Mariners challenge the 2 hottest hitters in the minors to conquer Double-A

The midway point in the season is nearing, and the Seattle Mariners have decided to promote two of their hottest prospects to the next level of their minor league system. Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo are both reportedly getting the call-up to Double-A Arkansas.

The pair of 20-year-old sluggers has clearly earned it. The duo currently ranks first and third in the minor leagues in wRC+, according to Fangraphs (among players with at least 300 plate appearances). Arroyo leads all minor leaguers with a 150 wRC+, and Montes is not far behind him at 147. The duo has combined for 33 home runs, with Montes' 18 tied for second in the minor leagues.

Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo are getting a well-earned shot in Double-A

Montes slugged .427 as a 19-year-old for High-A Everett last year, but has taken a big jump in 2025. This year, he's crushing the ball, slugging .572 while walking 15.9 percent of the time. Arroyo, meanwhile, has picked things up exactly where he left off last year. He put together a 150 wRC+ over 60 games at Everett in 2024, and has the exact same mark across 65 games there this season.

Needless to say, it is clear both Montes and Arroyo have figured out High-A pitching. It is time for them to take the next step.

In fact, Arroyo, the club's No. 7 prospect and MLB Pipeline's No. 78 prospect, was recently featured in an article from MLB.com as the Mariners' top prospect pushing for a promotion. In the month of June, he has been on fire with a 1.126 OPS over 18 games.

Montes is also one-dotting the month of June, with an OPS of 1.003, and has been on a recent power surge. He's hit four home runs in his past four games!

Arkansas will present a unique challenge to the duo. Dicky-Stephens Park, the home field of the Arkansas Travelers, is known as one of the more difficult parks to hit in due to its smaller dimensions. Even future superstars such as Cal Raleigh struggled in Arkansas in the past. In 2019, a 22-year-old Raleigh hit for a .709 OPS across 39 games. If Montes and Arroyo struggle, especially early in their Arkansas tenure, it should not ring alarm bells for the organization.

While minor league numbers are not everything, it looks clear that both Arroyo and Montes are taking major steps in their development. While the Mariners did not necessarily need to be aggressive with their promotion, both players have spent nearly a full season at Everett, and it is time for the next step.

At the pace they are climbing the farm, Montes and Arroyo should be contributing to the big league club by 2026. The future looks bright.