Baron and Beavan invited to Spring Training

In a press release issued by the Mariners today, former LumberKings catcher Steven Baron (’10) and right-hander Blake Beavan (’08) have been invited to Spring Training, set to begin February 19 in Peoria, AZ.

The 20-year-old Baron, a supplemental first-round pick in 2009, hit .182 with three doubles, a home run and 14 RBI in 45 games with the LumberKings last season.  He also spent 53 games with short-A Everett, batting .253 with 12 doubles, three homers and 22 RBI for the eventual Northwest League champs.  Baron was named to the NWL All-Star Team following the year.

Beavan, originally a first-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2007, went 2-1 with a 5.00 ERA in double-A West Tenn and 2-2 with a 6.47 ERA in triple-A Tacoma after being acquired by the Mariners in the deal that sent Cliff Lee to Texas.  The 22-year-old made his professional debut with the Kings in 2008, going 10-6 with a 2.37 ERA in 23 starts.

Beavan was recently featured in an online video produced by the Mariners.  The link is up over at LumberKings.com.  Definitely a must-watch interview.

-DL