Seattle Mariners

We hear about them on TV, we see them in the newspaper, and we research them on the computer; not all of them, however. Prospects are among the most exciting factors of the baseball world.

If you look at a team's success, they are most successful when they are built up of home grown talent rather than record-breaking free-agent signings.

The Mariners had forgotten that concept and now they are coming off a 61-101 season. But don't worry, the farm system is stocked with young talent, and now, with Jack Zduriencik at the helm, that is not going to be changing.

Ichiro Suzuki (SEA, OF)

Ichiro has been placed on the DL for fatigue and a bleeding ulcer. Ouch.

Travis Hafner (CLE, DH)

Pronk has finally found his pop. With zero home runs in his first 41 spring at-bats, he has hit two long balls in his last three games.

Andre Ethier (LAD, OF)

Ethier went yard and added a triple on Thursday. Big things expected from Andre this year.

Mark Teahen (KC, OF/2B)

With Ichiro out for 15 days with a bleeding ulcer, this change can't be effective immediately, but it might be a good idea.

Ichiro is not none for power; many analysts have said "he could hit for power if he wanted."

Well, from the M's three spot, they don't need too much power.

Yet, Ichiro seems to have the perfect amount of power.

Today it was reported that the Seattle Mariner's all-star lead off man, Ichiro Suzuki would be out for 15 days with a bleeding ulcer.  Mariners fans are all hoping he gets better soon, because he is the club's lead-off man.

Now, while a bleeding ulcer sounds painful, and can be deadly if not treated, there are other things to discus, other than the injury.

Who will be the first man to step into the batter's box on Monday?

In the major leagues, there seem only four options:

Franklin Gutierrez

*From Protect the Plate

After winning 88 games in 2007, the Mariners were expected to contend for the American League West title last season. Instead, they fell apart, posting the worst record in the AL, and losing 100 games for the first time since 1983.

With a whole new coaching staff headed by first-time manager Don Wakamatsu, the Mariners hope to bounce back in a big way in 2009.

Mr. 200

Year after year, fans seem to really dig the long ball and completely forget about the players who will pitch almost half of the game, the bullpen.

The bullpen is home to some and a foot into the door (AKA starting rotation) to others. As for the 2010 Seattle Mariners, they have three stud closer prospects in the same bullpen.

If I remember correctly, the last team to have only two stud closers was the 1998 New York Yankees, and one wasn't even a prospect. They were John Wetteland and Mariano Rivera.

Projected Starters: 1B Russell Branyan; 2B Jose Lopez; 3B Adrian Beltre; SS Yuniesky Betancourt.

Bench: 2B/SS Ronny Cedeno.

Fighting for a spot: 1B Mike Sweeney; 1B Chris Shelton; 2B/SS Reegie Corona.