FanSided

Mariners' Minor League talent shines with breakout stars emerging across affiliates

Harry Ford, Ben Williamson, and Lazaro Montes oh my, the Mariners' farm is raking to start the 2024 season.

By Trevor Pedro |
San Francisco Giants v Seattle Mariners
San Francisco Giants v Seattle Mariners / John E. Moore III/GettyImages
4 of 4
Next

The minor league season is in full swing, and the Mariners' affiliates are brimming with exciting storylines. Each team has unique talent and style, from the dynamic duo in Arkansas to the offensive juggernaut in Modesto to the Northwest League's top hitter in Everett. We'll delve into these narratives monthly in our 'Down on the Farm' series. 

Tacoma Rainiers (17-12, 2nd place PCL West)

The Rainiers entered the 2024 season with the speed to burn and display those wheels daily. They currently lead the Pacific Coast League with 61 steals. The next closest team is Albuquerque, with 48. Outfielder Cade Marlowe is leading the circuit in steals with 17 bags. While the stolen base is crucial to the team's successful start, Jason Vosler's been a high-performing cog in the Rainers' offense.  

Vosler has bounced around the league, making short stints in the Majors and excelling in the minors. However, he is on another level this year, slashing .323/.411/.911 across 27 games. Keep an eye on the 30-year-old infielder/outfielder, especially if the major league team struggles to score runs; he could provide a Mike Ford-type jolt to the offense.

On the bump, Jhonathan Diaz continues to mow down PCL lineups, flashing a fastball with late life and great secondaries. The lefty starter fully bought into the Mariners' pitching philosophy (36 SO/4 BB), resulting in a PCL-leading 0.88 WHIP. 

The 27-year-old is one of the system's most dominant starters and is the first up if injuries hit the major league staff. 

Arkansas Travelers (14-9, 2nd place Texas League North)

The Travs have three of the Mariners' top 10 prospects toiling their wares in the Texas League. Cole Young, Harry Ford, and Tyler Locklear make a formidable top-of-the-lineup. Ford has finally settled into the Double-A level raking over the past two weeks. 

While it's exciting to see the youngsters start to catch on in a new league, Spencer Packard is the one to watch. He's flashing elite bat-to-ball skills and a great understanding of the strike zone (.404 OBP) from the two-hole. The 26-year-old outfielder is long overdue for a promotion and should be in Tacoma by mid-season. 

Logan Evans. What more can I say? The Mariners' 19-ranked prospect is slowly reigning in his control (14 SO/11 BB), but the stuff is electric. 

Evans has 50 grades across the board, and he's holding the opposition to a .217 average. The former Pitt Panther is one to watch, considering the Mariners love to elevate their top starts from Arkansas directly to the majors. 

Everett Aquasox (8-15, 5th place Northwest League)

The Aquasox lost a ton of talent with the promotions of Ford, Young, Reid VanScoter, and a few talented relievers. The record indicates those key departures, but that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare. Everett has the league's third rated hitter in Ben Williamson, who's slashing .330/.390/.869 through 23 games. 

Williamson is giving off Tyler Locklear vibes, raking in the box, and displaying elite fielding. The 23-year-old is the best third baseman in the system, and it's not even close. 

Losing Raul Alcantara and 2023 Northwest League pitcher of the year Reid VanScoter was a massive hit to the pitching staff, and we are seeing the new batch of starters show some growing pains. Analytically driven hurler Michael Morales fronts the staff, is showing increased velocity and better command, which is an exciting development. Another arm to watch is Ryan Hawks; the Mariners' minor league pitcher of the week is on a heater. 

If Hawks continues to develop his secondaries, he could earn the Mariners a second consecutive Northwest League Pitcher of the Year award. 

Modesto Nuts (16-5, 1st place California League North)

You don't have to be a prospect expert to see the talent in the Nuts' clubhouse. Jonny Farmelo, Lazaro Montes, Luis Suisbel, Michael Arroyo... the list continues. This offense is dynamic and one of the deepest in the Minor Leagues. 

Montes continues to address the swing-and-miss scouts attached to him upon signing in 2021. Through 20 games, the lefty slugger has 13 walks and only 15 strikeouts while slashing .280/.388/.851. He's making a concerted effort to pull back on the 70-grade power and trade it in for contact, which shows. However, he will still do damage when a pitcher makes a mistake. 

At 23, Caleb Cali is an older prospect for the league, but he is also crushing Cal League pitching (.371/.474/1.071) and should be in Everett in the next few weeks. 

The bats aren't the only thing driving the Nuts' success. Brody Hopkins, one of the top athletes in the system and a two-way star in college, is settling in on the mound. The control and command would always be Hopkins' bug-a-boo, but he's turned a corner over the past two starts, issuing only three free passes and striking out 10. 

The Mariner's 24th-rated prospect brings a rising fastball that hits the upper 90s and an elite slider that California League hitters have yet to solve (.185 BAA). Hopkins will likely spend the entire season in Modesto, with an off chance he finishes the season in Everett for the stretch run. 

The Arizona Complex League kicks off this weekend. The Mariners' interesting roster includes shortstop Felnin Celestin, who is eager to start his professional career. 

There are waves and waves of talent in the system, and now is the time to get out to the ballpark and get a look at the next Mariner stars. See you down on the farm! 

Next
Home / Mariners Prospects