The Seattle Mariners decided to stay in state with their first selection on day 2 of the the Major League Baseball amateur draft. Seattle selected Gonzaga relief pitcher Wyatt Miles in the 3rd round with the 93rd overall selection.
Miles was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 17th round in 2016, but chose to return to the Bulldogs for his senior season. He helped Gonzaga win the West Coast Conference Championship posting 12 saves and a 1.79 ERA. He had 58 strikeouts with just 4 walks, two of them intentionally.
The Spokane native told KPUG he’s been a Seattle Mariner fan his entire life, “The player I’ve always looked up to is Steve Cishek, because he’s a fellow side-armer like myself. ”
LISTEN: New Seattle Mariners draftee Wyatt Mills in The Zone on KPUG
Scott Hunter, the Mariners Director of Amateur Scouting describes Mills a a guy with major league value, who could be there quick. “He’s the type of guy that you get into the system, there’s not much more he can do other than go out and keep performing,” said Hunter. “He could be a quick mover if he keeps doing the things that he’s doing right now.”
Gonzaga pitcher Wyatt Mills. Photo supplied to KPUG/CRG
courtesy of Gonzaga Athletics. Photographer: Katie Meyers/For
Gonzaga Athletics
Mills’ parents lived in Bellingham before relocating to Spokane in 1993. The right-handed pitcher called the process of going from Gonzaga Prep High School to Gonzaga University and staying in state to play for the Mariners a “surreal moment”.
Mills says he’s been told he’s has a 99% chance of playing for the Single-A Everett AquaSox who open their season on Thursday.
(KPUG – Doug Lange)
