Colt Emerson is making his case for Julio Rodríguez treatment by Mariners in 2026

The Seattle Mariners have no shortage of talent bubbling up through their farm system. It’s been the backbone of their revised long-term strategy: build from within, develop in waves, and let the homegrown core lead the way.

While most projections had top prospects like Harry Ford and Cole Young pegged as the closest to cracking the major league roster between this season and next, one name is quickly forcing his way into the conversation: infielder Colt Emerson.

Emerson, still just 20 years old, has put together the kind of season that makes you pause and wonder if the Mariners might consider accelerating his timeline. After flashes of progress across 2023 and 2024, he’s turned a major corner in 2025. The highlight moment came with his first multi-homer game as a pro, but it wasn’t just this one big night, it’s a season-long pattern of growth.

Mariners prospect Colt Emerson could follow Julio Rodríguez’s fast track to MLB

In his first 94 professional games spread across 2023–24, Emerson managed just six home runs. This year? Fourteen.

Pair that with a rock-solid slash line of .277/.378/.453 and an .831 OPS over 110 games, and the picture starts to look less like “promising prospect” and more like “legitimate fast-riser.” Add in 117 hits, 20 doubles, six triples, 67 runs scored, and 64 RBIs, all while drawing nearly 60 walks, and Emerson is showing the plate discipline and power progression that screams big-league potential.

For Mariners fans, it raises the question: could Emerson follow the Julio Rodríguez blueprint and make the leap straight from Double-A to the majors in 2026? On paper, it feels ambitious, maybe even reckless. But then again, so did Julio’s path back in 2022, and we all know how that story turned out.

If Emerson forces his way into Seattle’s plans next spring, the Mariners will face some tough decisions, starting with the future of J.P. Crawford. The longtime shortstop has been a steady presence and a fan favorite, but he’ll be entering his age-31 season in 2026, the final year of his contract. That’s hardly “old,” but with the Mariners focused on building around youth and long-term sustainability, Emerson’s rapid rise could put Crawford’s role to the test.

There’s also the undeniable intrigue of pairing Emerson with Cole Young, Seattle’s other prized young infielder. Imagining a double-play combo of Emerson and Young anchoring the infield for the next decade is enough to make fans forget about the growing pains that come with breaking in young bats.

The Mariners are in a fascinating stage of their build. They’ve weathered their share of ups and downs in recent seasons, but the front office has been steadfast in its commitment to developing a steady stream of homegrown talent. Cole Young breaking through was step one. Colt Emerson could very well be step two.

So, is it a stretch to think Emerson could break camp with the 2026 Mariners? Maybe. But then again, Seattle isn’t afraid to dream big when it comes to its brightest stars. And if the Mariners want to keep their window wide open, they may have to give Emerson the same treatment they gave Julio. Trust the talent, and let the kid play.