Dustin Ackley

After being the second overall pick in the 2009 draft, Ackley has consistently been inconsistent, rarely flashing his full potential. His 2015 campaign seemed destined to be another disappointing one, as he hit .215/.270/.366 with the Mariners before being shipped to the Yankees just before the trade deadline. The 27-year-old caught a tough break shortly upon arrival in New York, landing on the disabled list with a right lumbar strain just three games into his Yankee tenure that cost him over a month's worth of action. Once healthy, Ackley actually found success in his new home, hitting .288 with four homers in 23 games while filling in on the strong side of a second base platoon. His outlook for 2016 playing time took a hit when the Yankees acquired Starlin Castro from the Cubs, though Ackley figures to still see sporadic time in a utility role.

Four years into his career, it still isn't entirely clear what the Mariners have in Ackley. He looked like his worst self in the first three months last year, finishing June batting .214/.273/.329. He then went on a two-month tear, batting .318/.351/.521 with 23 extra-base hits -- including seven home runs -- in 51 games, looking like the player that Mariners expected when they drafted him second overall in 2009. As soon as the calendar turned to September, Ackley went cold again, batting .149/.205/.299 in his final 18 games. Bone spurs in his ankle contributed to his season-ending slump, though, muddying the picture even more. Perhaps the two most important changes for Ackley were cutting his strikeout rate to 12.2% after posting an 18.0% in the first half and adjusting his stance so that he was a step closer to the plate. The latter gave him better plate coverage, as he was able to better reach outside pitches. But why didn't this hold in September? Maybe it was the bum wheel, or maybe he is just an inconsistent hitter, prone to roller coaster streaks. Whatever the case, the real Ackley – one way or the other – needs to show himself this season.

Ackley was given a mulligan for his disappointing 2012 season, but by late May he was out of second chances and sent to Triple-A Tacoma to regroup. He was also out at second base, as fellow prospect Nick Franklin took his spot and kept it the remainder of the year. Ackley transitioned to the outfield, where he had his share of challenges, but those paled in comparison to his challenges at the plate. At the time of his demotion, Ackley had swung at just 52.4 percent of pitches in the strike zone, yet his walk rate was a mere 7.0 percent. The Mariners wanted him to be more aggressive. After returning from Triple-A, he still ended up finishing the season with a strike-zone swing rate of 52.2 percent. However, he did improve his walk rate slightly in his second stint with the team (9.7%). He showed signs of life late in the season, hitting .300 in his final 100 at-bats with an .857 OPS, though he had a .342 BABIP during that time, too. With Robinson Cano signed, Ackley is officially done at second base with the Mariners. His best hope is to land an outfield spot. If he's relegated to fourth-outfielder duty or simply traded, it will be a big stain on the resume of general manager Jack Zduriencik, who made Ackley the second overall pick in 2009.

Calling Ackley's sophomore campaign a disappointment is almost an understatement. Ackley struck out much more than expected, but what was really surprising was his regression in power. His ISO fell to .102 after he posted a .144 mark as a rookie, and in nearly 300 more at-bats than in his rookie season, he had just seven more extra-base hits. Strikeouts were never an issue in the minors, so perhaps he can right that ship this season. And his defense at second base proved top-notch as he was a Gold Glove finalist. He also had offseason surgery to remove bone spurs; hopefully that will help too. Ackley is only 25 this year and entering just his second full season in the bigs, so patience, of course, is warranted. A quick start, though, would go a long way toward easing some concern.

It was not a surprise that the Mariners held off on promoting Ackley last season to delay his service clock. What was a bit surprising was just how easily Ackley seemed to adjust to major-league pitching after his midseason callup. Ackley totaled 29 extra-base hits and 40 walks in 90 games, the latter mark ranking third among rookies despite the limited number of plate appearances. To top it off, he stole six bags without being caught. Ackley hit .304 as late as September 6 but finished the year in a .164 slump over the final 20 games to drop his average to .273. That was the only blemish on an otherwise standout rookie season. Second base is his for the foreseeable future in Seattle.

The No. 2 overall pick in 2009, Ackley will make his major league debut in 2011; the only question is when. The Mariners appear content to start Ackley in Triple-A this year to delay his service clock. A big spring could change that plan, however. After a just-decent season split between Double-A and Triple-A last year, Ackley dominated the Arizona Fall League, garnering MVP honors. He hit .424/.518/.758 with four homers and 10 doubles. He showed great plate discipline throughout the year with 75 walks to 79 strikeouts in 501 at-bats during the regular season and then 26 walks to 11 strikeouts in 66 AFL at-bats. Ackley's power is still developing and his defense needs work, which is why more minor-league seasoning might be a good idea. Expect him in Seattle by summer, though.

The second overall pick in the 2009 draft, Ackley offers modest power, good speed and strong plate discipline and could move through Seattle's system quickly as the organization's best prospect. He played outfield and first base at North Carolina but will begin his pro career at second base, possibly starting 2010 at Double-A. Ackley, who hit .315/.412/.425 at the Arizona Fall League, likely will spend this year in the minors with a possible late-season callup before competing for a roster spot in 2011. Jose Lopez is in the final year of his deal, so there shouldn't be much standing in Ackley's way.