Mariners Prospect No. 20: Steven Proscia

Steven Proscia, 3B/1B, High Desert Mavericks (A+, 22.7 years old on average in 2011)

6-2, 210 lbs, 22 years old

Bats: Right, Throws: Right

Acquired: 2011 Amateur Draft (7^th round)

ETA: 2015

When the Mariners drafted Danny Hultzen last year from the University of Virginia, they weren’t shy about drafting his teammates, akin to the way they drafted Kyle Seager and Brian Moran the same year they drafted Dustin Ackley. They had a scouting advantage on Virginia players, because they undoubtedly watched a lot of Virginia baseball. In this case they drafted John Hicks and Steven Proscia. Hicks has some serious warts as a future catcher, but Proscia hit the ground running in his first go at pro ball. He hit .303/.319/.568 with 12 homeruns and 11 doubles at High Desert, which is a hitter’s haven, but certainly higher-level competition than he faced in college. Proscia will have questions as to where he’ll play on defense, and a right-handed first baseman doesn’t play well in Safeco Field, and he needs to walk more. However, his contact rates seem high and his power is present. If he sticks at third he’s got a very promising future.

Potential (of 40): 29

Probability of Success (of 30): 8

Positional value (of 20): 6

Character (of 10): 10

OVERALL: 53

Check out the rest of the Mariners Top 25 Prospects.