General manager Jerry Dipoto paced in anticipation as he waited for what seemed like an interminable commercial break to be finished and the MLB Network telecast to resume so commissioner Rob Manfred could announce his first draft pick as general manager of the Mariners.
When the speakerphone, finally relayed the announcement: “The Mariners select outfielder Kyle Lewis from Mercer University,” the makeshift draft room in Safeco Field, that included CEO Howard Lincoln, team president Kevin Mather and the Mariners’ array of scouts and cross checkers stood and applauded and offered handshakes around.
Getting Lewis with No.