Mariners Prospects: Edwin Arroyo is dominating in Modesto

Edwin Arroyo was taken by the Mariners in the second round of the 2021 draft. Just 17 at the time, Arroyo played a bit in Rookie ball and the Puerto Rican league during his first partial season with the Mariners. However, they threw him into the proverbial deep end for someone so young, letting him get his licks in at Modesto in A ball in 2022.

Normally, you would think that someone so young would struggle. His birthday isn’t until the end of August, so it’s just about a full season at age 18. For someone that is 3.1 years younger than the average A-ball player, struggles and cold spells would be expected. In a way, you’d be right… but also very wrong.

Edwin Arroyo has been crushing it for the Modesto Nuts this year in A ball for the Mariners.

On the season, he has compiled a line of .310/.375/.510, with 11 2B, 10 HR, and 12 SB. It’s more than that though. His first 11 games were rough, as he got out to a slash line of .174/.283/.239. Already, you should be realizing how hot he has been since. In the next 48 games, he would go on to hit .342/.396/.573, with 10 2B, 10 HR, and 10 SB, along with 40 RBI, 42 R, and 3 3B. Just 18 years old, and he’s already showing that the world that the Mariners made a great decision to take him with the 48th pick.

People are starting to notice as well, at least the fine folks over at Prospects Live and MLB Pipeline. Prospects Live put him in at 14th after he was drafted. To start 2022, MLB Pipeline had him in at 8th for the Mariners. I think there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that he is going to be higher than that when mid-season updates come out. He’s unlikely to crack the top 100, but it does seem like the Mariners struck gold again with a strong prospect.

Still a few years out, we are unlikely to see Edwin Arroyo til late 2024 at the earliest, and likely not until 2025. Remember, he is going to turn 21 at the end of the 2024 season. He could head into the 2025 season with three full years of minor league action under his belt, prime to take on a role with the Mariners with the big league club.

There was a bit of a worry about his power when he was drafted, but you can see the potential that he brings from his strong start in Modesto. With whippy athleticism, it’s the body type that could produce good power as he grows. Nothing crazy, but low/mid-20s is definitely within reason. For now, the line drive type swing plays well and could lead to an extra-base hit monster as that body matures and grows into his early 20s.

If you think that his bat is what led to him being drafted high, you’d be shocked to learn that it was actually his defense and play at SS that was his calling card. He’s an above-average runner, with a plus arm and glove. When you see how young he is, alongside all that he brings to the table, it’s a bit of a surprise that he fell all the way to 48th.

The Mariners just might have an above-average to pretty darn good major leaguer on their hands. With what he has shown so far (yes, I know it’s early) giving him a 55 FV doesn’t seem crazy. I like to move away from the safe calls and give more of an estimation of what they COULD become, and if you came back from the year 2027 to tell me Arroyo was a fringe all-star in his 3rd full season… I wouldn’t call you a liar.

The biggest issue might just be where to put him. JP Crawford seems to be the current face of the franchise, and Noelvi Marte is going to have third base locked down once he comes up. That locks up the left side of the infield. You know what though? It’s a great problem to have, and years away from a decision needing to be made. For now, just head to Modesto and keep an eye on the stats that Edwin Arroyo is putting up. The kid is special, and Mariners fans should get familiar with another prospect in what is a great Seattle Mariners system.