Farm Report: Balentien showing outstanding progress

When the Mariners traded outfield prospect Adam Jones to Baltimore as part of the package that brought ace Erik Bedard to Seattle, part of the club's rationale was the depth behind Jones in the farm system.

Outfield prospect Wladimir Balentien, 23, has performed well at every level of the minors and turned his game up a notch last season at Triple-A Tacoma. He has always had middle-of-the-order power, but was more of a slugger than a hitter until the 2007 season.

"He was a free swinger, really," said one American League scout. "Not really all-or-nothing, but close. Lots of problems making contact and his swing was longer than ideal."

Balentien came into 2007 having posted 300 strikeouts over the previous two seasons. The power remained, but the whiffs were holding him back. And then he flipped the switch.

"It just looked like it started clicking for him, not one thing in particular," said the scout. "He began to stay off that breaking ball away and put himself into better counts."

Balentien hit .291 with 24 home runs and 24 doubles in 124 games for Tacoma last season and reduced his strikeout total from 140 to 105 in the same number of plate appearances. He also induced 54 walks and continued to play solid defense.

"His power is what's interesting," the scout said. "His big power swing is still there, but it's quicker and shorter, which has helped him make contact.

"He's improved from year to year, and that's a good sign for a young player. Without a stall in his development along the way, you can have more confidence that his physical projection can work itself out ... I think there are 30 home runs in that bat, and maybe 30 or 40 doubles."

But Balentien is not just a slugger anymore. Progress with his strike zone judgment and overall plate discipline have his hitting coach thinking big things are ahead for the Curacao native, who is making a case for a promotion to Seattle with a strong showing in Tacoma this month.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder smacked three home runs in Tacoma's 15-9 victory over New Orleans Monday night at Cheney Stadium, the final round-tripper being of the inside-the-park variety. He drove in five runs, and with his race around the bases in the eighth inning, showed the knee injury (earlier this season) is certainly not going to stop him.

"He was on every pitch all night," said an AL Central scout in attendance. "He's strong and may not have even got all of any of them, and they all went soaring. He showed he can run, too. That wasn't a gift four-bagger there -- he was moving."

"Wlad has made strides in all areas the past year or so," said Rainiers hitting instructor Alonzo Powell. "He's putting together good at-bats, grinding them out, and he gets good pitches to hit more often than he was before.

"He's not a swinger, he's a hitter, and that's what we've worked on since day one. He has a chance to be a really good run producer."

Powell agrees with scouts that Balentien's defense could prove to be just as valuable to the 2008 Mariners as might his offensive production.

"He gets good reads out there, and he can play in either corner," said Powell, a former outfielder who played 15 professional seasons in the states and five more in Japan.

The scout's take on Balentien further suggests he's closer to the big leagues than teammate Jeff Clement, the Rainiers' power-hitting catcher.

"The Mariners could use some defense in the corners of their outfield, in my opinion," he said. "In left field, when they're home, there is so much ground to cover, and without a lot of offense they need to prevent runs any way they can. Balentien is a capable defender in either corner, and he's not going to hurt a lineup with his bat. He can hit, too.

"Last I checked, Seattle could use help in either corner, and it's not just an offensive problem. I really think Balentien is someone who would make them better right now. I think a lot of people underestimate his future."

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

The Mariners' top prospects not currently in the major leagues:

1. Carlos Triunfel, SS, High Desert (High Class A): 18-year-old has three multihit games in the past week as he shakes off the rust.

2. Jeff Clement, C, Tacoma (Triple-A): Catcher continues to mash; .397/.526/.685 with five homers and 21 walks.

3. Wladimir Balentien, RF, Tacoma: One of four Rainiers hitters with an OPS over .900 after three-homer night.

4. Phillipe Aumont, RHP, Wisconsin (Class A): Has not allowed an earned run in 11 2/3 innings this season.

5. Michael Saunders, CF, West Tenn (Double-A): Lefty is hitting .319/.417/.528 since move into leadoff spot in third game of year.

6. Matt Tuiasosopo, 3B, Tacoma: 22-year-old proving he belongs with 13 hits in past 34 at-bats.

7. Juan Ramirez, RHP, Wisconsin: Went seven strong innings and whiffed a career-high nine Monday night.

8. Adam Moore, C, West Tenn: Improved defense and contact rate have scouts thinking he's a big league backstop.

9. Kyle Parker, RHP, High Desert: At 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA and a 32-8 K/BB ratio, the former UW star is opening eyes.

10. Nathan Adcock, RHP, Wisconsin: Projectable right-hander has three quality starts and 21 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings.