Mariners Top 30 Prospects: A 2021 Midseason Ranking

#30: Taylor Dollard

Taylor Dollard is a RHP drafted in the fifth round out of Cal Poly in last year’s abbreviated 5 round draft. Dollard would find early success this year, pitching to a 3.35 ERA with 59 K’s to just 10 walks across 37.2 innings in Low A Modesto. However, upon his promotion to High A Everett, Dollard has struggled to maintain a similar level of success. HIs 6’3 frame and starting pitcher qualities allow him to sneak on our list at #30.

#29: Patrick Frick

Patrick Frick was a 14th round draft pick out of Wake Forest in the 2019 draft class. The young shortstop possesses excellent on base skills, posting a promising slash line of .310/.433/.493 at High A Everett earlier this year. Unfortunately, similar to Dollard, Frick has struggled upon his midseason promotion to Double A Arkansas. While the struggles are a concern, there is still plenty of upside for Frick due to his ability to stick at SS coupled with strong on-base skills.

#28: Cade Marlowe

Cade Marlowe was a 20th round pick out of DII West Georgia in 2019. The outfielder has found great success in his only minor league season to date, slashing .269/.352/.531 for an OPS of .884 on the year. The only major knock on Marlowe is his advanced age of 24. Look for Marlowe to continue his success as a potential late bloomer for a Seattle system full of talented young outfielders.

#27: George Feliz

Another outfielder, Feliz was signed out of the Dominican Republic as an international amateur just last year. The 18 year old is praised for his 5 tool potential alongside a hot start in the DSL this season. Feliz has immense upside and could easily fly up prospect rankings in the upcoming years. Keep a close eye on the young Dominican stud.

#26: Victor Labrada

Yet another outfielder, Victor Labrada was signed out of Cuba as a part of the 2020 international signings. The speedy outfielder can play all three outfield positions and possesses immense potential on the base paths, having already stolen 28 bases this year. After excelling in Low A Modesto, Labrada has been middling in High A Everett. Still, at just 21 years old, Labrada remains an intriguing piece to an outfield corps becoming overwhelmingly deep.

#25: Sam Carlson

Sam Carlson is an RHP drafted out of high school in the second round all the way back in 2017. Carlson’s professional career has been a tumultuous roller coaster, as after pitching just 3 innings in his first year, the young starter required Tommy John surgery. Couple with setbacks, other injuries, and a lost season due to COVID-19, Carlson is in his first full professional season nearly four years after he was drafted. Maintaining his dynamite changeup, Carlson still possesses plenty of talent to dream on and can finally begin his professional career injury free.

#24: Bryce Miller

Bryce Miller is a RHP recently drafted out of Texas A&M. The young right hander was primarily a reliever in college until he converted to starting his final year in College Station. He found enough success to warrant a fourth-round selection in the 2021 draft as the Mariners first college selection.

#23: Gabriel Gonzalez

Gabriel Gonzalez is a tantalizing young outfield prospect signed out of Venezuela in this year’s 2021 international amateur class. Still growing into his frame, Gonzalez projects to have major potential at the plate and is athletic enough to stick in the outfield. Off to a scorching hot start for the Mariner’s DSL team, Gonzalez is another high upside player to keep close tabs on as he progresses through the lower minors.

#22: Starlin Aguilar

Similar to Gonzalez, Starlin Aguilar was a top signee in this year’s international amateur class. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Aguilar’s sweet swing has earned him the nickname “Baby Devers,” likening him to his fellow countryman Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox. With his prowess at the plate and the ability to play at both 2B and 3B, Aguilar has an incredibly high ceiling and could quickly ascend up prospect rankings.

#21: Michael Morales

Another high upside youngster, Michael Morales was Seattle’s third round selection in this year’s draft. An RHP out of Pennsylvania, the high schooler has earned high remarks for his use of technology to best enhance his pitch repertoire.

Coupled with a fastball already in the low 90’s and a projectable frame, Morales could be a major beneficiary of Seattle’s professional grade strength training and advanced pitching instruction. The M’s have shown they have a knack for developing young pitching, and Morales is yet another ball of clay for the team’s development program to optimize.