Mariners fans alerted to 2 minor league teams that offer actually exciting baseball

The 2025 season is not off to a strong start for the Seattle Mariners at the major league level. The team has lost eight of its first 13 games, falling into a tie for last place in the AL West in the process. If they're not quite sleepless in Seattle, they're definitely restless.

Yet there are places Mariners fans can turn to if they want to see good baseball within the organization. In particular, Ben Weinrib and Ben Samson of MLB.com highlighted two minor affiliates that are absolutely loaded with prospects.

In the No. 2 spot on the 10-team list is the High-A Everett AquaSox, who boast three top-100 prospects and eight of the best talents within the Mariners system. This is the same squad we hyped up last week, and the hype has only grown since they began playing games.

In the No. 8 spot is the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. This squad "only" has two top-100 prospects and five of the Mariners' best prospects. Yet even among this relatively small bunch are players who could help the big club sooner rather than later.

Mariners fans should absolutely be paying attention to what's happening in Everett and Tacoma

On the AquaSox: 2 elite hitters and a one-of-a-kind pitcher

The AquaSox boast the Mariners' two best prospects for MLB Pipeline in shortstop Colt Emerson (No. 1) and right fielder Lazaro Montes (No. 2), and both are already making waves.

Emerson and Montes have a combined 10 hits in 27 at-bats with six extra-base hits and 10 walks. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Montes is fresh off being named the Northwest League Player of the Week, and he kept right on rolling on Tuesday with an excellent catch and his second homer of the young season.

Everett is also home to switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (No. 9), who impressed everyone in his professional debut on Saturday. The jury is out on how much he's going to get out of his left-handed pitching going forward, but his right arm alone has upside worthy of a future ace.

Other prospects of note for Everett include infielders Michael Arroyo (No. 7), Tai Peete (No. 12) and Luis Suisbel (No. 29), as well as catcher Josh Caron (No. 21) and right-hander Brock Moore (No. 23). Caron is off to a hot start with seven hits, a home run, and five RBI through his first four appearances.

The caveat with the entire Everett roster is that nobody on it is an especially good bet to make the majors in 2025, as there are two whole levels to conquer between High-A and MLB. But for anyone who tunes in, it'll be like watching the 2027 Mariners a couple years early.

On the Rainiers: As many as 5 players who could help the Mariners soon

As for the Rainiers, Mariners fans' eyes should be firmly fixed on infielders Cole Young (No. 3), Tyler Locklear (No. 11) and Ben Williamson (No. 13), as well as catcher Harry Ford (No. 4) and right-hander Logan Evans (No. 10).

Each of those first three names must be on the radar of Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto, who needs to be thinking about answers for an infield that is already in disarray. Locklear has power worthy of the cold corner, while Young is a potential answer at second base with Ryan Bliss now on the injured list with a torn biceps.

Williamson, meanwhile, is dazzling on defense at the cold corner with what seem to be nightly highlights. He's also showing signs of life at the dish with a recent run of well-struck balls.

At the majors, Jorge Polanco has been rendered unable to play third base everyday with soreness in his knee and side. His future may be at DH, while Dylan Moore would be better used as a utility man than as an everyday third baseman. Thus, there's an opening for Williamson.

As for Ford, he's arguably a better backup for Cal Raleigh than Mitch Garver right now. He may also be the solution for the void at leadoff opened up by Victor Robles' shoulder injury. He's gotten some reps there for Tacoma and put together some good at-bats as he's racked up an early .370 OBP.

There won't be an opening for Evans in Seattle's rotation once George Kirby returns from shoulder inflammation, but he should arguably be the next man up if someone else gets injured. As much as he lacks one standout pitch, he has as many as half a dozen different offerings to show hitters and he generally knows where they're going.

To be sure, 13 games is too few for the Mariners to throw out their best-laid plans and call up the kids. It is nonetheless some comfort that they even have that option for 2025, and even more so that they'll still have plenty of exciting call-ups to make in 2026 and beyond.