M's prospects making noise in AFL
Early returns on Mariners' Arizona Fall League prospects more than solid, if not spectacular.
By Trevor Pedro

The Mariners use the Arizona Fall League to challenge prospects and help prepare them for quick rises through the system. This season's crop includes a good mix of high-leverage relievers (Peyton Alford, Jarod Bayless, Leon Hunter, Troy Taylor) and high-upside prospects (Harry Ford, Ryan Bliss, Tyler Locklear). This group of players is about a week into their stay in the desert, which could be considered small sample-size territory. However, let's highlight the Mariners' top performers in one of the premium off-season leagues.
Top Hitter: Ryan Bliss
Bliss has a metric ton of helium attached to his game, and rightfully so. The dynamic infielder is one of three minor leaguers to accumulate at least 20 homers and 50 steals in a season. After joining the Mariners' organization in the Paul Sewald trade, he had to make some minor adjustments, mainly a better eye at the plate. Bliss showcases those skills in the AFL, walking six times and striking out two times in four games. The walks are great, but it's a four-hit night that put him into the spotlight.
Ryan Bliss 4-4, R, RBI, SB. https://t.co/jALh4sGTuM
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) October 6, 2023
Locklear had his coming out party last Saturday night, driving in four runs, including a no-doubt homer (107 EV) for Peoria. The former second-round pick also made Major League Baseball Pipelines' top performer list. Ford made some noise launching a homer in his first game, but more importantly, he's showing mastery of the strike zone, challenging multiple calls correctly.
Top Pitcher: Troy Taylor
The Mariners took a different approach with pitchers and the AFL this season, sending all relievers to the fall circuit. Each relief arm brings a diverse skill set, but all offer some deception. Taylor has appeared in two games thus far, racking up two innings and three strikeouts.
Troy Taylor strikes out 3 in his 1st Arizona Fall League inning. Coming off a great end to the MiLB season. Last 17 appearances: 0.42ERA, 21.2IP, 7H, 4BB, 21K, .100 BAA.
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) October 4, 2023
The 22-year-old reliever has an exciting pitch mix (fastball, curve, changeup), which he leaned on heavily across two levels this season (Modesto, Everett). He played a considerable role in the Aquasox bullpen, helping lockdown late-inning leads during the stretch run, appearing in eight games, and holding opposing hitters to a .147 average. As for his AFL performance, look for Taylor to continue to flash in the late innings for a Peoria squad with championship aspirations.
We'll check in later this month for a deeper dive and a better sample size from this promising crop of youngsters. But for now, Bliss and Taylor take top honors from the desert.