3 prospects who are most likely to leave their mark on the 2026 Mariners

The past couple of years haven't seen any Mariners prospects come into full bloom. The 2022 season introduced the world to Julio Rodríguez and George Kirby, 2023 saw Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo get their start, but 2024 and 2025 didn't have the same rookie performances.

Emerson Hancock had his rookie year in 2024 to disappointing results, and Cole Young debuted in 2025 to lukewarm numbers. Both were highly-touted prospects within a stacked system, but the Mariners' minor league talent has only gotten better as of late. So with the best yet to come, who are some prospects that could help take Seattle baseball to the next level in 2026?

3 Mariners prospects who could make an impact in 2026

Colt Emerson

The Mariners' top prospect had another outstanding minor league season, posting a 125 wRC+ across 90 games in High-A and a 133 wRC+ across 34 games in Double-A. At just 19 years old, he made huge strides at the plate and in the field, and is living up to the hype that followed his first-round selection in 2023. There's a very good chance that he earns a call-up to the big leagues next year and could even break spring training with the club.

Emerson will likely have to wait another year for J.P. Crawford's current contract to expire before he gets to be the team's starting shortstop, but third base will be fully up for grabs following the departure of Eugenio Suárez. Ben Williamson could get another crack at the job but Emerson would absolutely get playing time priority over him if he does get added to the roster. Along with a Cole Young breakout and a possible reunion with Josh Naylor, Seattle's infield could become a major point of strength for the team over the next few years.

Lazaro Montes

Seattle's No. 3 prospect was an incredible power threat in 2025, hitting a combined 32 home runs across High-A and Double-A to prove that his natural slugging ability does indeed carry over to higher levels of competition. He saw diminished production in Double-A but still posted a 121 wRC+ with a 12.4 walk rate across 64 games. The 20-year old seems slightly less prepared for major league action than Colt Emerson, but he's by no means far off.

The outfield is a little more crowded than the infield, but with uncertainty about Victor Robles's ability to bounce back following a disappointing injury-afflicted season, there might just be an opening in right field next year. As Montes' primary position, it'd be a perfect way to utilize his pop in the lineup without suffering too much from his defensive woes.

Jurrangelo Cijntje

The one-of-a-kind switch pitcher had some kinks to iron out once he started his professional career, but the second half of his season was immensely encouraging. After being promoted to Double-A, he posted a 2.67 ERA with 9.9 K/9 over 33.2 innings. Despite initial questions about whether his unique skillset would be viable at the highest level of baseball, he maintained his unique identity throughout the year and it looks like the Mariners will keep it that way for the foreseeable future.

Barring a trade, Seattle's rotation is locked in with all of the arms under team control for at least a few more years. However, if the Mariners do decide to trade away Luis Castillo, it could open a spot for Cijntje to step up. Otherwise, the organization could debut him as a bullpen arm until there is an available spot in the rotation, a strategy the Milwaukee Brewers have deployed several times in the past with their top pitching talent. Whenever Cijntje does get around to making his debut, be it this year or next, it'll be an unforgettable moment in baseball history and would mark the new era of Mariners pitching excellence.