Baseball America's top 100 update praises 2 Mariners prospects, shades another

Baseball America released its updated Top 100 prospects list, and from a Seattle Mariners perspective, there’s plenty to be encouraged by, along with one notable surprise.

Outfielders Lazaro Montes and Jonny Farmelo both saw their stock rise in a big way, while highly touted shortstop Felnin Celesten was dropped from the list entirely.

Lazaro Montes' dominant 2025 season has him skyrocketing up prospect lists

Montes has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting power bats in the minor leagues. Still just 20 years old, the 6-foot-5 left-handed slugger has lived up to his reputation as a potential middle-of-the-order force. After mashing his way through Low-A Modesto in 2024 with 21 homers and an OPS over .900, he hasn’t slowed down in High-A Everett and now Double-A Arkansas in 2025.

Montes will never be a good defender and probably not even average, but as Baseball America candidly pointed out, "His defense will never be great, but if he can mash like this, it won’t matter."

He has been praised for his improved plate discipline and a more refined approach at the plate. His raw power has always been the headliner with exit velocities in the 110-plus mph range. But what’s earned him national recognition is the fact that he’s learning how to tap into that power consistently without selling out for it. That growth has vaulted him into the top 50 prospects in the game, and with a Futures Game appearance next week, his star is only getting brighter.

Jonny Farmelo's athleticism impresses Baseball America, jumping him into the top 50 prospects

Farmelo, the Mariners’ 2023 first-round pick, has also drawn high praise. The left-handed hitting outfielder posted a .398 OBP in his first 46 professional games last year and impressed evaluators with his advanced plate discipline and defensive instincts. Despite missing time due to a significant knee injury, he’s flashed all five tools when healthy. He wasted no time showcasing his immense upside in his return in 2025, slashing .288/.348/.610 with five home runs in just 15 games.

His speed is a legitimate asset on both sides of the ball and should return after he gets more comfortable on his surgically repaired knee, and his bat-to-ball skills suggest he could move quickly through the system. Baseball America clearly believes in the upside, ranking him among Seattle’s top prospects and slotting him comfortably inside the top 100 overall.

Scouts not impressed with Felnin Celesten's stateside debut, causing Baseball America to drop him out of their top 100 prospects

On the flip side, the surprise omission of Celesten is hard to ignore. Once considered one of the most promising international signees in the game, the 18-year-old shortstop has had a rocky full-season debut in Modesto, with Baseball America saying: "Scouts who have seen Celesten this year haven’t been as wowed as those who saw him last year. He’s been solid but unspectacular in the California League so far."

While flashes of talent are still there, he’s struggled to make consistent contact and has yet to showcase the offensive upside that earned him a $4.7 million signing bonus in 2023. After MLB Pipeline expressed confidence that he would be able to stick at shortstop and be a plus defender, questions have started to arise as well, with the young 19-year-old making 15 errors in just 48 games. While MLB Pipeline still has him ranked inside their Top 100, Baseball America’s decision to drop him suggests some growing concerns around his development.

For now, Mariners fans can take solace in the continued emergence of Montes and Farmelo, two players who look more and more like foundational pieces of Seattle’s future. And while Celesten’s drop is disappointing, it’s far from the end of the road for him. At just 19 years old, there’s still plenty of time for him to get back on track.