Which prospects could make a big leap for Mariners in 2025?

The Mariners have graduated so much farm talent in recent years that it feels as though the well should be running dry. After all, Seattle has placed 36 different players in MLB.com’s Top 100 over the past 20 years.

Somehow, the Mariners still have a wealth of offensive and pitching talent in the system. Savvy draft picks, international scouting, and strong player development have the Mariners pushing for Top 5 farm system status for the first time since 2022. Beyond the notable names, though, lurks unheralded talent waiting to break out.

The Mariners’ farm system features a trove of players on the cusp of a breakout season

Michael Arroyo, 2B/SS

To be fair, Michael Arroyo is far from unheralded, but the 20-year-old infielder could use a big season to break away from the pack. Currently, he is in the middle infield mix with three Top 100 prospects: Colt Emerson, Cole Young, and Felnin Celestin. To avoid the pileup, Arroyo is already getting more time at second base and could see some action at third.

Second base seems to suit Arroyo, who has a higher fielding percentage and range factor at the position than at short. At 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, he would be a player in the mold of Jose Altuve, whose blend of patience and power are starting to become evident in Arroyo. (To be fair, he is much more often and more accurately compared to Howie Kendrick.) With High-A Everett, Arroyo actually got better, maintaining his .397 on-base percentage while raising his slugging by more than 70 points.

While the power surge doesn’t seem sustainable, Arroyo has already proven himself to be an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling, but his youth could put the Mariners in an uncomfortable position. Even if he storms up the minor league ladder, he likely won’t arrive in Seattle until late 2026 or 2027. This season could be the key to convincing the Mariners to wait on his development (or another club to make a push for a trade).

For what it’s worth, Baseball America tabbed Arroyo as the Mariners’ second baseman of the future, forming a double-play combo with Young while Emerson slides over to third. It’s possible that all three are on a collision course at Double-A this year as Young struggled at the level in 2024. Emerson’s Arizona Fall League breakout could be enough to push him through to Arkansas alongside Arroyo in early 2025.

Carlos Jimenez, OF

Another international signing making a splash in the lower levels, Carlos Jimenez graduated to Class A Modesto in June and helped lead the Nuts to a second straight California League title. The 21-year-old reached base in 49 of his 53 games with Modesto. This, combined with his 55-grade speed, have the makings of a future leadoff hitter.

Jimenez will also benefit from the dearth of outfield prospects in the Mariners’ system. He already moved up the ladder in part due to Jonny Farmelo’s season-ending ACL tear, and when Farmelo returns, he and Jimenez will engage in a spirited competition over center field as they rise through the ranks together.

In the offseason, Jimenez is getting valuable experience in the Dominican Winter League where he has played alongside Major League vets such as Ramon Laureano and Tommy Pham. Jimenez’s team is being managed by none other than Albert Pujols, whom Mariners fans will hope can provide the Midas touch to Jimenez.

Spencer Packard, OF/1B

On the other end of the Mariners’ system, Spencer Packard has a chance to break through into the Majors. The outfielder got a second run at Double-A to open the 2024 season and despite a bit of a step back offensively, he joined Triple-A Tacoma in June. Unfortunately, Packard fouled a ball off his leg and fractured his kneecap, ending his season in early August.

Packard, who will be 27 in 2025, has flown under the radar in his professional career, but he is a good contact hitter with a great eye. His 53:64 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 2024 is pretty typical for him, which would be quite an asset on a Mariners team that struck out more than any other big-league club. Additionally, Packard is a left-handed batter, which could fit well in Seattle’s right-handed dominant lineup.

Packard earned a non-roster invite to Spring Training in 2024, and he should merit another if he is fully healthy to start 2025. He has yet to make the 40-man roster, though, which could handcuff the Mariners. With a strong spring, Packard could supplant Cade Marlowe and Dominic Canzone, both of whom have options remaining, as Seattle’s fourth outfielder. At the very least, Marlowe, Canzone, and Packard give the Mariners ample options to replace Mitch Haniger and Mitch Garver after their disappointing seasons.

Brock Moore, RHP

The Mariners’ seventh-round pick in 2024, Brock Moore saw just five innings of game time with Modesto this season. Those five innings, though, immediately proved his skills. The right-hander struck out 10 of the 19 batters he faced and picked up a win in the California League championship series against Lake Elsinore.

Moore is a flamethrowing behemoth. At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, he cuts an imposing figure even before he unleashes his triple-digit fastball. Like other high-velocity relievers, he can be wild at times, and he walked 20 and hit five batters in his 31 innings with the University of Oregon in 2024. He could find success at the lower levels relying solely on his high heat, but he will need to find better command to survive Double- and Triple-A.

Moore could also be an injury concern. He sustained an unspecified injury during the preseason at Oregon, which forced a move from the rotation to the bullpen. At this point, it’s unclear whether the Mariners see him as a starting option or simply a high-velocity reliever. Without a full season of work under his belt, whether Moore can carry a workload is unknown. Regardless of his longevity, watching Moore blow away opposing batters in Modesto and Everett next season will be a treat.

Ruddy Navarro, RHP

An even greater unknown than Moore is teen prospect Ruddy Navarro, who has been working in the Mariners’ Dominican League program for two years. The 18-year-old will likely be heading to Rookie ball in the spring for his first true test.

The Mariners struck gold in the international signing window of 2023, landing Jeter Martinez and Felnin Celesten, who now rank in the club’s Top 20 prospects, according to MLB.com. Navarro was understandably eclipsed by these highly-touted prospects, but he could soon join their ranks. Just 16 at the time of his signing, Navarro already stood 6-foot-1, so there’s a good chance he could fill out and attain some velocity that complements his advanced control and feel.

In Navarro’s eight Dominican League games, he has produced a 1.18 WHIP. In 2024, he struck out 16 and walked just two in 12 innings. His numbers won’t necessarily look that good in the Arizona Complex League, but getting some more innings of experience, just as Martinez did in 2024, will make for a massive leap forward for this promising young arm.

Brandyn Garcia, LHP

After a blistering path through the minor leagues, Brandyn Garcia is now knocking on Seattle’s door. If the rumblings about him helping out the bullpen in 2025 are correct, the southpaw could be the first 2023 draft pick to make it to the Majors. The Mariners have few left-handed relief options on the depth chart as of now, but even if he wins out just because of an open role, Garcia certainly will have done enough to have earned it.

Garcia raced through four levels in two seasons and stretched out to a starting role with High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas in 2024. He has been better in the pros than he ever was in college, producing a 2.21 ERA and a 142:40 K:BB ratio in his two professional seasons. He even earned the Jamie Moyer Co-Pitcher of the Year Award, alongside Double-A teammate Michael Morales, as the best pitcher in the Mariners’ farm system in 2024.

Garcia hammers the strike zone with a clipped, side-arm delivery that leaves batters shaking their heads. That same delivery perhaps led to an uptick in walks per nine with Arkansas. He also saw an increase in hard contact from the more seasoned batters at Double-A; his expected FIP rose to 4.14.

2025 will be the true test for Garcia. Will he be a reliever or a starter? Will he tone down the funky delivery for better repeatability? Will he actually make the jump to the bigs?

While many eyes will be on top prospects Emerson and Young — not to mention catcher Harry Ford, who feels like he’s been in the top ranks forever — as they climb the Minor League ladder. Each level, from Rookie ball to Triple-A Tacoma, boasts its own breakout candidate. If all six of these budding stars fulfill their promise, then Seattle could very well soon see a new class of young homegrown talent.