Two Mariners players cited among Top 20 prospects in Hi-A Californina League

SEATTLE — The Mariners grabbed the final two slots in Baseball America’s ranking of the Top 20 prospects in the Hi-A California League in outfielder Tyler O’Neill at No. 19, and left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough at No. 20.

Both spent most of the season at Bakersfield.

O’Neill, 20, hit 32 homers despite playing just 106 games at Bakersfield. He missed three weeks in July while playing for Canada in the Pan American Games.

The Mariners selected O’Neill in the third round of the 2013 draft. He batted just .260 at Bakersfield but had 87 RBIs and a .558 slugging percentage.

"O’Neill’s struck out at a concerning rate (31 percent)," Baseball America reported, "but his pitch recognition and awareness improved after layoff. Likewise, his bat path to the ball became more direct.

"No-doubt power may end up being O’Neill’s only plus tool, but he can access it to all parts of the yard."

Yarbrough, 23, missed a month midway through the season because of a groin injury and spent rehab time at Lo-A Clinton and in the Arizona Rookie League. He was 4-7 with a 3.76 ERA in 14 starts at Bakersfield.

The Mariners selected Yarbrough in the fourth round of the 2014 draft as a senior at Old Dominion. He chose not to sign the previous year when picked in the 20th round by Milwaukee.

"Yarbrough throws with a crossfire motion reminiscent of Madison Bumgarner," Baseball America reported, "and he pounds both sides of the plate with running and sinking fastballs at 88-91 mph."

This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 10:40 AM with the headline "Two Mariners players cited among Top 20 prospects in Hi-A Californina League."