Seattle Mariners
AL West
2024 record: 85-77 (2nd)
MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Tacoma Rainiers
Double-A: Arkansas Travelers
High-A: Everett AquaSox
Single-A: Modesto Nuts
Notable prospects graduated in 2024
RHP Emerson Hancock
Special guest contributor Lindsay Crosby (@CrosbyBaseball) and Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
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 to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2024
Tier 1
1. Colt Emerson, SS, 19, High-A
After an injury-filled season that saw the infielder play in just 70 games due to foot and hamstring injuries, 2025’s hopefully the year the dynamic hitter takes the next leap into stardom. With a profile that’s perfectly adequate but not exemplary at shortstop, the plate discipline and discerning batter’s eye are the big draws for the lefty. Successfully converting his many line drive doubles into homers will propel the 19-year-old into the upper minors and position him for his first major league call-up at third base, a standing position of need for Seattle. (@CrosbyBaseball)
Tier 2
2. Cole Young, SS, 21, Double-A
Young, our No. 1 Mariners prospect last year at this time, and on our midseason 2024 rankings update, could still be atop this system if it weren’t for Emerson’s breakout. The drop to No. 2 doesn’t mean anything when it comes to his star potential. Seattle’s 2022 1st round pick had a very good season at Double-A Arkansas as a 20-year-old (.271, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 23 SB), was named to the Futures Game, and sent to Arizona this past Fall. Unfortunately, he was sent home after only one game, with conflicting information on the reason. An article on Fangraphs mentioned, “per a source, he was dealing with wrist discomfort, an issue dating back to the regular season,” whereas Jonathan Mayo on MLB.com said “the decision was made to send him home. He’s healthy, but 124 games and 552 regular-season plate appearances was deemed to be enough.” Regardless, I expect an impactful 2025 for Young, and a potential call to the Majors. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
3. Felnin Celesten, SS, 19, Rookie (ACL)
This one is all about projection as we have only seen him in 32 complex level games. However, the reports are extremely encouraging. He has plus speed and is showing a great early understanding of the strike zone. He isn’t expanding the zone and is making excellent contact. There is potential for plus future power as well. I am really excited to see him compete in A-level ball this year. His stock could really skyrocket if all goes well. (@JMahyfam)
4. Jonny Farmelo, OF, 20, Single-A
There seems to be a lot of helium in the prospect industry when it comes to Farmelo. The Mariners selected him 29th overall in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. The 6’2″, 205lb outfielder debuted and played 46 games for Single-A Modesto last season. His speed is 70-grade according to FanGraphs, and if he can tap into that raw power, there’s so much potential for success in the Majors. Farmelo isn’t expected to play until midseason 2025 as he’s rehabbing from a knee injury suffered in June 2024. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
5. Harry Ford, C, 21, Double-A
If anything, Ford has been consistent since being drafted 12th overall in 2021 out of North Cobb High School (Kennesaw, GA). After a short 19-game debut in Rookie ball the summer he was drafted, he’s played full seasons at Single-A (2022), High-A (2023), and Double-A (2024). That bodes well for him playing 2025 at Triple-A, and he could be Major League ready sooner than later. The consistency goes both ways though, as his slashlines dropped each year, from .291/.400/.582/.982 in the ACL, to .274/.425/.439/.863 in Single-A, to .257/.410/.430/.841 in High-A, to .249/.377/.367/.745 in Double-A. His prospect status still shines bright, as does his speed, and Ford’s been named to the Futures Game the last two years. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
6. Lazaro Montes, OF, 20, High-A
There were plenty of questions about Montes’ ability to keep up his 2023 production from the lower Minor Leagues last season, but moving up to High-A seemed to be no problem for the 20-year-old. Montes has huge power, blasting 21 home runs in 2024 and driving in 105 runs (most among qualified Seattle prospects). It’s exceptionally rare to find a power prospect that doesn’t have a high strikeout rate, and Montes is no exception. However, incremental improvements in the outfield defense and keeping an adequate walk rate maintain his top 100 status. (@aj_greene1015)
7. Michael Arroyo, 2B, 20, High-A
A 2024 season of the stature Arroyo had would catapult him into most organization’s top five prospects. As crowded at the top as the Mariners system is, Arroyo still bumped himself up two spots from where he was this time last year. Posting a 148 wRC+, .225 ISO, and .417 wOBA across Single and High-A, Arroyo really emerged as one of the top hitters in the system. A jump from three homers in 2023 to 23 homers in 2024 signaled there could even be some power to tap into, despite the perception being an contact-over-power profile as a J-15 signing in 2022. (@aj_greene1015)
Tier 3
8. Tyler Locklear, 1B, 24, MLB
As we see with many prospects, the initial shift to MLB can be really difficult. Although he struggled in a 16 game cup of coffee in MLB, Locklear was still producing at a high level throughout MiLB. He displayed plus 90th percentile exit velocities in both Arkansas and Tacoma, solidifying himself as one of their hardest hitting prospects. A longer stint with the big league club could come with much better numbers for the first baseman, and the organization should be confident the VCU product can stick in Seattle in 2025. (@aj_greene1015)
9. Logan Evans, RHP, 23, Double-A
One only needs to look at the Mariners major league rotation for proof of how well they develop pitching in this organization. Evans might just be the next example. The Double-A Texas league is known as an offensive friendly league, but it didn’t seem to phase him. In 107 innings, he produced a 1.18 WHIP while winning 9 games for the Travelers. He only struck out 8 batters per nine innings but limited hard contact in the process. His stuff looks more like a solid number four starter with the upside of a number three, but from a 12th round pick that would be fantastic return on investment. (@JMahyfam)
10. Ryan Sloan, RHP, 18, High school
Sloan has a rare combination of stuff and polish from a prep arm which is a big reason the Mariners took him in the second round last July. His best pitch is a nasty change with plenty of sink and run that he will use in any count. He has a fastball with varying shape that has been up to 99 along with a slider with depth. The command is solid, but what really stands out is his ability to work backwards and get any of his pitches in for strikes. On top of all that, he has the frame of an innings eating starter and could easily develop into a mid-rotation starter. (@ShaunKernahan)
11. Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, 21, College
A first rounder who signed for full slot, clearly the Mariners loved Cijntje, and what is not to love, as he is a bonafide switch pitcher. There were some teams not sold on the idea of him being able to stick as a switch pitcher full time, and there is certainly some risk that he has to transition to relying on his right arm, but there is real talent from both sides. As a righty, he has been up to 98 with a two-plane slider and a firm change that has late fade. He works from a much lower slot from the left side where is fastball is in the low 90s and gets too flat. I anticipate he will be a primary right handed arm who will change to the left side situationally. (@ShaunKernahan)
12. Tai Peete, SS, 19, Single-A
Peete was the Mariners third and final first round pick of the 2023 draft (with Emerson and Farmelo preceding him). He could be the most athletic of the three but is also the rawest. In Single-A last year he hit .269 and stole 45 bases but it also came with a 31% strikeout rate. He is young, so he has time to adjust his approach. If he is able to make better contact, that 2023 draft could go down in Mariners history. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 4
13. Michael Morales, RHP, 22, Double-A
14. Jeter Martinez, RHP, 18, Rookie (ACL)
15. Dawel Joseph, SS, 17, Rookie (DSL)
16. Brandyn Garcia, LHP, 24, Double-A
17. Teddy McGraw, RHP, 23, Single-A
18. Ben Williamson, 3B, 24, Double-A
19. Cole Phillips, RHP, 21, Injured (High school in 2022)
20. Ryan Bliss, 2B/SS, 25, MLB
21. Luis Suisbel, 3B, 21, Single-A
Morales could be a back-end starter in the Majors. Martinez has the tools and potential to develop into a mid-rotation starter with potential for more, but has to get his command straight. Joseph has good power but needs to develop his hitting approach to tap into that power. McGraw has already had two Tommy John surgeries but has the ability to become a good starter in a few years. Williamson doesn’t have a ton of power for a 3B but has a solid hit-tool. Bliss could grow into more power as he matures and may be part of the Major League team this season. (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
22. Brock Rodden, 2B, 24, Double-A
23. Ashton Izzi, RHP, 21, Rookie (ACL)
24. Caleb Cali, 3B, 24, High-A
25. Walter Ford, RHP, 20, Single-A
26. Tyler Gough, RHP, 21, Single-A
27. Taylor Dollard, RHP, 25, Injured (Triple-A in 2023)
28. Jimmy Joyce, RHP, 26, Double-A
29. Carlos Jimenez, OF, 21, Single-A
30. Troy Taylor, RHP, 23, MLB
31. Reid VanScoter, LHP, 26, Double-A
32. Josh Caron, C, 21, Single-A
33. Spencer Packard, OF, 27, Triple-A
34. Axel Sanchez, SS, 22, High-A
35. Grant Knipp, C, 23, College
36. Jared Sundstrom, OF, 23, High-A
37. Marcelo Perez, RHP, 25, High-A
38. Rhylan Thomas, OF, 24, Triple-A
39. Starlin Aguilar, 3B/2B, 20, Rookie CACL)
40. Hunter Cranton, RHP, 24, Single-A
41. Dylan Wilson, RHP, 19, Rookie (ACL)
42. Austin Shenton, 1B, 26, MLB
43. Carlos Vargas, RHP, 25, Triple-A
44. Sebastian de Andrade, C, 18, Rookie (ACL)
45. Milkar Perez, 1B, 23, Single-A
46. Blas Castano, RHP, 26, Triple-A
47. Josh Hood, SS/3B, 24, High-A
48. Ty Cummings, RHP, 23, High-A
49. Ruddy Navarro, RHP, 18, Rookie (DSL)
50. Brock Moore, RHP, 24, Single-A
Rodden has always had good speed and showed some pop last season with his on-base ability. Improved command could land Gough in a Major League rotation. Dollard missed the entire 2024 season after surgery. Joyce struggled last year after a solid 2023. Jimenez took a step forward in 2024 flashing some speed and power with an improved hit-tool. Caron has good power and should be a backup catcher in the Majors with potential for more. Sundstrom could be a corner outfielder with a little bit of speed and power. (@tonybps1)
Adam Greene is a student UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. He currently writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League and UMass Athletics. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life and he's spent the last few years covering their farm system. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
Greg covers the Toronto Blue Jays organization for Prospects1500. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, a long-suffering fan of both the Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For more than 15 years now a participant/commish in many dynasty baseball leagues, all with extremely deep minor league rosters. Follow on X @gregbracken07.
Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
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Tony Bpshttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/phillies002/
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Tony Bpshttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/phillies002/
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Tony Bpshttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/phillies002/
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Tony Bpshttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/phillies002/
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