The host of the MLB Draft took Arkansas infielder Caleb Cali on Tuesday afternoon in the 16th round.
Seattle, which has been flirting with American League contention last year and even this year, selected Cali with the 487th overall pick.
In the 16th round of the 2023 #MLBDraft, we’ve selected @caleb_cali, an INF from @RazorbackBSB. #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/BHWoctzKgn
— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) July 11, 2023
Cali has a dilemma. He could return to the Razorbacks in 2024, but by doing so would likely cost himself significant financial losses by virtue of being a senior and not counting against a team’s bonus pool.
His stats, especially in SEC play, suggest that he’s ready to make the leap to the Mariners’ farm system.
In just 24 conference games, he hit six home runs and drove in 25, while hitting .340 and slugging .438.