The Seattle Mariners had five players named to MLB’s Top 100 prospects list for 2012:
C Jesus Montero (#12), LHP Danny Hultzen (#16), RHP Taijuan Walker (#18), INF Nick Franklin (#52), and LHP James Paxton (#77) all made the grade for the M’s this season.
Walker, 19, was the Mariners Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2011 going 6-5 with a 2.89 ERA (31 ER, 96.2 IP) with Single-A Clinton.
As for Paxton, 23, was recently named the No. 8 left-handed pitching prospect by MLB.com (Hultzen was No. 3). He made his 2011 debut with a 6-3 with a 2.37 ERA (25 ER, 95.0 IP) in 17 starts with A Clinton and AA Jackson.
Franklin, 20, is seen as the No. 6 shortstop prospect in MLB right now. Franklin hit .281with 64 runs scored, 13 doubles, 7 triples, 7 home runs and 26 RBI with the AZL Mariners, High Desert and Jackson. He was also the 2011 MVP of the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game.
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