Free-falling Mariners call on Cole Young as their savior for a hopeless offense

We’ve seen this story before. Actually, we saw an even more dramatic version of it just last season. The first-place Seattle Mariners, once again, cough up a division lead and scatter accountability like loose change around the clubhouse.

Only this time, the narrative feels slightly different. Instead of deflecting with the usual excuses — whether it’s about managerial decisions or an inactive trade deadline — the Mariners are finally dipping into their reserves and giving their prospects a longer look. Something many fans felt should’ve happened much earlier, perhaps even last year.

Ben Williamson was the first to get an extended audition, and while his initial flashes offered some hope, his momentum (like much of the team’s) has stalled. Now, the Mariners are making another move, this one with a bit more weight.

Cole Young to make MLB debut as Mariners seek a spark

Cole Young, Seattle’s first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, is set to make his Major League debut on Saturday. He'll play second base and bat eighth against the Minnesota Twins at T-Mobile Park.

If you’re not up to speed on what the kid can do, check out Zachary Rymer’s excellent highlight reel — it’s a great primer on what makes Young such an exciting prospect.

But let’s be honest, as thrilling as it is to see Young reach the show, there’s a bittersweet edge to this moment. We wish his debut came under different circumstances. This doesn’t feel like a team finally giving a prospect his due. It feels like a team trying to stop the bleeding.

That said, credit where it’s due — the Mariners’ willingness to develop and keep their talent, rather than dangle them as trade chips, marks a departure from previous front office habits. Seeing Young in a Mariners uniform is a step in the right direction, philosophically speaking. But the timing feels less like a reward and more like a Hail Mary.

Young has certainly earned the shot. He had slashed .277/.392/.461 with five home runs and 26 RBIs in Triple-A Tacoma — easily the best stretch of his professional career. He looks ready. But let’s not confuse this with a Julio Rodríguez-type debut. The situations couldn’t be more different. Julio’s call-up felt like a natural evolution. Young’s feels like a spark plug in a misfiring engine.

The Mariners have dropped seven of their last 10 games and slipped from their perch atop the AL West. Instead of swinging a trade to shake things up, they’re hoping a 21-year-old infielder can inject life into a slumping roster. It’s exciting, yes — but also telling.

We’re rooting hard for Cole Young, and we’d love to be wrong about the circumstances. Maybe he is the spark they need. Maybe this team rediscovers its edge. But for now, it feels less like a bold step forward, and more like a familiar stumble — dressed in new threads.