The Mariners announced Thursday that they’ve designated former top outfield prospect Taylor Trammell for assignment. He was out of minor league options and didn’t make Seattle’s Opening Day roster, necessitating the DFA.
Selected by the Reds with the No. 35 overall draft pick back in 2016, the now-26-year-old Trammell ranked among baseball’s top 100 prospects each year from 2018-21. Trammell has participated in a pair of Futures Games and twice been traded, most recently going from the Padres to the Mariners alongside Andres Munoz, Ty France and Luis Torrens in the deal sending Austin Nola, Austin Adams and Dan Altavilla back to San Diego.
At the time of that swap, a then-rebuilding Mariners club hoped to be adding another long-term building block. Seattle had enviable prospect depth in the outfield, headlined by Trammell, Jarred Kelenic and current face of the franchise Julio Rodriguez. Not all prospects pan out, however, as evidenced by the fact that Trammell and Kelenic are both off the 40-man roster — the latter no longer even in the organization.
Trammell has had multiple auditions with the Mariners, appearing in each of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. It’s arguable that he hasn’t been given a true big league run with consistent playing time and without fear of being sent back down due to a talented and crowded outfield mix, but he’s yet to prove he can handle big league pitching. In 351 MLB trips to the plate, he’s a .168/.270/.368 hitter with a massive 37% strikeout rate.
That said, Trammell has been vastly better in Triple-A. He’s spent parts of three seasons there as well, turning in a stout .274/.381/.506 batting line with a 24% strikeout rate that’s worlds better than his MLB clip. Trammell has shown off his eye at the plate both in the majors (11.1% walk rate) and in Triple-A (14%). Earlier in his career, the former two-sport star — he was an All-State runningback at his Georgia high school — was touted as a plus defender and plus runner, but he’s slowed down as he’s filled out his frame. Statcast ranked him in just the 43rd percentile of MLB players in average sprint speed last year, and his defensive grades from metrics like Outs Above Average and Defensive Runs Saved haven’t lined up with those encouraging scouting reports to date.
Trammell has probably hit for more power than was expected early in his prospect days. His .368 slugging isn’t much to look at, but when considering his low batting average, he’s sitting on a .200 ISO in his big league career. He’s also popped 38 homers in his 812 Triple-A plate appearances.
Since he’s out of minor league options, Trammell needs to either stick on a big league roster or else be passed through waivers. The Mariners will have the next five days to explore trade scenarios before they have to determine whether to place Trammell on waivers (which are a 48-hour process). Within a week’s time, we’ll know whether he’s been traded, claimed or cleared waivers. If he clears, the Mariners will be able to assign him outright to Triple-A Tacoma, retaining his rights without needing to dedicate a 40-man roster spot to him.
About time. He’s a good guy but can’t hit a lick at the Mlb level
I’m surprised they couldn’t find a trade partner but only a little surprised. It seems like this dude has been the top prospect on like nine teams.
That is pure BS.
How? He couldn’t hit at mlb level. He is a good minor league player
He was a top prospect for the Reds and Padres but thats it.
And them the M’s, so CCoops is hitting .333 after being 3 for 9.
Back to Padres to OF depth from LH side.
I am not surprised. Trammell had ample opportunities, to say the least. A hard call, but inevitable IMHO. He came so very close, but couldn’t quite make it. Too many good prospects crowding behind him. However, it will be interesting to see what happens to Trammell next. Sometimes a new team, and a change of scene . . .
Seemed like quite a few times he was going to breakout, but then had a setback. Still think he can carve out a stable spot on someone’s roster if given opportunity and health permitting.
Maybe a change in coaching? New approach?
A new swing.
Another version of Adell.
Last time I saw him in the bigs he was an above average OF defender so he’s got that going for him at least.
Well, this doesn’t rehab the Austin Nola trade (Ty France had 3 hits against the Pads the other day).
But Preller can now grab back a part of that outlay as outfield depth, if he wants to.
Team like Pitt should grab him and hope for a Jake Fraley type of turnaround(which I think is actually possible…this guy still has some tools at 26-yr old and an .887 career OPS in Triple-A/.920 OPS last year!) Good Luck Double TTrouble!! 🙂
Back to SD
I thought he may have been related to Alan Trammell. A visit to his baseball reference page with a quick glance of his picture put that theory to bed.
It’s a very distant relation.
I still think Trammell has the potential to become a decent MLB outfielder, even if it’s as a backup. Extremely toolsy, has crushed AAA pitching.
A terrible attitude and poor work ethic. He’s been viewed by teammates at every level of the game as a continuous distraction in the clubhouse and a horrible person to be associated with for even the shortest amount of time. He continued getting chances due to his alleged promise, but that seemingly has failed. Had he paid more attention to how his father Alan played the game rather than to the advice of his handlers he may well have realized his potential.
This might be the funniest comment I’ve ever read. The Alan part especially.
Adopted?
I wish the best to him. Just never worked out. Seemingly one of those 4A guys who can rip it up in the minors, yet never translate that success to the majors. Someone will take a flyer on him.
Dfa trade partner with the brewers for Haase should happen.
he was supposed to be the future centerfielder for the San Diego Padres and they talked him up… alas, they quietly got rid of him…