Mariners' infield prospect crushing it gets promotion to Double-A

The 2023 MLB Draft was a very hyped draft for Mariners fans. Julio Rodriguez was coming off a Rookie of the Year award, giving the Mariners the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) that would award the Mariners with another top pick. The Mariners were also awarded a Competitive Balance Round A pick; all of that is to say that they had three picks in the top 30, setting them up for a very nice haul.

A class headlined by Colt Emerson, Jonny Farmelo, Tai Peete, and Aidan Smith, the under-slot signing of Ben Williamson helped Dipoto and Hollander pull it off. But that under-slot deal looks to be one of the better moves of the draft. The fact that MLB.com stated he wasn't inside the top 250 prospects heading into the draft, makes the move look even better.

Williamson, who signed for just $600K, where his pick value was over $1.4 million, has been a very solid contributor, showing an advanced approach everywhere he's been.

Coming in as the number 15 prospect in the system, according to MLB Pipeline, thanks to an advanced hit tool, with elite-level defense, and some solid line drive pop. Williamson could move quickly through the system. Starting the season at High-A Everett, Williamson quickly proved that he needed more of a challenge. In 29 games there, he was slashing .315/.408/.459. Though he only had one home run, 13 of his 35 hits were extra-base hits, proving that there is legit extra-base hit power, even if it never develops into above average over the fence-type power. He was just given a promotion to join the high-powered Double-A Arkansas Travelers loaded with top prospects like Harry Ford, Cole Young, and Tyler Locklear.

As stated before, Williamson is an elite defender, one that could eventually be a Gold Glove candidate if things fall into place for him. He has moved around the diamond a little bit, playing third base and shortstop (and he's probably athletic enough to play some second base as well), but his future is at third base as a line-drive hitting, high average and on-base, low strikeout third baseman with really good defense.

The Mariners have a plethora of talented infielders, though none of them profile at third base all that well. We could see Williamson as soon as next year, if he can continue to flex his hit tool, defense, and athleticism. Williamson was a solid pick and looks like another steal from Dipoto and Hollander who continue to nail their draft classes.