Overlooked Mariners' top prospect finally showing Seattle what they desperately needed

Jonny Farmelo is ready to break out in the Fall League in 2025. The Mariners' former first-round pick is often forgotten about when we discuss the top prospects in Seattle, probably due to the sheer number of top prospects that the team holds.

Farmelo is still the No. 75 prospect in MLB according to MLB Pipeline, and the Mariners' No. 7 prospect. However, he tore his ACL in June of 2024, and played in just 29 games this season, so the league is still waiting to see how Farmelo will develop throughout the minor leagues.

Farmelo is getting a chance to reestablish his momentum in the Arizona Fall League. And so far, the experience is going well as he's gotten on base at a .430 clip, with seven extra-base hits and seven stolen bases.

The Mariners are finally seeing what they desperately wanted to see from Jonny Farmelo

“I'm feeling good. My body feels good. I feel athletic,” Farmelo told Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. “I feel like I'm moving well. I feel like I'm playing good out here, not like my best."

Farmelo said he is trying to stay appreciative of the fact that he is healthy and able to play.

“It's easy to try and want to have a crazy week and be that guy," said Farmelo. "I want to do that, but I think I have to kind of appreciate that I'm just healthy and I'm here playing baseball."

He said his goal is to enter camp at 100 percent again next spring. Hopefully, the AFL will get him there.

The 21-year-old has shown an ability to draw walks, but also strikes out at an above-average clip. So far, in 17 games, he's walked 17 times and struck out 19 times. While some players thrive as three-true-outcome guys, it would be helpful for Farmelo to cut down his swing-and-miss. He seems to be aware.

"I feel like when I chase in the box, it’s because I got sped up and I'm not taking my breath and I'm not starting early and all the controllable things in my process I can do,” Farmelo said. "That's what I'm trying to work on out here."

Farmelo has a bright future ahead of him. Pipeline gives him an ETA of 2028, which feels reasonable. It would be nice if he were ready to go in 2027, to replace Randy Arozarena in left field if he leaves as a free agent after 2026, but that is probably a long shot due to his injuries. For now, Farmelo just needs to focus on his development as an outfielder and his health.