Seattle, WA

Drayer’s Mariners Observations: 3 things from big day in Mesa

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2023

Drayer’s Mariners Observations: 3 things from big day in Mesa

A fast examine in from chilly and windy Mesa, Ariz., with an replace on Wednesday morning’s Mariners pocket book. There was certainly loads to look at search for.

Mariners’ Servais: How depth past MLB roster is shining for Seattle

Let’s return by some issues I discussed earlier than Wednesday’s recreation and comply with up with what occurred in opposition to the Cubs, a contest that had loads of optimistic moments for Seattle though Chicago gained 5-3.

New Mariners 1-2 punch?

• From Wednesday morning: (Julio) Rodríguez and (Jarred) Kelenic at 1-2, dare to dream. As I’ve mentioned a number of occasions on the radio, far too quickly on Kelenic – the true solutions will come when he faces pitchers in-season – however what we now have seen in Peoria is encouraging.

The dream lives. Once more, that is spring coaching and the true solutions with Kelenic will come within the common season, however man, watching Julio and Kelenic batting 1-2 within the lineup, how are you going to not dare to dream just a bit bit with back-to-back dwelling runs in opposition to former Mariners pitcher Roenis Elías within the fifth inning?

Watch movies of Julio and Kelenic’s back-to-back homers right here

It was Rodríguez’s first dwelling run of the spring, the third for Kelenic. And whereas it’s good to see the outcomes, even higher to see the method, in response to Mariners supervisor Scott Servais after the sport.

“I assumed Kelenic once more swung the bat rather well,” he mentioned. “The strategy is basically good. He’s very calm. It doesn’t appear like he will get ticked off each time he will get his pitch and fouls it again or perhaps he will get a foul name in opposition to him. Issues he doesn’t let get in the way in which of ending off the at-bat or turning the following at-bat right into a optimistic. Actually good indicators. His swing’s in a great spot proper now, he’s in a extremely great place mentally as effectively.”

Ray’s huge day

• On the hill Wednesday, we get our second have a look at Robbie Ray this spring. Will probably be fascinating to see if the 2021 American League Cy Younger Award winner throws his new splitter extra.

In his first outing of the spring, Ray threw the brand new splitter simply as soon as as catcher Tom Murphy deliberate to name it provided that the scenario warranted in an look the place he would get simply two innings. Wednesday, Murphy acquired the chance to name the pitch extra.

“I threw the whole lot,” mentioned Ray. “The four-seam was actually good, threw some actually good splitters and my slider was nearly as good because it’s ever been. Fairly proud of the whole lot.”

Ray admitted that he’s nonetheless getting accustomed to when to throw the splitter as he hasn’t had a pitch like that previously. Because it seems like a pitch he’ll be capable to take into the season, he’ll get with the coaches and catchers to determine when to make use of it. It’s a pitch he’s excited to pair along with his slider that was notably good in opposition to Chicago.

“Immediately I felt like I might have thrown it in any rely and it was a swing and miss,” he mentioned. “My slider is getting extra depth than it has in years previous so these two pitches, if I can play them off one another going to reverse sides of the plate, that’s going to be actually good.”

Ray struck out 5, all in a row, in his three innings and hit 95 mph with the fastball a number of occasions within the first inning. That’s velocity he didn’t have early on final season. An encouraging signal.

Depart on a very good notice

• With Staff Italy enjoying its video games in Taiwan, (Matt) Festa will depart for the World Baseball Basic on Thursday.

Festa threw a 1-2-3 fifth inning, putting out one for the Mariners. His reward? A 15-hour flight Thursday.

Up subsequent: Logan Gilbert’s spring debut Thursday because the Mariners host the Padres again in Peoria.

Julio Rodríguez on 2023 Mariners: “I don’t wish to set limits for any of us”

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Mariners Under the Radar Prospect ‘Expected to Get a Chance’ in Spring Training

Published

5 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Mariners Under the Radar Prospect ‘Expected to Get a Chance’ in Spring Training

After years of being pitching-heavy on the prospect front, the Seattle Mariners finally have a glut of position player prospects to be excited about.

Cole Young, Colt Emerson, Jonny Farmelo, Michael Arroyo and Laz Montes are all generating real buzz for the Mariners and could make up the next core of the organization.

However, there’s one under-the-radar prospect also generating buzz and that’s third baseman Ben Williamson.

And according to a recent story from the Seattle Times, Williamson could get an opportunity to make the team out of spring training.

Third baseman Ben Williamson, 24, is expected to get a chance in spring training too after a solid season in Arkansas. In 95 games at Class AA this year, Williamson slashed .272/.365/.374 (.739 OPS) with three homers, two triples, 23 doubles and 15 steals.

A second-round pick in 2023, Williamson has earned a reputation as one of the best defensive third baseman in the minors.

In an offseason defined, so far, by their inaction, the Mariners remain on the prowl for two new infielders. What will they do? What can they afford to do? @A_Jude explores: https://t.co/6yLXpzwY5h
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) December 28, 2024

The Mariners are said to be looking for two infielders this offseason. Should they fill first base and second base externally, they could look to third base internally. Dylan Moore is an option to assume that position, but the team could give Williamson a shot out of camp, or could bring him up early in the year if he starts well in the minors.

Williamson is currently ranked as the No. 15 prospect in the organization, per MLB.com. He was drafted in the second round out of William & Mary back in the 2023 draft.

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE.

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Seattle, WA

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: Anything more to add to our NYE/NYD list?

Published

12 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Press Room

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: Anything more to add to our NYE/NYD list?

(2021 reader photo by Claire)

On Tuesday night, some will stay home with a bottle of bubbly (inflatable or otherwise) to say goodbye to 2024. Others will head out. And if that’s your plan, all the better if you can celebrate right here on the peninsula. So we want to be sure our Holiday Guide‘s New Year’s list has all the options. If you know of something we’re missing – bar party? live music? late dinner with a midnight toast? organized run? or? – please send the info so we can add it to the list ASAP! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.

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Seattle, WA

Last call at Merchant’s Cafe & Saloon: Seattle’s oldest bar set to close

Published

21 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Press Room

Last call at Merchant’s Cafe & Saloon: Seattle’s oldest bar set to close

Seattle’s longest-running bar is set to close its doors at the end of the year. The historic site is known for its ghost stories, pressed-tin ceiling, and buckboard floors in the heart of Pioneer Square. There are murmurs the bar could reopen after a renovation in spring, but that’s still uncertain.

In the Merchant’s basement, daylight shines down through the small purple glass windows in the sidewalk above. The city’s oldest saloon sits at a main intersection of the city’s oldest neighborhood, forever tied to Seattle’s history.

First opened in 1890 before moving to its current spot in 1907, Merchant’s originally offered gambling and a brothel during Seattle’s early gritty days. Bartenders there say the current owners plan to close the bar next week.

“I had to let everyone go, it was pretty sudden,” says Anthony Powell, a supervisor and manager at Merchant’s. “I just told everyone: ‘work ‘til the end of the year and that’s it.’”

One bartender who got hired less than six months ago says he got almost no notice that Friday would be his last shift. That’s the nature of the business, he shrugged.

Powell says he got word from owner Darcy Hanson in early December that the bar would be closing. Hanson did not respond to KUOW’s requests for comment. There are rumors among the remaining staff that the owners want to renovate the interior and re-open the historic watering hole in the spring, but nothing’s been confirmed.

Few bars in Seattle carry the ambiance that Merchant’s offers. A giant, century-old wooden bar stretches along one side of the room. Hardwood floors worn smooth by over a hundred years of patrons and partiers. According to the bar’s website, nearly everything in the place is haunted, from the paintings on the wall to the wall of wine bottles.

After decades of serving Seattle, Merchant’s is starting to show its age. Powell says some parts of the saloon do need updating.

“I mean, it’s the oldest bar in Seattle,” Powell says looking over the barroom. “Our electrical is shot behind this bar completely, the coolers are over 35 years old. A lot of stuff doesn’t work.”

That’s the charm that comes with a place as old as the cobblestones out on Yesler Street. Merchant’s, a dive bar according to Powell, doesn’t feature fancy lighting or a new sound system like the nightclubs around the corner. In one smoky corner of Merchant’s, deep leather couches almost disappear in the shadows.

Stepping down the stairs to the bathroom is like stepping back in time. The exposed rock walls feel like a private cellar or speakeasy. Pioneer Square’s signature purple glass sidewalk windows can be seen clearly down here, a view you can usually only find during an underground tour.

Powell, who has worked at Merchant’s for a little over four years, says business has been pretty slow recently. Like a lot of neighborhoods in Seattle, Pioneer Square is struggling to attract more customers. The pandemic didn’t help a sleepy bar like Merchant’s.

Still, Powell says, the bar is a regular stop for sports fans heading to the nearby stadiums and tourists who want to experience a piece of Seattle history. A lot of people come in to raise a glass just to say they’ve had a drink at the spot, Powell says.

This month, the bar had its busiest weekends of the year thanks to the annual SantaCon pub crawl. Powell says he was hoping they would be open next year when SantaCon organizers want to extend the event to all four Saturdays of December – but it looks like that won’t happen.

Merchant’s is hosting a farewell party on Monday, December 30. Powell says he’ll be working with longtime bartender Michael Harris to pour the final drinks at the oldest place in town.

“It was a great experience, I loved it,” Powell says, “the people that come through are really great. You meet a lot of people around the world, because it’s a tourist bar, they love to come here. So I’m sad to see it go for sure.”

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