The Seattle Mariners’ farm system has long had a reputation for developing big-league arms, and for many years, chewing up and spitting out bats. Lately, Double-A Arkansas has lived up to that reputation, once again putting the screws to some of the organization’s most promising young hitters.
First, it was Lazaro Montes. The highly-touted slugger arrived in North Little Rock with a hot bat and big expectations, only to quickly find himself staring down the kind of adjustments that test even the most polished prospects. Now, Michael Arroyo has joined him in the firing line.