ESPN's way-too-early MLB mock draft has Mariners taking intriguing lefty in 2025

For a team that's whole focus is drafting, developing and trading talent to build out its major league roster, this time of year is paramount. With the newly implemented draft lottery taking place this offseason, along with potential competitive balance picks being handed out, Jerry Dipoto and the Seattle Mariners could not have seen it all play out any better.

During the draft lottery, the Mariners had the 15th-best odds at the No. 1 overall pick and would have been excited to work within the 10-15 range. Things got really crazy when Colton Cowser had announced the 6-18 picks, guaranteeing the Mariners a top-five selection.

Luckily, Seattle was able to nab the third overall pick, in easily the biggest jump in the draft. Along with that, they were awarded the third pick in the competitive balance round A, a pairing that likely adds somewhere between $8-$9 million in bonus pool money, an absurd amount for Dipoto to play with.

Though there is a lot of time until next year's draft, fans should be excited about the prospect of Dipoto getting to select a potential top-three talent with an insane bonus pool to work from.

Shortly after the event, a mock draft from ESPN's Kiley McDaniel had Mariners returning to familiar territory with the highest pick in the Dipoto era.

ESPN has Mariners taking Florida State LHP Jamie Arnold in 2025 MLB Draft

The old adage, "the rich get richer" could not be more applicable here as the Mariners have accumulated some of the best pitchers in the game of baseball with one of the best farm systems. While Arnold's timeline might not necessarily line up with that of Luis Castillo, he could be next in line, along with Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo, Jurrangelo Cintje and Ryan Sloan as the next crop of great Mariners' pitchers.

"He now has one of the best college fastballs in recent memory because his command is still solid and he's combined it with a uniquely low release due to his low arm slot that is perfect for generating whiffs at the top of the strike zone. Arnold has a nasty plus sweeper that breaks across the strike zone. He should move quickly through the minors, and the Mariners' recent history of pitching development fit his skills well."

While many fans might clamor for offensive upside next summer, drafting this early and getting this opportunity, you have to take the best player available. In this case, Kiley McDaniel thinks that is Jamie Arnold, a player that the Mariners could maximize the skill set of.

Arnold looks like the type of pitcher that the Mariners drool at the opportunity to get into their camp, and he could be next in line, potentially with the highest ceiling of any of the recent successful Mariners arms.