Mariners prospect's hot streak gives Jerry Dipoto another card for trade deadline

Jerry Dipoto has established a well-deserved reputation for being able to discover and develop young pitching talent. Well, it might be time to start giving him similar praise when it comes to hitters. One example of this appears to be Jonny Farmelo, based on what he's been doing in High-A Everett.

Farmelo has been on a tear of late with a seven-game hitting streak, as part of an extremely impressive June which includes a 1.313 OPS and eye-watering 227 wRC+ in 12 games. In fairness, the season as a whole has been productive for the 21-year-old, with a .476 slugging percentage, .870 OPS and 129 wRC+ which all project to be career-highs.

To be clear, Farmelo's talent has never been doubted, which is why the Mariners drafted him 29th overall in 2023 and why MLB Pipeline has him as the No. 71 prospect in baseball. What has been doubted is his ability to remain healthy, with two extended stints on the Injured List limiting him to 75 games in his first two professional seasons with the M's organization.

A healthy Jonny Farmelo is a versatile threat to opponents

Now though, Farmelo's injury issues seem to be behind him and he's finally showing what he's capable of when fully healthy. One of the key things which has stood out is all the different ways he can beat opponents. He leads the Northwest League in triples, is second in walks and runs, tied-sixth in stolen bases and only two off the home run lead.

It all adds up to Farmelo ranking third in the Northwest League with a .870 OPS. This also gives credence to the scouting reports which previously indicated he was a budding five-tool player. And all because he's finally fit and healthy, with his 59 games easily a career-high and tied for the lead among all players in the Northwest League.

It's fascinating to think the only reason the Centreville, Virginia native is even with the Mariners is because they were awarded an extra draft pick after Julio Rodríguez was named 2022 Rookie of the Year. However, don't just put this down as good luck, with Dipoto and company helping Farmelo develop his game.

Mariners are stockpiling quality hitting prospects

This is also another example of a growing list of hitters who are enjoying success with the organization. This includes Farmelo's teammate in Everett, Felnin Celesten, who had a 25-game hit-streak which is the longest in the minors this season, and leads the Northwest League with a .906 OPS. And up in Double-A Arkansas, Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo have also both also been hot to varying degrees after beginning the season cool.

Aside from helping improve Dipoto's reputation with discovering hitting talent, the development of the likes of Farmelo, Celesten, Montes and Arroyo could also pay big dividends at the trade deadline. Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan might both be untouchable -- and rightly so -- but the Mariners are still hoping to make a big splash, whether it be Tarik Skubal, Byron Buxton or whoever.

Assuming the young hitters continue to produce, their stock can only rise and provide more enticing options for the M's to dangle in front of other teams. In the case of Farmelo specifically though, all we'll do at this stage is wish him the best in staying healthy, because he deserves his current success after all the adversity he's faced.

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