MLB Pipeline releases Mariners' Top 30 prospect list and it's chock full of youth

Major League Baseball Pipeline, the renowned prospect evaluators, released their Top 30 list for each American League West team today. As expected, the Texas Rangers and Mariners are battling it out for the strongest farms in the division. While the Rangers have talented hitters on the cusp of the major leagues, the Mariners' high-upside position players played mostly in High-A and below in 2024. 

Most of these prospects have estimated arrival times ranging from late this year to 2027, with most players landing on the end of that timeline. However, some players, including top prospect Cole Young, are already making noise during mop-up duty this spring. 

Athletic backstop Harry Ford (2) might be lagging with the bat in Peoria, but he is flashing an elite arm, having thrown out three would-be base stealers. Other spring standouts include Tyler Locklear (8) and Jonatan Clase (10) with both as the closest prospects to the major leagues. All three 2023 first-round picks have also appeared in late-game action this spring each with varying degrees of success.

Fastest Riser: RHP Jeter Martinez (2023 - NR / 2024 - 18) 

The Mariners signed the analytically driven Jeter Martinez last year through the International Signing Period. The 18-year-old hit the ground running in the Dominican Summer League, earning pitcher of the year honors, making the all-star showcase, and well-developed secondaries to match a big fastball. Martinez should start 2024 in the Arizona Complex League and have the chance to elevate to Modesto by midseason. 

Biggest Faller: RHP Walter Ford (2023 - 8 / 2024 - 28)

Walter Ford joined the Mariner farm system in 2022 and had a ton of helium centered around his prototypical pitcher build and room for growth. Unfortunately, his mid to high-90s fastball dwindled to a low 90s and sometimes high 80s offering. This drop in velocity caused the Mariners' pitching development team to keep Ford to an innings limit and in the Arizona Complex League all season. At the same time, his 2022 draft class peers spent the entire 2023 campaign in Modesto. Reports of the velocity returning should help Ford's case to climb the organizational ladder and this list in 2024. 

Brightest Newcomer: SS Dawel Joseph (17)

Dawel Joseph was another International Signing Period coup due to his advanced five-tool skill set. Scouts are already projecting him as a middle-order bat who should stick at shortstop or even transition to the corner outfield as he grows. The 16-year-old has four tools, all rated 50 and above on the 70-point scouting scale. Joseph should spend his 2024 campaign in the DSL. 

Prospects to Watch:

Brody Hopkins, Teddy McGraw, and Logan Evans could all rise up the Mariners' MLB Pipeline Top 30 prospect board this season as they get their feet wet in Modesto. 

While the current Major League roster has a ton of young talent in George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo, and superstar Julio Rodriguez, this next wave of talent is just as exciting. It should infuse the big-league club with even more talent in the next three years.