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Mariners Prospect Pipeline is Loaded with Middle Infield Talent

Through multiple channels, including the international signing pools and the June amateur draft, the Seattle Mariners have stacked their farm system with high end talent in the middle infield.

By Aidan Smith |
Colt Emerson, Tai Peete
Colt Emerson, Tai Peete / Steph Chambers/GettyImages
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The 55 FV Guys- According to MLB Pipeline's list, the Mariners possess two middle infielders who project to be above-average everyday players (55 FV), Colt Emerson and Cole Young. Cole was Seattle's first-round pick in 2022, with Emerson being selected in the 1st round in June 2023. Emerson hit .374 in 24 minor league games in his first taste of pro ball, drastically outperforming the high expectations that the organization had for him last season.

Time will tell if the 18-year-old can stick at shortstop, but he should be a solid defender if he ends up migrating to the keystone as he ascends through the system. The hit tool is the most exciting thing on Colt's scouting report, but he could run into some home run power too if the raw power translates at the higher levels.

Cole Young has raked at every level, earning his spot as the Mariners' #1 prospect according to MLB.com. In his first full pro season, he walked 88 times and finished with a .399 OBP, while only striking out 90 times in 126 games. The power in the gaps was encouraging, and the .848 OPS was a great start to Young's minor league career. The Mariners will look for Young to continue his development at the plate, and potentially tap into his power more in his second full season. Young is a capable defender but seems quite likely to move to second base in the next year or two, according to scouts.

The Utility Guys- Ryan Bliss hit .358/.414/.594 last year in Double A shortly before a AAA promotion and a trade to Seattle for Paul Sewald. Bliss saw diminished production in AAA, with a combined OPS of .779 between Reno and Tacoma. Even still, a .779 OPS is solid everyday production in the MLB if you're playing in the middle infield, and Bliss hit .304 and stole 55 bags across all of his 128 games in 2023.

Bliss is only 5'6" and doesn't project to have much game power, which is his biggest obstacle from playing every day in the show. Likely an infield utility player, but I expect him to be a productive offense-first role player, who can rake and terrorize the opponent on the base paths.

Michael Arroyo is only 19, but has a similar offensive profile to that of Ryan Bliss. Both have above average hit tools but may not have enough power to play every day. Michael struggled in Modesto in 2023, and 2024 is an important season for him to prove he can be a top-of-the-order bat against pro pitching.

Arroyo doesn't have the game-changing speed Bliss has, which makes the ability to play multiple positions even more important. If the power shows up and Arroyo can play multiple positions, he could be a valuable asset. If he can't tap into the power or defensive versatility, he doesn't have a viable path to a long MLB career.

The Unproven, High Ceiling Kids- Felnin Celesten signed for $4.7M with the Mariners in 2023, while Dawel Joseph signed for $3M in 2024. Both are high-end international prospects and talented teenagers with raw tools, but we don't know how they will fare against pro pitching. Since neither has played pro ball yet, we should be cautiously optimistic about their potential. That said, Celesten is projected as a five-tool player and probably has the highest defensive ceiling of any middle infielder in the Mariners' system.

Since Joseph is only 16 and has so much projection left, he doesn't have a true defensive home at this point. While he may end up in the infield or the outfield, there's no doubt about his raw power for a player his age.

Finally, Tai Peete was drafted in 2023 and is still only 18 years old. A two-way player back in high school, Peete has the power, the speed, and the glove. As is the case with many tremendous athletes, it will likely come down to the hit tool for Peete. If Tai can develop contact ability in his development and find a way to hit .260, he'll likely make multiple All-Star teams in the MLB.

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