We get so excited about the newest Mariners prospect. We hold this hope that he will become a rising phenom and draw everyone out to the ballpark. But unfortunately, the amount of successful homegrown Mariners has been dark in recent years.
Just with Mariner hitters, can you name one homegrown guy who met expectations? Dustin Ackley. Nick Franklin. Brad Miller. Mike Zunino. All are fairly recent call-ups and none achieved as hoped for with the big league club. It makes you wonder if the Mariners lack that swagger a team should have in terms of grooming a player.