Seattle Mariners 2021 Midseason Top 50 Prospects

Mariners Top 50 design by @designsbypack on Twitter

In recent times, once August rolls around, the Mariners have found themselves out of contention and looking toward the promise of a brighter future. This season, they are still within reach of a Wild Card, and optimism around the baseball team in Seattle is starting to grow. A couple of top prospects, Jarred Kelenic & Logan Gilbert have graduated and are starting to contribute to the team’s moderate success this year. As they attempt to end their postseason drought which started with the 2002 campaign this season, the future is looking more and more hopeful.

The organization has a talented and deep system that is arguably the best one in all of baseball. Future star potential is on the horizon with Julio Rodriguez, George Kirby and Emerson Hancock all possibly making their debuts next season, with Noelvi Marte not far behind.

At this year’s trading deadline, the Mariners held firm in not trading away depth too soon in pursuit of more talented major league teams that had greater odds of making the postseason in 2021. This may change in 2022, as the further development of the system continues.


Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have a high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g., middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40-man roster

Tier 1

1. Julio Rodriguez, OF (January rank #2)
Age: 20
Current Level: Double-A

As one of the top prospects in baseball, he will likely be patrolling the outfield in Seattle for years to come, beginning sometime early next season.

2. Noelvi Marte, SS (January rank #5)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A

Marte has been raking in Modesto and his MLB debut has mostly been projected to be in 2023, though it wouldn’t surprise me at all if we see him arrive in Seattle before the end of next year.

3. Emerson Hancock, RHP (January rank #3)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Hancock has impressed with plus power and a four pitch arsenal and I am looking forward to seeing his progression as he continues to develop and face stiffer competition.

4. George Kirby, RHP (January rank #7)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

Kirby has demonstrated amazing command so far this year posting a remarkable 50 to 8 K/BB ratio and, his velocity has jumped significantly as well.

Tier 2

5. Harry Ford, C (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

The Mariners drafted Ford with the 12th overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft and will start out as a catcher, but his position possibilities include centerfield and second base due to his athleticism and speed.

6. Cal Raleigh, C (January rank #9)
Age: 24
Current Level: MLB

Raleigh possesses above-average power and is strong defensively, though will need to adjust to MLB pitching as he has struggled at the plate since his promotion last month.

7. Brandon Williamson, RHP (January rank #8)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA

Promoted to Arkansas in June, he has three above-average pitches -a fastball that hits the high 90s, a deceptive curveball with a high spin rate, and an improved changeup.

8. Zach DeLoach, OF (January rank #11)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA

He can hit the ball all over the field and plays multiple outfield spots, which earned him a promotion to Arkansas last month.

9. Levi Stoudt, RHP (January rank #37)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

Stoudt is looking to be a quick riser through Seattle’s system with a very impressive first half of the year pitching for Everett showing off his four pitch mix and il likely see AA ball soon.

10. Matt Brash, RHP (January rank #32)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA

Another quick-rising pitcher in the system, he has continued to increase his velocity, has had excellent command and his slider has been really effective.

11. Edwin Arroyo, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

Selected in the second round this year, Arroyo has a high upside, is extremely athletic, strong defensively, and good contact ability.

12. Andres Munoz, RHP (January rank #12)
Age: 22
Current Level: MLB (60-day IL)

Munoz began a throwing program in late July after undergoing Tommy John surgery last month and should be in the Mariners bullpen next season competing to be the team’s closer.

Tier 3

13. Juan Then, RHP (January rank #10)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

Then is highly regarded in the M’s system and despite some struggles this year, he has an electric fastball to go along with a plus slider and decent changeup.

14. Kaden Polcovich, 2B (January rank #21)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA

Polcovich is a multi-dimensional defender, having played second base, center field and third base so far this season and his blistering start to the season earned him a promotion to AA Arkansas.

15. Jonatan Clase, OF (January rank #16)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

The highly regarded Clase has shown some glimpses of what he can become playing Rookie ball in Arizona with a possible promotion to Low A Modesto potentially on the horizon.

16. Connor Phillips, RHP (January rank #19)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A

The hard-throwing right hander has had flashes of brilliance in Modesto and he has shown the ability to miss a lot of bats.

17. Milkar Perez, 3B (January rank #23)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

Perez has shown that he is a solid contact hitter down in the Arizona complex league and is an above-average defender.

18. Sam Carlson, RHP (January rank #15)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A

In his first full professional season since being drafted in 2017, Carlson has enjoyed a successful return to the mound and showing why he was drafted in round number 2.

19. Penn Murfee, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 27
Current level: AAA

Murfee was promoted to AAA Tacoma last month and should see T-Mobile Park at some point this year.

20. Michael Morales, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 19
Current Level: Not assigned

Originally committed to Vanderbilt, it was thought that he may be tough to sign, however, he agreed to a contract shortly after being drafted.

21. Adam Macko, LHP (January rank #26)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A

The lefty has had an uptick in velocity this year, which has led to a high strikeout rate (56 in 33.1 innings pitched) though he will need to improve some command issues he’s had so far this year.

22. Starlin Aguilar, 2B/3B (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DOSL)

Aguilar was an international signee in January and turned 17 shortly after signing and he has demonstrated the ability to hit the ball all over the field starting his pro career in the Dominican Summer League.

23. Taylor Dollard, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

The round five selection in the 2020 draft got off to a nice start with Modesto, earning a promotion to High A Everett in June, showing off above-average command which is shown in his excellent strikeout/walk ratio.

24. Isaiah Campbell, RHP (January rank #13)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

Campbell got off to a nice start in 2021, though he is currently on the Injured list following elbow surgery (clean up surgery per The Athletic’s Corey Brock).

25. Bryce Miller, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 22
Current Level: Not assigned

The fourth round selection in this year’s draft has a four pitch mix including an above-average fastball to go along an effective slider, curveball and changeup.

26. Victor Labrada, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

An international signee out of Cuba, Labrada is a strong defensive outfielder, a patient hitter and has plus speed and between Modesto and Everett, he has 25 stolen bases through his first 69 games.

27. Cade Marlowe, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: High-A

A round 20 selection in 2019, Marlowe has been showing off both speed and power so far this season. 2021 has been a bit of a breakout year for him as he has earned the Low-A Player of the Month in May and High-A Player of the Month in July.

28. Gabriel Gonzalez, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DOSL)

The young outfielder was part of the 2021 international signing class and has gotten off to a hot start in the Dominican Summer League.

29. Wyatt Mills, RHP (January rank #33)
Age: 26
Current Level: MLB

Mills has bounced up and down the I-5 corridor so far this year pitching for AAA Tacoma and making 9 appearances with the Mariners and though he has struggled at the MLB level, should get some more opportunities this season.

30. Darren McCaughan, RHP (January rank #49)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA

He has demonstrated above-average command with Arkansas and Tacoma this year and made his major league debut in July where he through 5 no-hit innings against the Rockies, though he struggled in his second start against Houston, he should get another shot this season.

Tier 4

31. Brayan Perez, RHP (January rank #25)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A

He has been working mostly out of the bullpen so far this year and has continued to demonstrate decent command with Modesto.

32. Alberto Rodriguez, OF (January rank #45)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A

Rodriguez has demonstrated both speed and power with Low-A Modesto, stealing nine bases and hitting 7 home runs to date including 3 in one game last month against Fresno.

33. Kristian Cardozo, RHP (January rank #30)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (DOSL)

The 18-year-old is just starting to get his feet wet pitching in the Dominican Summer League.

34. Tyler Keenan, 3B (January rank #27)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, Keenan is a solid defender and hits with power.

35. George Feliz, OF (January rank #29)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (DOSL)

Feliz is a five-tool prospect with above-average power potential and speed, a strong arm with a high ceiling, slashing .355/.430/.618 through his first 21 games in Rookie ball.

36. Yohan Ramirez, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 26
Current Level: MLB

He has shuffling back and forth between Tacoma and Seattle during the 2021 campaign pitching out of the bullpen & has been effective in both places.

37. Aaron Fletcher, LHP (January rank #31)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA

Not to the extent as the Ramirez, Fletcher has also shuffled between Tacoma and Seattle pitching out of the bullpen.

38. Luis Liberato, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA

An above average defensive outfielder, Liberato has been developing at the plate showing some glimpses of power.

39. Joey Gerber, RHP (January rank #14)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA

The right hander made his MLB debut pitching in 17 games for the Mariners during the 2020 campaign, but his stock has taken a hit, due to a back injury that required surgery and he is not expected to play at all during the 2021 season.

Tier 5

40. Ray Kerr, LHP (January rank #39)
Age: 26
Current Level: AA

Has pitched well with AA Arkansas and seems to be ready for his next challenge, the right hander has above average velocity to go along with a decent slider.

41. Tim Elliott, RHP (January rank #41)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

The former fourth round draft pick has a four pitch arsenal and decent command, though he has struggled a bit with Everett so far this season.

42. Patrick Frick, SS/3B/2B (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA

Drafted in round 14 in 2019, Frick had an outstanding .310/.433/.493 slash line with Everett this season earning a promotion to AA

43. Jake Scheiner, 3B (January rank #42)
Age: 26
Current Level: AA

The third baseman got off to a blistering start in May, though he has since cooled off. He needs to work on patience at the plate as his strikeout rate is north of 35 percent.

44. Devin Sweet, RHP (January rank #36)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA

Sweet has had an increase in his velocity to go along with his above-average command.

45. Joe Rizzo, 3B (January rank #34)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA

The former second round pick is an above-average defender with moderate power and has spent the 2021 campaign with AA Arkansas.

46. Nolan Hoffman, RHP
Age: 24
Current Level: High-A

The 2018 fifth round selection, was injured for most of the 2019 campaign but is working on getting things back on track in 2021 earning a promotion to Everett in July.

47. Logan Rinehart, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 23
Current Level: Low-A (60-day IL)

The hard throwing right hander impressed at the Alternate Training site last year, but has yet to pitch in 2021.

48. Michael Limoncelli, RHP (January rank #44)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

After recovering from Tommy John surgery, Limoncelli made his professional debut earlier this year.

49. Yeury Tatiz, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie

The tall (6’3”) right hander is filling out his frame and offers decent command and plenty of upside as he develops.

50. Luis Curvelo, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A

Good command pitcher with an excellent K/BB ratio, Curvelo has looked promising with Modesto.

 

One more name to mention:

Ljay Newsome, RHP
Age: 24
Current Level: MLB (60-day IL)

Newsome appeared in 7 games this year with Seattle before ending up on the injured list with a UCL injury back in May. His status is currently not clear, which made ranking him difficult.




3 Comments

  1. Looks like Ljay Newsome might be out until 2023 with Tommy John. Is it safe to say he’s no longer among the Mariners top 50?

    Also, what time this month will the top overall prospects be listed?

    • We’ll leave the Newsome question to Joe Rush to answer. Our new overall top prospects may be pushed out to early October, as it was last year. We want to make sure we don’t include prospects who may lose eligibility before the season ends. If not early October it’ll be later this month.

  2. Would you say that it’s going to be early October at this point? If so, do you think it will be only a day or two after the regular season ends?

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