The Mariners can thank Julio Rodríguez for their latest mega-hot prospect

Jonny Farmelo is back and proving why he’s still one of the Mariners’ top prospects to watch after a blazing start to the 2025 season.
Seattle Mariners Archive
Seattle Mariners Archive | Ben VanHouten/Seattle Mariners/GettyImages

When Seattle Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodríguez captured the 2022 American League Rookie of the Year, the celebration didn’t just end with the trophy. Thanks to the league’s prospect promotion incentive rules, the Mariners were awarded an extra first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft at No. 29 overall.

With that selection, Seattle added another potential star to its growing farm system: Jonny Farmelo, an athletic outfielder from Virginia who had originally committed to play college ball at the University of Virginia.

Seattle had bigger plans and signed him for $3.2 million, convincing him to forgo his college commitment and begin his professional journey immediately. During his debut season in 2024 with Single-A Modesto, Farmelo quickly showed a five-tool set in building excitement about his future in Seattle’s outfield alongside Rodríguez.

Farmelo’s impressive return is turning heads in Seattle’s system

That excitement came to a halt in June 2024 when Farmelo suffered a torn ACL just 46 games into his debut campaign, a season-ending injury that could derail any prospect. However, Farmelo’s determination to come back stronger has been on full display in his 2025 return, and the early results have been nothing short of awe-inspiring.

In just seven games back on the field, Farmelo is reminding everyone exactly why he was such a coveted draft pick. Through 35 plate appearances, he’s already racked up nine hits, seven runs scored, four home runs, and seven RBIs. He’s slashing .281/.343/.781 with a staggering 1.124 OPS. 

The 12 strikeouts in these seven games show that he’s still refining his plate discipline, but that’s to be expected for a 20-year-old prospect who’s shaking off rust after a long absence. What can’t be ignored is the loud contact, the natural power, and the athleticism that’s already resurfacing less than a year removed from surgery.

Farmelo’s scorching start puts him firmly back on the radar as one of Seattle’s top young players to watch. The Mariners’ farm system continues to churn out high-upside talent, and if Farmelo keeps swinging like this, it won’t be long before he’s making noise in the upper levels of the minors — and eventually, in Seattle.