Forgotten Mariners prospect is back on the radar after sneaky adjustment

The Seattle Mariners’ farm system has long been considered one of the deepest in baseball — and they’ve been flexing that muscle all season long. This time, the buzz is coming out of Triple-A Tacoma, where a once-fading prospect is quietly forcing his way back into the conversation.

Tyler Locklear, a name many Mariners fans remember from past prospect lists and a brief big-league cameo in 2024, is showing signs that his time may be coming — again. After an underwhelming Mariners debut where he hit just .156/.224/.311 with two home runs in 16 games, Locklear was sent back to Tacoma with a clear objective: Refine his approach at the plate and make more consistent contact.

Tyler Locklear forces Mariners to take notice after batting stance adjustment in Tacoma

That mission seems very much in progress, so what’s changed?

As noted by the Mariners Minors account on X, it starts with a subtle but impactful tweak to Locklear's swing mechanics — specifically during his load phase. Earlier this season, Locklear’s hands were positioned higher, level with his head. Take a look below:

Now, his hands start lower — below the letters on his jersey, sitting under the shoulders — which seems to be giving him more control and better rhythm as he moves into the zone.

In most standard swing mechanics, hitters are taught to bring their hands back to shoulder height and behind the back shoulder to generate power and maximize bat speed. But as with so many things in baseball, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The beauty of the sport lies in how players adjust and tinker until they find what works for them. Locklear's current form might not be textbook, but it’s working — and that’s all that matters.

After hitting just two home runs across April and May (with 24 RBIs over 50 games), Locklear has caught fire in June. He’s slashing .304/.402/.623 with a 1.026 OPS, five home runs, and 15 RBIs in just 19 games this month. On the season, he’s posted a strong .289/.378/.455 line with eight homers, 41 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases — a rare and intriguing blend of power and speed for a first baseman.

This isn’t a case of empty Triple-A production. This is the kind of sustained performance that earns second chances — and the Mariners may eventually have an opening.

Seattle recently designated Rowdy Tellez for assignment after Luke Raley returned from injury, creating a reshuffling at first base. Raley is expected to split time between first and right field, while veteran Donovan Solano — who’s been red-hot in June, hitting .467/.500/.800 over his last 10 games — holds down the right-handed side of the platoon. But Solano’s early-season struggles (that witnessed him flirting with the Mendoza Line) still hold weight. If his bat cools, the Mariners could find themselves in need of a more long-term right-handed option at first.

That’s where Locklear comes in. No one in the front office is eager to see Solano regress, but Locklear’s emergence provides a valuable safety net. He’s producing. He’s healthy. He’s making meaningful adjustments. And he’s located just 35 miles south of T-Mobile Park — one hot streak or injury away from another opportunity.