Wladimir Balentien

Balentien's promotion to the big league club last season proved what most feared: he can crush a fastball but is easily fooled by breaking pitches. Balentien struck out 79 times in 71 games in two stints in Seattle, drawing just 16 walks. He had 20 extra-base hits in that time, but his plate discipline continues to be an issue, and where he fits in the plans of the new front-office regime remains to be seen. Left field is open with Raul Ibanez out of the picture, but Balentien needs to hit to stay in the lineup, assuming the Mariners don't go another route altogether in the offseason.

Seattle's best prospect outside of Adam Jones, Balentien was named the Pacific Coast League rookie of the year last season after hitting .291 with 24 homers, 24 doubles and 84 RBI. He cut his strikeout rate from one in every 3.1 at-bats the previous two years to one every 4.5 at-bats last year. In his last three minor league seasons, Balentien averaged 28 doubles and 24 homers. Although a late-season callup netted him just three pinch-hit at-bats, he homered and doubled, driving in four runs. With Jones already slated for right field in 2008, general manager Bill Bavasi said he doesn't want to start the season with two youngsters in the outfield, which means Balentien is headed for Triple-A again. That's even if he's in the organization come April. The Mariners are in serious need of starting pitching, and Balentien is a prime trade chip.

No one doubts Balentien's muscle. He has some of the best raw power in the minors, hitting 22 homers and 23 doubles in 2006 to give him 47 homers and 61 doubles in the last two years. But he still has a problem with contact. After one strikeout every 3.0 AB at high-A Inland Empire in 2005, he whiffed once every 3.1 AB at Double-A San Antonio in 2006. Balentien shortened his swing to improve his contact rate, but it didn't seem to help as his average dropped to .230 last season. His batting eye improved, though, which is an encouraging sign. Balentien is only 22, so he still has time to figure it out as one of the organization's top 10 prospects.

Balentien has exceptional raw power (25 HR, .553 SLG at High-A Inland Empire), but his "swing from the heels" approach to hitting still worries scouts. His K-rate remains very high (160 strikeouts in 123 games last season), and doubts remain about his ability to handle breaking pitches and changeups against better pitchers. He kills fastballs, but still struggles against other stuff. Double-A will be the true test of his prospect status in 2006.

Balentien is the top power prospect in the Mariners system. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts, though, since he averages a strikeout every 3.3 at-bats. He's a player to keep an eye on as he works his way up the organizational ladder, but don't expect him in Seattle anytime soon.