The new season kicks off tonight for two Mariner affiliates, inclu
The Mariners have added a new rookie-level affiliate to the organization this season in Pulaski, Virginia. The Pulaski Mariners will begin their inaugural season tonight when they travel to Princteton, West Virginia to start a three-game series with the Rays. The P-Mariners are part of the 10-team Appalachian League, a league that dates back to 1937. Pulaski has been affiliated with six different franchises since 1952. Their affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays ended in 2006 and Pulaski spent 2007 without a team. The team plays at historic Calfee Park, a 2,500-seat stadium that was built in 1935. The park is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The P-Mariners’ opening day roster features nine draft picks from this month’s amateur draft, including P Kenn Kasparek (12th round), OF Jacob Shaffer (15th round), P Taylor Lewis (19th round), and IF Fred Bello (20th round). There are also players from a wide variety of countries, including Australia, South Africa, and the Netherlands. The team will be managed by Rob Mummau, who is in his seventh year in the Mariners organization, but his first as a manager. The 36-year-old Mummau played eight years in the Blue Jays organization before moving into scouting.
On the opposite coast, the Everett AquaSox are set to begin their season tonight in Spokane. Six of the M’s top-20 picks in this year’s draft are on the Everett roster, including P Brett Lorin (5th round), 3B Nate Tenbrink (7th), and P Bobby LaFromboise (8th). The rest of the roster is comprised of returning AquaSox and members of last season’s Arizona League champion Peoria. Jose Moreno enters his first season as manager, after spending last season managing the team in Peoria. He helmed the Mariners’ VSL team from 2001-2006. Doug Salinas, who started 15 games for the Sox last season, will get the start in the opener.