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!