After spending his first offseason with the Mariners overhauling the major-league roster, general manager Jerry Dipoto still has work left in terms of rebuilding a depleted farm system.
ESPN analyst Keith Law this week ranked the Mariners' minor-league system 28th in baseball, down from 21st last year.
A big reason for the drop-off was a down season from right fielder Alex Jackson.
The 20-year-old was the Mariners' first-round pick (sixth overall) in the 2014 MLB draft. Last season, he batted a combined .207 with 17 doubles, eight homers and 38 RBIs in 76 games combined between Short-A Everett and Class-A Clinton.