Mariners Top 30 Prospects: A 2021 Midseason Ranking

Prospect rankings. Whether you love them or hate them, the inevitable midseason rerank of your favorite team’s prospects has come. Minor leaguers have been given the opportunity to play out the majority of their season and display any of the improvements necessary to maintain a successful major league career.

Some have flourished. Others have flopped. Sorting through the statistics to establish a consensus top 30 list for the Seattle Mariners is a time-consuming process for the average fan. That’s why we at Sodo Mojo did it for you!

I, alongside two of my colleagues, Chris O’Day and Jason Smarr, each assembled our own top 30 prospect lists. Then, after compiling the lists and assigning point values in accordance with their relative rank in the system, a collective “Sodo Mojo Ranking” was created.

Coupled with the rankings will be a general rundown on each player in the Sodo Mojo top 30 as well as all of our personal lists besides the group’s ranking. Let’s kick things off with some of the names that just missed our list…

Mariners Top 30 Prospect Honorable Mentions

Dayeison Arias, RHP

Luis Curvelo, RHP

Tyler Keenan, 3B

Elvis Alvarado, RHP

Devin Sweet, RHP

Kristian Cardozo, RHP

All of these players received top 30 votes from members of our team, yet fell short of making it into the collective top 30. If interested, those with links on their names within the tables have interviews you can listen to. With these acknowledgments out of the way, let’s begin the rankings!

#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.

#20: Jonatan Clase

Jonatan Clase is a lightning-fast outfielder signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. The short-statured CF has stolen 16 bases without being caught all year and appears to be learning how to switch hit. Clase has an incredibly strong work ethic and is obsessed with improving both his body and skills to maximize his potential. The 19 year old is off to a fine start for his 2021 season and should only continue to improve.

#19: Isaiah Campbell

Vying to be the first Portugese MLB player since 1875, Isaiah Campbell is a 6’4″ RHP drafted out of Arkansas in 2019. The big right-hander was an invitee to the “Summer Camp” instructional training over the 2020 pandemic and was able to improve alongside other top prospects. Currently on the injured list, Campbell has shown great success in High A Everett when healthy.

Campbell expects to move quickly through the system upon his return from the IL and could be a contributor to the big league squad as soon as the end of beginning of the 2023 season.

#18: Alberto Rodriguez

The compensation for last years Taijuan Walker trade, Alberto Rodriguez is an outfielder hailing from the same town as Noelvi Marte, one of the Mariner’s premiere prospects. While he has been longtime friends with Noelvi, he can bring much more to the table than mere companionship. Currently slashing .286/.379/.475, Rodriguez has coupled a very promising bat with solid defense in the corner outfield positions. Just 20 years of age, Rodriguez has a bright future ahead of him.

#17: Kaden Polcovich

Kaden Polcovich was drafted in the third round of the 2020 draft out of Oklahoma State University. The epitome of a super utility player, Polcovich can play all over the diamond with solid skills in both the infield and the outfield.

After an exceptional start in High A Everett with an OPS of .920, Polcovich has struggled mightily after the jump to Double A Arkansas. Despite his struggles, the defensive utility and flashes of offensive upside remain key factors into his development path and leave plenty of room for growth for the Oklahoman.

#16: Juan Then

Juan Then is a RHP acquired in the Edwin Encarnacion trade in 2019. A fireballing right-hander, Then likely projects to be a back-end reliever at the major league level. While there is still a chance he could start, his struggles this year may push the Mariners to shift his development to operate as a multi-inning reliever rather than a pure starter.

Despite the lack of results this year Then possesses the tools to become a successful major league pitcher. Already on the 40-man roster, expect to see Juan Then in the big league bullpen sooner rather than later.

#15: Edwin Arroyo

The Mariner’s second round draft pick in the 2021 draft, Edwin Arroyo is a SS out of Puerto Rico. With a cannon arm and premiere defensive range, there is no doubt the young Puerto Rican can stick at SS. One of the youngest players selected in this years draft, the 17 year old will benefit greatly from a guided development program.

The bat lags behind the glove right now, however the hit tool has shown flashes of serious upside. While you likely won’t see him in the big leagues any time soon, keep a close watch on Arroyo as his career goes on.

#14: Milkar Perez

An international signing out of Nicaragua in 2018, Perez has shown a tremendous ability to get on base in his time as a professional. Currently sporting a .474 OBP this year, the 19-year-old third baseman still has plenty of time to let his body mature and fill out his 5’11 frame. Should more power come from Perez’s bat, Perez will fly up scouting boards and has the chance to grow into a top 10 prospect in an already strong Seattle system.

#13: Andres Munoz

While technically not considered a prospect by definition, we decided to include Munoz in our list considering he has only 23 major league innings and is still just 22 years old. Munoz is the prototype for a high-leverage reliever. With a 100+ MPH fastball and a devastating slider at his disposal, Munoz has already struck out 30 batters in his short stint as a big leaguer. Currently on the cusp of his recovery from Tommy John surgery, look for Munoz to be a major contributor to the Mariner’s 2022 bullpen.

#12: Adam Macko

A Slovakian LHP that was drafted out of a Canadian high school in the seventh round? Adam Macko’s progression to professional baseball has been anything but normal. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old starter has shown immense stuff from the left side.

Armed with a low-to-mid 90’s fastball and two devastating breaking balls, Macko has struck out 56 batters in just 33.1 innings. I am personally very high on Macko’s abilities and believe he has a real shot at being a serious contributor at the major league level. He has significant breakout potential.

#11: Connor Phillips

Just missing the top 10, Connor Phillips was a Compensation Round B pick out of McClennan CC in Texas. Similar to his Modesto teammate Adam Macko, Phillips has shown a proficiency for striking people out. His 82 K’s in 61 innings have been a serious bright spot in Phillips’ young career.

While he needs to limit his walks, the stuff is electric and there is little reason to believe the exceptional pitching development team Seattle has in place can’t help him alleviate that issue. If Phillips can limit the walks, the stuff will carry him to a successful major league career as a starting pitcher.

#5: Cal Raleigh

Cal Raleigh, a rare switch-hitting catcher, can absolutely rake. After slashing an absurd .324/.377/.608 in Triple A Tacoma, Raleigh has come up to the major league and shown flashes of offensive prowess. His time at the big leagues has been far from smooth sailing, however his immense power potential and greatly improved defensive abilities are undeniable. Raleigh is slated as the backstop of the future and is expected to be a major part of the Mariner lineup going forward.

#4: Emerson Hancock

The Mariner’s first-round selection in the 2020 draft, Emerson Hancock is a consensus top 100 prospect in all of baseball. Drafted out of Georgia, Hancock was seriously considered as the first overall selection that year. Fortunately for Seattle, he ended up falling to sixth overall and has been lights out his entire professional career. With a 2.50 ERA and a BAA (Batting Average Against) of .174, it’s clear Hancock sports major potential and has top of the rotation capabilities.

#3: George Kirby

The pitcher with the most potential of any other hurler in the system, George Kirby has come a long way since being drafted in the first round out of Elon. Now sporting a fastball that sits in the upper 90’s with three average or better secondary pitches, Kirby’s stuff is incredibly good. Coupled with unparalleled command (9 BB’s his entire professional career) and elite run prevention, (2.16 ERA) Kirby is a future staple of Seattle’s rotation down the line. Look for him to debut in mid-to-late 2022 or early 2023. He is a can’t miss prospect.

#2: Noelvi Marte

The best Mariner shortstop prospect since Alex Rodriguez, Noelvi Marte has the potential to be a franchise-altering talent on the infield. With blazing speed, immense raw power, and above-average contact ability, there are very few holes in Marte’s game.

There is a chance he will be forced to move to third base, however his bat is so dynamic that it frankly wouldn’t matter. He can play either position and the bat would play. Marte won’t be seeing the big leagues for at least a few more years, however, when his time comes, you won’t want to miss it.

#1: Julio Rodriguez

Julio Rodriguez. The crown jewel of the Mariner farm system. The big right fielder is one of the truly untouchable assets in all of baseball. Whether it’s leading the Dominican team to a Bronze Medal in the Olympics or destroying the competition in the minor leagues, Julio is an absolute force to be reckoned with. Slashing .323/.416/.547 as a 20-year-old in Double A Arkansas, he’s one of the best hitters at the level while simultaneously being one of the youngest players at the level.

He has an electric, loveable personality and thrives under pressure. This may sound brash, but I simply can not see a scenario where Julio doesn’t excel as a big leaguer. He wants to be great and has supreme physical traits with a fantastic work ethic. The rest of the league needs to watch out for Julio Rodriguez.

Final Compilation of All Rankings

As evidenced by the discrepancies in our personal lists, prospect ranking can be a tough science to nail down. Do you agree with our lists? Who would you have included on your top 30 rankings? Let us know! There is an abundance of interesting names in the Mariner’s farm system and we want to hear your thoughts about them. Let us know where we went wrong, or who you agree with the most! Go, Mariners!