Surprise Arizona Fall League standout could revive a key Mariners bullpen pipeline

One of the key elements during the Mariners' run of success with 85+ wins each year between 2021-25, was their ability to discover and develop seemingly nondescript relievers. As Adam Jude of The Seattle Times put it however, the well has dried up and the M's are in desperate need of some new relief help. Now, the hope is that Adam Smith can be a key piece in reviving the bullpen.

Just three years ago the Mariners bullpen was among the best in the majors, ranking fourth in team ERA. The 2026 campaign saw them drop all the way to 22nd and got so bad that they were second-worst from June onwards and actually dead last over the final two months of the season. Injuries didn't help, but this also merely exposed the M's lack of quality relief depth.

This turn of events has proved shocking for a team which has done so well in unearthing hidden gems in recent years, including the likes of Paul Sewald, Erik Swanson, Justin Topa, Gabe Speier and Eduard Bazardo. We don't believe the Mariners became complacent, but a refocus on the bullpen was required regardless. And in Smith, they might have just found someone who can provide relief in more ways than one.

Smith's professional baseball career has been anything but smooth since being drafted in the 14th round by the Padres back in 2021. He dealt with injuries early on, spent some time with the Red Sox organization and was pitching in independent ball when the Mariners picked him up at the beginning of May this year. In keeping with his path to date, his time with the M's hasn't always been a bed of roses, but the potential is definitely there to be more than just a depth piece.

Adam Smith has the makings of a middle reliever for the Mariners if he smooths out his rough edges

The 26-year-old was tremendous during 16 relief appearances in High-A Everett, producing a 1.67 ERA and 0.963 WHIP over 27.0 combined innings. This earned him a promotion to Double-A Arkansas, where he did struggle at times, but still showed enough that the Mariners wanted to see more. The result was being named as one of eight players to represent the M's farm system in the Arizona Fall League.

Considering the AFL is a showcase of sorts for some of the best prospects in the game, Smith's inclusion was nothing to take lightly. And yet he still continues to have his challenges through six appearances for the Peoria Javelinas, allowing four earned runs in 5.2 combined innings. Still, the potential is there, with his most impressive showing being a perfect seventh inning against the Scottsdale Scorpions which saw him strike out three legitimate prospects in Bryce Rainer, Jeff Williams and Dakota Jordan.

As much as Smith comes with no guarantees, he's showing enough to catch the attention of the likes of Keith Law. The Athletic's senior baseball writer was full of praise for the righty earlier this month, without going over the top. In particular, Law noted his quality slider, ability to throw strikes and a velocity which reached as high as 96 mph.

Overall, as much as Jude is right about the Mariners' well drying up, they still have a way of finding good arms. Of having someone seemingly come out of nowhere nearly every season, to help the bullpen. Smith still has plenty to prove, but the fact he's made it to Double-A combined with his talent, has us earmarking him as someone who can potentially help the M's bullpen as early as 2027.

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