2014 Prospect Countdown: #33 Michael Mariot

33. Michael Mariot Right Handed Pitcher

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Age: 25
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Drafted 8th Round of 2010 Amateur Draft
From: Southlake, Texas

2013 Rank: 23

2012 Rank: 44

Landon Adams (NR): At this stage of his career, Mariot profiles as a middle reliever. He has a good fastball but the last of a quality secondary offering places him low on the bullpen totem pole for 2014. Mariot's has been nails against right handed hitters throughout his career allowing just .656 OPS against them. However, as the former 8th round pick progressed up the ladder, his susceptibility against left handed hitters has become more pronounced. Before he gets a shot at the Major League level, he will need to correct the .867 OPS that he allowed to lefties in 2013. 

Paden Bennett (NR): My love for Michael Mariot has gone downhill, not because he has pitched poorly but because it looks like he is going to be a reliever for sure.  All but one of his outings last year were in relief and he did pitch pretty well with 66 k's in 60 innings.  However, I always had the hope that this guy would become a solid back of the rotation starter and it doesn't look like this is going to happen.

Joe Cox (NR): Mariot made the move to AAA and stayed there all year, making all but one of his 47 appearances in relief.  Prior to 2013, the organization seemed unsure as to whether he should be developed as a starter or a reliever, but it appears the 25 year old will be used in the pen from here on out.  Mariot has a plus fastball that hits the low-mid 90’s, but I am not sure what his pitch mix looked like last season.  Mariot struck out an impressive 66 batters in 60.2 innings (9.79 SO/9), but sacrificed his typically stellar walk rate by walking 25 batters (3.71 BB/9).  As a result he compiled the highest WHIP of his career, though that could be partially contributed to bad luck due to his .335 BABIP.  While I could see Mariot make his big league debut this season, I see him as a guy who would only be brought up in replace of an injury or tired arms in the pen.  His stuff makes him good enough to be a nice organizational depth piece with the upside of a middle relief arm.

Dan Ware (22): Year after year, Mariot has been a model of consistency with era ranging from 3.33 to most recent 3.56 in his 4 year career.  Even though he has average stuff, he gets through his outings with strong command of those pitches.  His GB and FB percentages this past season were 41.1% and 38.7%, respectively, while collecting in 66 K and 25 BB in 60.2 innings. His K% increased a great deal, but his BB rate increased to just above the Pacific Coast League average of 9.6%.  For the first time in his short career, he was used primarily as a reliever, when previously he started 14 games in 2012 and 9 games in 2011.  I still see Mariot compared to a Nate Adcock or Everett Teaford, in that he will be used in spot starts or long relief if and when he's called up to the Royals.

Total Points: 9