Throughout March, former AquaSox OF Ryan Royster will be our Spring Training blogger, keeping us updated with what’s happening at the Sports Complex in Peoria, and how former AquaSox are doing. Check back weekly for his updates.

 This is Ryan Royster live from Mariners Camp, Spring Training 2010. It was a long offseason but it’s time to get back to work. There is a lot of excitement this year both within camp and by the media surrounding the big time deals we made this winter. Bringing in Cliff Lee, Milton Bradley, and Chone Figgins, among others, has put Seattle in the mix of preseason playoff predictions. We also had some departures such as former Frog all-star, and my good friend, Tyson Gillies, who is now with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Today is the M’s opening game vs. the Giants  and fans will be introduced to some new faces, as well as cheer on the fan favorites. On the minor league side, minicamp is winding down and the entire farm system is starting to trickle in. Former Aquasox Minicamp invitees include yours truly, Kalian Sams, Joe Dunnigan, James Jones, Brandon Bantz and many more. We experienced the new workout program implemented by Dr. Marcus Elliot and the Peak Performance  Project. Our weight room looks like a huge empty space now with very few weights in it, but don’t be fooled, the workouts are absolutely insane! If you have behind the scenes access you might find us working on our yoga poses too, but keep that between us.

I’m glad to see Griffey back this year. I got a chance to meet him and spend some time with him last year and it’s amazing to be on the same field as my all-time favorite player. I wasn’t sure what to call him the first time I talked to him (Ken, Mr. Griffey, Jr.?) but I realized quick that he’s just a regular guy…( I went with “Griff” by the way).

I’m sure you would like to know how I spent my offseason… Let’s see, I started a youth baseball academy called Pro Player Baseball (check us out at www.ppbinstruction.com ), spent the majority of my time rehabbing in Arizona to get ready for 2010, and also was able to spend some time with my family and friends which is always a good thing. You can catch me on Twitter occasionally if you’re lucky (@YoungRoyce) but I try to stay out of trouble so I keep the tweets to a minimum these days.

Well I hope to see all you M’s fans down here this spring and if you see me around be sure to say hi. And if you have a nickname for me I would love to hear it. I got some good ones from fans so far like “Axel Royce from Guns N Royces”, LeBroyce James, and President Baroyce Obama,  so keep ’em comin.

I’ll be back next week with anther inside look at Mariner’s camp 2010!

Ryan Royster’s Spring Training updates from Peoria can be found weekly on the AquaSox Frog Blog