(George) Sherrill of Memphis, Tenn., left Winnipeg and the Northern League in early July last year.
Armed with a 90-plus m.p.h. fastball and a biting slider, he's risen quickly through the Seattle organization.
From AA ball in Texas, to the Arizona Fall League, to Puerto Rico, to Venezuela, Sherrill put up solid numbers at each stop leading up to reach this, his first major league camp.
In fact, so impressive was his 2003 road show that it even caught the eye of Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price.
"I've seen it reported that he's called me a 'sleeper.' Well, that's nice to hear," said Sherrill, who's shed 25 pounds since he tossed from the mound at CanWest. "Now, I'm not one to put too much stock in what I hear from others, but at least my name's out there. ... There's 59 players here and I don't want to be the 59th guy, if you know what I mean."
Bald with a goatee that looks like it's going to seed, the 6-foot, 222-pound thrower is probably not in too much danger of getting lost in a crowd.
Besides, Sherrill has already been in camp for the last three-and-a-half weeks, participating in numerous bullpen sessions and making good impressions.
"Mr. Price has already told me I'll get ample opportunity to go out and get my innings here," said the 26-year-old graduate of Austin Peay State University, who was never drafted. "It's hard to put into words what this all means to me. But let's just say this – I plan on making the most of it."
When Sherrill left the Fish, he owned a 1.13 ERA in 16 innings with 30 strikeouts and four walks. He went on to better that in the AA Texas league with a 0.33 ERA in 27.1 innings for the San Antonio Missions.
2004 Mariners Who's Who: Catchers
