As a first-round selection in the 2023 draft, the expectations were high for Jonny Farmelo. The young outfielder was taken out of high school and heading into 2024, he was ranked the organization's sixth-best prospect, already ahead of notable names like Ryan Bliss and Ben Williamson. He posted a respectable 126 wRC+ over 221 plate appearances with Single-A Modesto but saw his season cut short after tearing his ACL.
He made it back on the field in 2025 but dealt with more injury problems, this time a stress fracture in his ribs, limiting him to a 103 wRC+ over 129 plate appearances with High-A Everett. He had started the year as Seattle's seventh-best prospect, but with a lack of encouraging data and the surge of other young players in the Mariners' system, it looked like his time as a top prospect was potentially coming to an end. Luckily, he got another chance to set things straight in the Arizona Fall League, a sort of epilogue to this year's minor league season. So far, he has made the most of the opportunity.
Jonny Farmelo's hitting in the Arizona Fall League should serve as a reminder as to why he's a top prospect
Farmelo was one of seven prospects the Mariners sent to Arizona to get some extra work. With plenty to prove and not a lot of time to do it, he has been outstanding at the plate, slashing .250/.440/.500 over his 50 plate appearances so far. His .940 OPS is the second-highest of any player on the Peoria Javelinas with more than 10 games played and he currently leads the team in RBI (12).
Jonny Farmelo stays hot as he blasts his first AFL HR. pic.twitter.com/ChgccjjoTV
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) October 15, 2025
It's an encouraging return to form and is a clear sign that he can still compete when healthy. Although Seattle's outfield is currently stacked with talent, the landscape could be entirely different by 2028 when Farmelo is projected to make his debut, especially if moves are made to cut payroll this offseason in preparation for a big free agent signing.
Farmelo wasn't the only top prospect who had to overcome some obstacles this year, but he is one of the few that is putting his name back on the map with his offseason performance, along with Felnin Celesten in the Dominican Winter League. Because of the wide range of player talent and extremely short duration of the Arizona Fall League, it's important not to over-index on the results. So while we may not be able to definitively say that Jonny Farmelo is back, he is most definitely well on his way.
