Mariners phenom Michael Arroyo starts spring with Aaron Judge-level stat

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Mariners phenom Michael Arroyo starts spring with Aaron Judge-level stat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Michael Arroyo has begun the spring on fire.

Soon, the top-100 prospect will leave the Seattle Mariners to play in the World Baseball Classic for Colombia. He certainly looks ready.

MLB.com's Sam Dykstra listed Arroyo as one of the five prospects off to the best start in the very early stages of Spring Training.

Arroyo homered in his very first at bat, and he hasn't slowed down yet.

"Arroyo homered in his first Cactus League at-bat on Friday with a 406-foot blast to right-center off Padres lefty Jagger Haynes," Dykstra writes. "The dinger actually came on an 0-2 count, but Arroyo read Haynes’ changeup well before crushing it the other way. Toss in his game Sunday against the Reds, and Arroyo now has three barrels in just five plate appearances. That’s the most by any hitter in Spring Training, beating out Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso, who have two homers each. For what it’s worth, there’s been talk of moving Arroyo to the outfield, but he’s been second base-only through the week."

MORE: Yankees making history not done since 1889 Chicago White Stockings

It certainly looks like Arroyo's bat will play.

The position question will be another one entirely. With the likes of Brendan Donovan and J.P. Crawford established in the infield, and with prospects Colt Emerson and Cole Young ready, too, there isn't a lot of room there.

Arroyo might have better success this season and next in the big leagues if he can play the outfield.

The Mariners likely have played him so far in the way he'll be deployed for Colombia, and when he returns, Arroyo can work on expanding his game defensively.

If his bat hits like this, his defensive position will simply be a bonus.

More MLB news:​

• Team USA has a finalized WBC roster and an awesome lineup
• Dominican Republic WBC roster is loaded with stars
• An Edwin Diaz nightmare looms for the Mets
• Buster Posey will change Hall of Fame voting forever
• How Jose Ramirez is on pace to become Cleveland's Derek Jeter
• Phillies' phenom has an MLB All-Star father

Continue reading...