M's prospect Colt Emerson heralded by MLB Pipeline
Another week, another prospect gets some national pub, which underscores the waves of talent in the Mariners' farm system.
Jim Callis, Johnathan Mayo, and Sam Dykstra have been in the prospect game for a few decades, so I'll urge you to take this latest nugget as gospel. This week, the trio released an article on a critical stat for every Major League Baseball franchise's prospects. They discussed A's budding ace Mason Miller's strikeout rate (12.9 between the minors and majors), Angel's Nolan Schaunel's propensity to wind up on base (.531 in minors), and the Mariners' third-ranked prospect, Colt Emerson's video game like OPS (1.045) between the Arizona Complex League and California League.
The third baseman came to the Mariners via the 2023 MLB Draft (22nd overall), and scouts heralded him as arguably the top prep bat in the class. We've written about Emerson and his elite 60-grade hit tool, which he displayed during Modesto's run to the Cal League championship (.302/.436/.880 in 24 contests). While 1.045 is nothing to sniff about, one thing to remember is that Emerson's exceptional ability to barrel the ball and control the zone was the best of any of his prep brethren.
Emerson's success all depends on that hit tool continuing to shine and him tapping into more power as he physically develops. He'll be a must follow next season and if latest praise from seasoned Minor League Baseball insiders, Callis, Dykstra, and Mayo is any indication his stock is rising I'd look to catch him on the diamond in Everett next season.. The dynamic third sacker could move quickly through the Mariner's farm system and possibly span two levels in 2024.