Mariners fans abuzz with glowing reviews of underrated prospects

It isn't easy for any single prospect to stand out in the Seattle Mariners farm system. It is universally regarded as one of the best, most recently ranking No. 5 in the league for MLB Pipeline.

Every farm system has its hidden gems, however, and we can thank Jim Bowden of The Athletic and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN for calling attention to three less-heralded Mariners prospects that fans should have their eye on.

All three could impact the big club at some point in 2025, starting with a second-round pick from the 2023 draft who could be Johnny on the Spot if a need arises on the infield.

Ben Williamson impresses the brass

Fans might have noticed that Williamson, a 24-year-old out of the College of William and Mary, has been getting it done at the plate this spring. Through nine appearances, he's 5-for-13 with a double and four runs driven in.

It's on defense that Williamson really excels, however. Though MLB Pipeline has him ranked behind six other infielders in the Mariners system, he is rated as a 65-grade defender who projects to offer "elite-level defense" at third base.

After batting .283 with a .375 OBP in 124 games across the High-A and Double-A levels in 2024, Williamson is a candidate to start 2025 with Triple-A Tacoma. If so, he'll be standing by as a possible fill-in at the hot corner in the event of an injury to Jorge Polanco, who is coming off knee surgery.

For the time being, Williamson has already grabbed the attention of president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto, who told Bowden: “As expected, he’s been outstanding defensively, while also showing real offensive skills.”

Also on the radar: Brandyn Garcia and Troy Taylor

Though McDaniel also has Williamson highlighted as a breakout candidate for 2025, he preferred to focus on Garcia and Taylor as guys who might make an impact in the Mariners bullpen.

Taylor is the only one of the pair with big league experience, having made 21 largely successful (i.e., 3.72 ERA, 11.6 K/9) appearances for Seattle in 2024. He touched 99 mph with his four-seam fastball and featured a sweeper that drew an impressive 44.6 whiff rate.

In ranking Taylor as the No. 17 prospect in the organization, Baseball America expresses concerns about the righty's extension (his is definitely a short-arm delivery, after all) and ability to get left-handers out on a consistent basis. Yet between the arm-side run on his fastball and the devilish glove-side break on his sweeper, the 23-year-old profiles as a potential nightmare for righties.

For his part, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Garcia is definitely not undersized. He works off a sinker that has touched 96 mph this spring. That is unusual territory among southpaws, whether we're talking relievers (i.e., Josh Hader) or starters (i.e., Tarik Skubal).

MLB Pipeline has Garcia ranked as Seattle's No. 16 prospect, appreciating his fastball and ability to miss barrels but raising concerns about his lack of a solid changeup and iffy control. As such, he may be more likely to end working as a lefty relief weapon than as a starter.

Either way, Mariners fans will be glad to know that the team does have at least two wild cards for the pen. While not a weakness, per se, the bridge to closer Andrés Muñoz will need strengthening if Matt Brash and Gregory Santos don't make strong returns from injury-marred seasons in 2024.