The Mariners fall 7-3 to the Brewers on Friday afternoon, but Ryan Sloan shines brightly versus Major League Baseball’s top farm system.
Ryan Sloan has impressed so much during spring training in Peoria, that people are already suggesting he’s ahead of schedule for his ETA of 2028 in the majors. This line of thinking now has more fuel to add to the fire, following his dominate outing for the Mariners in Friday afternoon’s Spring Breakout game versus the Brewers.
The Mariners prospects might have lost 7-3 at American Family Fields of Phoenix, but the main takeaway was the outstanding performance by Sloan. He went three shutout innings and did not allow a single hit or walk over 39 pitches, while also striking out three batters.
Ryan Sloan dominates the top farm system in baseball
Making this outing even more impressive, is that Sloan managed it against what MLB Pipeline ranks as the number one farm system in all of baseball. He struck out the first batter he faced on the day and the tone was set, as he reached 99 mph on his four-seam fastball and complimented this well with his slider, along with a cutter which is a more recent addition to his pitching arsenal.
You know Sloan was chomping at the bit to show what he could do, after impressing in his one Cactus League outing versus the Rangers at the beginning of the March with a shutout fourth inning which included one strikeout. He’s currently ranked as the number 33 prospect in baseball, but he’s going to rise sooner than later based on everything he’s doing on the mound.
There’s little doubt of Sloan’s confidence in his abilities (and with good reason), as he discussed with the media. As per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, he said:
“I’ve put in a lot of work to allow me to be confident out here. My main goal was kind of just like, and I’ve been working on it a lot, making it where the only thoughts are me versus the batter. … I know I have good stuff, and I want the hitter to feel that. They also know that.”
Mariners excited for the future of their rotation
Sloan’s confidence was highlighted by sticking to his gameplan and not being deterred, despite a first-pitch temperature of more than 100 degrees. He said:
“I kind of just went into it with the mindset of, ‘I’m not going to let the environment dictate my process. I did that my first Spring Training game and kind of stuck with that. I think it kind of keeps me in control, keeps me slowed down, keeps me with what I know works.”
The future really does look bright for the 20-year-old, who stands at an imposing 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, highlighted by a pair of tree trunks for legs. Mariners fans will do well to keep a regular eye on him in the minors this coming season.
Other Spring Breakout game notes
It wasn’t such a good outing for the Mariners’ other top pitching prospect Kade Anderson. His location was poor as he allowed four hits, four walks and five runs (four earned) in 2.0 innings.
Even though the Mariners lost 7-3, they did outhit the Brewers 10-9. Leading the way was Lazaro Montes, who had three hits and two RBI in three at-bats.
Outfielder Yorger Bautista also deserves credit for his outing as the Mariners’ designated hitter. Ranked 10th in the organization’s farm system, he lived up to his nickname of “The Beast” with a triple and a solo blast, while also adding a walk and scoring a run in three at-bats.
Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography
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