By Matt Pitman

Dustin Ackley was on hand at Safeco Field today for his introductory press conference and then batting practice with the big club. Here are some pics of Dustin in a Mariners uniform. No doubt a sight Mariners fans have been waiting to see since draft day.

Gotta say, I was a bit surprised at Ackley's size, or lack there of. He wasn't very big. But that doesn't appear as if it is much of an issue. The ball jumped off his bat during his B.P. session.

We watched eagerly and saw right away why everyone raved about Dustin Ackley with the bat. He sprayed the ball to every field. Definitely has some power, even for a small guy, to right center. Every ball he hit was hit very hard. No, he didn't park one but came close a couple of times, hitting balls off the top of the right field wall. Keep in mind, it was his first time ever hitting in a big league park. And keep in mind that not only was he hitting with a wood bat, but with bats that are not his.

Dustin admitted he'd never hit in a park this big. I'll be very interested to see how much his body develops from now until spring training. I expect he'll be hitting the weight room a good bit. Along with returning to baseball shape while playing in the Arizona Fall League, and learning a real feel for professional baseball and the conditioning and strength involved, I think he will get bigger relatively quickly.

Either way, he's a really nice guy, with a very nice swing.

Click here to listen to New York Vinnie's interview with Dustin Ackley on tonights pre game show.

Special thanks to Seattle Mariners team photographer Ben Van Houten for these great pictures.