Where the Mariners' top 30 prospects are starting the season

With the 2015 season officially under way, here's a look at where the Mariners' top 30 prospects are starting the season:

1. Alex Jackson -- Clinton LumberKings (A)
2. D.J. Peterson -- Jackson Generals (AA)
3. Ketel Marte -- Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)
4. Patrick Kivlehan -- Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)
5. Gabriel Guerrero -- Jackson Generals (AA)
6. Austin Wilson -- Bakersfield Blaze (A Adv)
7. Edwin Diaz -- Bakersfield Blaze (A Adv)
8. Luiz Gohara -- Extended spring training
9. Tyler Marlette -- Bakersfield Blaze (A Adv)
10. Carson Smith -- Seattle Mariners (MLB)
11. Ryan Yarbrough -- Bakersfield Blaze (A Adv)
12. Tyler O'Neill -- Bakersfield Blaze (A Adv)
13. Gareth Morgan -- Extended spring training
14. John Hicks -- Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)
15. Jack Reinheimer -- Jackson Generals (AA)
16. Jordy Lara -- Jackson Generals (AA)
17. Austin Cousino -- Clinton LumberKings (A) - DL
18. Brayan Hernandez -- Extended spring training
19. Dan Altavilla -- Bakersfield Blaze (A Adv)
20. Trey Cochran-Gill -- Bakersfield Blaze (A Adv)
21. Julio Morban -- Jackson Generals (AA)
22. Stephen Landazuri -- Jackson Generals (AA)
23. Michael Kickham -- Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)
24. Mayckol Guaipe -- Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)
25. Danny Hultzen -- Extended spring training
26. Mike Montgomery -- Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)
27. David Rollins -- Restricted List
28. Tyler Pike -- Jackson Generals (AA)
29. Tyler Smith -- Jackson Generals (AA)
30. Joe DeCarlo -- Clinton LumberKings (A)

Team to watch
The general rule of thumb is that Double-A is the level with the most prospects. That appears to be the case in the Mariners system as the Jackson Generals have eight prospects in the Top 30 on their roster. The group is led by No. 2 prospect D.J. Peterson, the M's first-round pick in 2013 and Gabby Guerrero (No. 5), the nephew of Vlad Guerrero. The Bakersfield Blaze in the California League comes close with seven Top 30 prospects, including three in the top 10 (Austin Wilson, Edwin Diaz, Tyler Marlette).

Teams on MiLB.TV
Tacoma Rainiers
Jackson Generals

New faces
Alex Jackson, the Mariners' first-round pick in the 2014 Draft, and their No. 1 prospect, understandably gets most of the buzz among new draftees in the system. But he's just one of six from the class in the Top 30. Three are pitchers on the Bakersfield staff: Ryan Yarbrough (No. 11), No. 19 Dan Altavilla and No. 20 Trey Cochran-Gill. Jackson will start with Clinton in the Midwest League and Austin Cousino will likely join him once he's off of the disabled list. Gareth Morgan is sticking around Extended Spring Training and will head to a short-season club in June.

On the shelf
Danny Hultzen hasn't thrown a competitive pitch since 2013 and he only tossed 35 2/3 that season. The lefty and former No. 2 overall pick has been slowly working his way back from shoulder problems and threw an inning in Cactus League action this spring. He's still working on building his arm strength in Extended Spring Training, with no set timetable for his return.