Carlos Triunfel

The question everyone has been dying to know: Who IS Carlos Triunfel? He's a 17 year old SS from the Dominican Republic whom the Mariners signed this last year for a reported $1.3 million dollar bonus (other reports say $1.6 mil). Considered a top 5 international signing from last year (Venezualan Catcher Jesus Montero to the yankees is considered the top signing) but really its a crap shoot this early... Also it seems that the Mariners are known throughout the league as being maybe the most aggressive in terms of promoting top batting prospects, and Triunfel is no different. While many of the other signings are still working in rookie league programs, the Mariners already promoted Carlos to Low-A Wisconsin where he hit .309/.342/.388, before moving on to high single A High Desert where he went 4-for-5 in his second start. Doesn't project to be anywhere near the majors soon as Yuni is holding down the fort, but don't rule out a move to third to replace AB towards the end of his contract. Carlos has had some trouble at SS (ala BJ Upton) and with a cannon arm, not to mention his expected growth, he would most likely project as a 3B or corner outfielder. and, as I said, hes a 17 year old kid just out of the Dominican, so there is not a whole lot of info about him yet and its much to quick to judge his future, but be sure to keep an eye on him as he grows.
A side note, it appears as if the Mariners Low-A system is chock full of talent, as discussed here, and here by the USS Mariner.

• Big news for you Mariner's watchers. Dave Sims has the week off so now's your chance to enjoy some good Mariners baseball without having to hear him (although there is some new kid calling the game right now, and he is HORRIBLE... I mean H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E) and it was nice getting to hear Rizzs again on TV. (Re-united with Dave Valle! Combine that with King Felix starting and I haven't been this pumped about an M's game in a while)
• *UPDATE* Apparently Sims is "under the weather"... which could mean he still takes a week or is day to day... lets hope for the former