Mariners prospect #10 - Jonny Farmelo

The Modesto Nuts roster included three 2023 first-round picks: Colt Emerson, Jonny Farmelo, and Tai Peete, each offering unique skill sets. Emerson has the hit tool, Peete has the power potential, and Farmelo has the high-end speed (60-grade). Farmelo, the 19-year-old outfielder, is our 10th-ranked prospect.

Farmelo played shortstop in high school, but scouts believe his physicality and athleticism will land him in the outfield, which the Mariners started transitioning him to this season. The former University of Virginia commit manned centerfield for the Modesto Nuts, flashing his contact ability and the speed mentioned above to play a critical role for California League North champs.

The 6'2" outfielder is the oldest of his fellow first-round draftees, but that shouldn't stop him from climbing the organizational ladder. The key will be a steady improvement from a power standpoint. If Farmelo can show gap-to-gap power and use his speed to rack up extra-base hits, we could see a meteoric rise through the system. However, the Mariners might opt to keep the trio together a la top prospects Cole Young and Harry Ford.

The sample size is small, as Farmelo only joined Modesto for the playoff run, but the results were indeed tantalizing. Look for the Mariners Developmental staff to keep the galloping centerfielder in Modesto for at least the first half of the season. If the contact and speed continue to play we could see Farmelo finish the 2024 in Everett with Emerson and Peete in tow (hopefully).