By now you know the narrative. The Seattle Mariners have been linked heavily to guys like UCLA shortstop Matt McLain, Boston College outfielder Sal Frelick and Sam Houston State outfielder Colton Cowser. These guys makes sense Seattle at pick no. 12 and fit the team’s draft model. High-contact, low-strikeout bats with college experience and some track record to their names. They dominate the zone, and they have for a couple years now.
But the 2021 MLB Draft is a different animal than the last couple iterations. General Manager Jerry Dipoto and Scouting Director Scott Hunter don’t have the luxury of a competitive balance pick to help fluff the team’s maneuverable bonus pool.