Bobby Livingston

A top Mariners prospect just last season, Livingston's stock dropped so much that the Mariners designated him for assignment in December. The Devil Rays claimed him before trading him for cash to Philadelphia, but that transaction was voided by the Commissioner's office, and the Reds subsequently claimed him off waivers. Livingston watched his strikeout rate drop from 6.37 K/9 in 2005 to 4.58 last season and his K:BB went from nearly 3:1 to less than 2:1. In three early season appearances for the Mariners, Livingston was roughed up for 10 runs in five innings and never made it back to Seattle.

Livingston is the Mariners' top starting pitcher prospect. The lefty showed outstanding control at both Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tacoma last season, striking out 119 and walking 42 in 168 innings. He's only 23 and has a bright future as long as he stays healthy, always a concern in the injury plagued Mariners system.

Livingston is one of the Mariners' top pitching prospects, although he'll take a slower route to Seattle than phenom Felix Hernandez, with whom he provided a tremendous one-two punch for high Single-A Inland Empire last season. Livingston finished second in the California League in wins. Most impressive, though, is his nearly 141/30 K/BB ratio in 186.7 innings. Good keeper candidate.