Scouting notes on Mariners' non-drafted free agents
These always sneak in nearly undetected... nearly.
There likely will be more NDFAs to come, but so far, officially, it’s these four.
Mariners Draft analysis episode at Baseball Things
Reid Easterly, LHP — Duke
Reliever in the ACC, up to 93 mph, but generally sits 88-91 with tons of strikes, allowing him to get to his slurve (45% whiff). He has a cutter and curveball for development, but he threw the changeup just 10% of the time, so despite the high strike rate (69%) and multiple secondaries, the bullpen may be where he has to stay.
Easterly is a drop-and-drive arm, using his low slot to create angles and deception, which helps the ordinary fastball velocity play up. He dominated left-handed batters (.193/.250/.235), and there might be a bit more velocity to go get, despite no significant physical projection left.
Brady O’Brien, 2B — Richmond
O’Brien spent 2025 at Richmond after three seasons at Colby College, and batted .366/.422/.777 with 20 homers. He’s a physical, aggressive hitter with a loft-generating swing path, but swings and misses a lot, and has struggled some with above-average velocity.
He’s a good enough athlete to handle second base in the lower minors, but probably belongs at third. His arm should work there, or in a corner outfield spot.
Reese Lumpkin, RHP — Miami
Lumpkin is a four-pitch starter, including a fastball up to 93-94 mph and living 89-92. The changeup is his best pitch at 82-85 mph with 38% whiff in 2025. He also has a 75-79 mph breaking ball that exhibits both slider and curveball traits, with some projection to the major leagues. However, he was throwing 85% fastballs and changeups this spring.
The low-90s velo comes easy, and the heater has run and carry from a 3/4 slot. He turns over the changeup fairly consistently, and the breaking ball occasionally looks like an average pitch — generally it lacks depth, but he’ll push a few good ones each start.
Lumpkin didn’t face a lot of legitimate ACC competition, but handled Louisville late in the year, and there’s certainly physical projection left in the 6-foot-6, 205-pound frame. Lumpkin is my favorite of the NDFAs.
Konni Durschlag, OF — High Point
It’s not a Power 4 schedule or anywhere near, but Durschlag pounded out 15 homers, 23 doubles, and walked more than he struck out this past season, all despite his 5-foot-9 stature. He’s strong with good bat speed, however, and does not get cheated at the plate.
Durschlag is a solid-average or better runner, though not much of a base-stealing threat. He is viable at all three outfield spots, thriving in the corners and playing a passable center.
