SAN DIEGO — The Mariners had a list of just two players — both pitchers — whom they wanted to select, if available, with the sixth overall pick in the Thursday’s Rule 5 draft. If neither pitcher was available, they would pass.
Fortunately for general manager Jerry Dipoto, that narrow range was still rewarded. The Mariners selected hard-throwing right-handed pitcher Yohan Ramirez from the Houston Astros organization.
Ramirez, 24, has a fastball that reaches the high 90s and shown the ability to pile up strikeouts and pitch multiple innings in relief or start when needed.