Mariners agree to terms with RHP Edwin Diaz and LHP Tyler Pike

SEATTLE, Wash. -- Seattle Mariners Director of Amateur Scouting Tom McNamara announced today that the club has agreed to terms two more players from the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, including right-handed pitcher Edwin Diaz and left-handed pitcher Tyler Pike.

“Tyler is left handed pitcher with three above average pitches,” McNamara said. “With his type of delivery and arm action he can project into a potential Major League starter.”

Diaz, 18, out of Caguas Military Academy in Caguas, Puerto Rico was the Mariners third-round (98th overall) selection. He was rated as the 75th prospect by Baseball America heading into the draft, including the 4th ranked prospect out of Puerto Rico. His cousin, Jose Melendez, pitched in the big leagues for parts of five seasons in the 1990s for Seattle (1990), San Diego (1991-92) and Boston (1993-94).

Pike, 18, went 8-2 with a 0.51 ERA (6 ER, 82.0 IP) while striking out 134 batters in 82.0 innings during his senior season at Winter Haven (FL) High School. He also batted .360 (36x100) with 20 runs scored, 12 extra-base hits and 21 RBI as an outfielder. He was the Mariners third-round supplemental selection (126th overall).

Both Diaz and Pike will report to the Mariners Rookie affiliate in the Arizona League.  

Seattle has signed 27 of the team’s first 30 picks, including 9 players in the first 10 rounds of the draft. Overall the Mariners have agreed to terms with 29 of the 41 players selected in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft

Short-A Everett will begin action on Friday, June 15 at Tri-City. Rookie Pulaski Mariners season gets under way on Tuesday, June 19 vs. Burlington, while Rookie Peoria Mariners begin play on Wednesday, June 20 vs. the AZL Padres.

The Mariners first round selection catcher Mike Zunino from the University of Florida is currently playing in the College World Series. The Gators, the No. 1 overall seed, begin play on Saturday vs. the University of South Carolina.

Seattle selected 41 players in the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, highlighted by their first pick, catcher Mike Zunino, who was the 3rd overall pick in the draft. The Mariners selected 20 pitchers, including 6 left-handers, 3 catchers, 13 infielders (3 1B, 3 2B, 1 3B, 6 SS), and 5 outfielders. Seattle selected 26 college players and 15 high school players.

Seattle has until Friday, July 13 at 2 p.m. (PT) to sign players selected in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.