Three Prospects Mariners fans should be excited to see in Spring Training
The Mariners have a nice young crop of talent in their farm system which will be on display at Spring Training this year. Here are three prospects to watch for when Spring Training starts in February.
With Spring Training just around the corner, as pitchers and catchers report in less than a month, the attention will be on which Mariners prospects could receive an invite to Spring Training. In last year's draft, the M's reloaded using three first-round draft picks to restock their farm system. They added INF Tai Peete, OF Jonny Farmelo, and SS Colt Emerson, with those selections. All three of those players are now among the Mariners top 10 prospects.
The Mariners have also done a fantastic job of adding young talent through international signings. Adding OF Lazaro Montes, SS Felnin Celesten, and INF Michael Arroyo in recent years. Should Seattle hold on to these talented young players, they could develop into starters for the club in the future. Each of these guys is athletic and has a bunch of tools. Though Montes, Celesten, and Arroyo likely will not make the big league club until 2026 or beyond, they each could receive invites to Spring Training this year.
Of the Mariners prospects who will likely be invited to Spring Training and have a shot to make the big league roster in 2024, that list includes: OF Zach DeLoach, OF Jonatan Clase, 2B Ryan Bliss, SP Emerson Hancock, SP Taylor Dollard, and RP Prelander Berroa. These Mariners prospects will be competing this Spring Training for a chance to make the big league club.
Pitchers Emerson Hancock and Taylor Dollard will be excited to return to action after dealing with injuries in 2023. Zach DeLoach and Jonatan Clase are going to have a chance to show how far they have come in their development. Ryan Bliss hopes to carry the momentum he had in 2023 into Spring Training, after a strong showing in the minor leagues and fall baseball last season. Prelander Berroa looks to compete for a spot in the Mariners bullpen along with several new acquisitions this off-season.
With lots of good young talent in Mariners farm system, which prospects will be the most exciting to watch come Spring Training? Here are the three most intriguing players to watch in Spring Training this year:
2B/SS Cole Young
The current number one prospect in the Mariners farm system, Cole Young is going to be exciting to watch this spring. He has been a rising star in the minor leagues for the M's and could be getting a call to the big leagues in the near future. The Mariners selected Young with the 21st overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Young has continued to make great strides with his development as a middle infielder since he signed with the Mariners straight out of high school.
In 2023, Young started the season at Single-A Modesto where he found success. He produced a .267/.396/.429 slash line for the Modesto Nuts in 78 games. Young also drove in 39 runs, stole 17 bases, and had 32 extra base hits while in Modesto. After making the jump to High-A Everett, Young quickly adjusted to better competition, with a slash line of .292/.404/.494. Overall, Young finished 2023 with a .277 batting average, .399 OBP, .848 OPS, 92 runs scored, 62 RBI, and 11 HR combined between his time in Everett and Modesto.
Cole Young is the Mariners second baseman of the future and Mariners fans should get an up close look at him in Spring Training this year. Young continues to progress through the minor leagues and is going to make the Mariners roster probably within the next two years. With the Mariners in need of infield help, Young is a player to keep an eye on in Spring Training.
Catcher Harry Ford
Harry Ford has been on the list of Mariners top prospects for a while now. Ford was another player the Mariners took out of high school and was selected by the Mariners with the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft. When Ford was taken in the draft, there was speculation as to whether he would stay at Catcher or if the Mariners would move Ford to the outfield. Since Ford possesses tons of athleticism for a catcher and has an above-average run grade from scouts, he could go to the outfield. So far though, the M's have kept Ford at the catcher position throughout his time in the minors.
Currently rated as the Mariners second best prospect in their farm system, Ford shows lots of promise. After posting a .274/.425/.439 slash line in Modesto back in 2022, Ford continued to hold his own in Everett with a slash line of .257/.410/.430. Ford also hit 15 HR, had 43 extra base hits, 67 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 89 runs scored for the Everett Aquasox during the 2023 season. His ability to get on base and wreak havoc on the base paths are valuable offensive traits.
Even though the Mariners have Cal Raleigh as their starting catcher in the big leagues, a team can never have enough catchers. Ford has continued to play well at each stop of his professional career and could make an impact at the big league level in the years to come. At Spring Training, Ford should take the time to learn from Raleigh and continue to take the next steps on his journey to Seattle. While also showing Mariners fans what he is capable of in Cactus League play this year.
OF Jonatan Clase
Jonatan Clase is emerging as a possible addition to the Mariners outfield in 2024. While the Mariners have made several additions to their outfield both during the 2023 season and this off-season, Clase could eventually make the big league club in 2024. Clase has been in the Mariners farm system since 2019. The Mariners took a chance on him by signing Clase as an international free agent at the age of 17. Last season, Clase made the MLB Futures team, and was a member of the American League squad.
During his time in the Mariners farm system, Clase has been well known for his speed and his ability steal bases. Last year he had a total of 72 stolen bases while playing for the Everett Aquasox and Arkansas Travelers. After making a big impact in High-A Everett with a .333/.453/.701 slash line, his numbers tapered off in AA Arkansas, as his slash line was just .222/.331/.396. The next step in Clase's game will be for him to adjust to better pitching. However, his speed should carried him to where he wants to go in his career.
Making the big league roster out of Spring Training this year is going to be a tall task for Clase. Although, he is close to making the major league team. His speed should be on full display in Spring Training, as Clase hopes to make an impression on the Mariners coaches and front office. Regardless of what happens in Spring Training, Clase will be a Mariner in the not too distant future.