Alex Hoppe in his Mariners Org Debut in Tacoma

Right-hander Alex Hoppe closed out the season opener for the Triple-A Tacoma, holding a 7-6 lead with a scoreless ninth inning. He allowed a leadoff single, then punched out two batters in a row before getting Kristian Robinson to fly out to right to end it.

Hoppe is my No. 15 prospect despite his age (27) and limited role of relief arm. But it’s high-leverage stuff just waiting for consistent, average control to unleash it. He works in the 96-99 mph range with his four-seamer and complements with a low-90s cutter that has reached the mid-90s, plus a true slider with some tilt.

Hoppe did not walk a batter in Friday’s game.