As Logan Gilbert handed the ball to manager Scott Servais and sauntered off the mound with two outs in the sixth inning, a small eruption of cheers could be heard from the lower bowl of the largely empty Tropicana Field.

Yes, it’s only 16 games into the 2022 season. But the revamped lineup with a focus on improved plate discipline and better bat-to-ball skills has offered glimpses of its potential.

This feels different from before, doesn’t it?

SEATTLE — As he spoke of his game-winning hit, Jesse Winker was quick to acknowledge the torrid hitting of teammate Ty France, the numerous arms in the bullpen that performed in key moments and the fact the Seattle Mariners weren't whole this week due to illness.

An early-game lead with five runs scored, followed by a blowup fifth inning featuring fielding miscues and runs given back to their opponents leading to a lost lead and late-inning defeat?

Two weeks into the minor league season, here’s a quick look around the Mariners farm system to see how some of the top prospects are performing.

Rookie Julio Rodríguez lined a bases-loaded, two-run double, Jarred Kelenic followed with a two-run triple on the next pitch and the Seattle Mariners beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 Friday night.

SEATTLE — Kole Calhoun lined a two-out RBI double to score Adolis García in ninth, García made a terrific diving catch in the bottom of the inning and the Texas Rangers rallied from an early five-run deficit to beat the Seattle Mariners 8-6 Thursday night.

In the superstitious world of baseball where streaks can be snapped by wearing the wrong socks, where no-hitters can be jinxed by merely mentioning them and everything seems to be a an omen, the first inning of Kristopher Negron’s first game as interim manager of the Mariners didn’t portend to positive outcomes when Jesse Winker, the unluckiest hitter on the team and perhaps all of baseball, hit into a triple play three batters into the game.

Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais and third base coach Manny Acta have both tested positive for COVID-19 and will be away from the team beginning with Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers.

The last time the Twitter mailbag was answering questions from readers, it was busy criticizing commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB owners over the lockout and the contentious negotiations for a new collective-bargaining agreement.