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A Closer Look at the Utilityman the Mariners Acquired from the Cubs

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On Monday, the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners completed a late-night trade that sent RHP Tyson Miller to Chicago and Jake Slaughter to Seattle. Chicago has already made room on their 40-man roster for Miller, designating Richard Lovelady for assignment. The move makes sense for the Cubbies, who need to work on their bullpen issues. What exactly does Seattle plan on doing with Slaughter though?  Who is this 27-year-old who has yet to take an at-bat in the major leagues?

Mariners Trade for Jake Slaughter

Slaughter, the 6’1 utility infielder, was drafted by the Cubs out of high school but opted to play college ball for LSU. During his freshman year, he would be part of a very successful LSU baseball team. LSU won its division, conference, and conference tournament and played in Omaha in the College World Series.  During the second round of the CWS, LSU played Florida State. Jake Slaughter hit a three-run home run en route to a 7-4 victory over the ‘Noles. Slaughter started four games in the CWS in 2017, going  4-15 with one home run and three RBI during LSU’s second-place finish.

In the Minors: 2018-2023

After a successful sophomore season at LSU, Slaughter was drafted for the second time by the Chicago Cubs in the 18th round. He spent the next four years floating between low Single-A and Double-A.  Slaughter began to hit his stride in 2022, hitting 23 home runs between Single-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee. This was enough to get promoted to Triple-A Iowa in 2023.  Slaughter continued to hit for power in 2023 and also picked up double-digit stolen bases for the third year in a row.  This was good enough to get a third invite to Spring Training in 2024. In nine at-bats, he hit .444 with one home run and three runs batted in.

During his four years in the minor leagues, Slaughter has played almost every position in the field.  While he has been serviceable in almost every position, à la Ben Zobrist, he primarily plays second base and third base.  In 2023 Slaughter played over 40 games at both second base and third base, sporting a .974 and .971 fielding percentage respectively.

Jake Slaughter 2024

So far in 2024, Jake has continued to improve, as he has every season, in almost every offensive category.  Slaughter is currently slashing .297/.392./.487/.879 through 32 games with Triple-A Iowa. He has been primarily used in the field as a second baseman, seeing action in the middle of the field in more than half of his games. Slaughter continues to swipe bags as well, already with ten stolen bases just a quarter of the way through the season.

What’s Next?

Now with Seattle, Jake will most likely head off to Triple-A Tacoma with no room on the 40-man roster. Ryan Bliss is probably the most major league-ready to play second base for Seattle currently. Bliss has an average bat and average power, but already has 21 stolen bases this season with Triple-A Tacoma. Cole Young is with Double-A Arkansas and is Seattle’s top prospect, but he isn’t ready.  With Jorge Polanco struggling at the plate, like all Mariners, there’s a chance Slaughter makes his way to Seattle sooner rather than later.

 

Photo Credit: © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

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