Here are the Mariners' 2023 Top 30 prospects
Daniel Kramer
@DKramer_PEORIA, Ariz. -- There's no question that the Mariners' farm system looks lighter than at this time last year, when they were ranked No. 2 overall by MLB Pipeline, a byproduct of graduating some of their top talent and leveraging some of their prospect capital in impact trades. Those transactions also helped Seattle snap its 20-year postseason drought, perhaps the cost of doing business.?
"The depth is rarely going to be where it was a year ago," president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. "We got spoiled. ... At a certain point you just graduate out of that, and then you have to start the process over again. But that's what I addressed at the end of [last season]. We think we're much further along in that process than most would identify with."
Indeed, the Mariners have another wave of pitching prospects that could impact the Major League team as soon as this season, headlined by Bryce Miller, their No. 2 prospect who has already wowed in Spring Training. Emerson Hancock (No. 4) and Bryan Woo (No. 6) are also in that category, potentially serving as rotation reinforcements if one of their six current starters goes down or a valuable piece to a bullpen that has been one of the AL's best the past two years.?
Seattle's position player nucleus isn't as close to the Majors, but there's plenty to like among middle infielders Cole Young (No. 3), last year's first-round Draft pick, and Felnin Celestin (No. 5), who signed in January as part of this year's international signing class. And who can forget about Harry Ford (No. 1), the incredibly polished and athletic backstop who has all the makings of a potential star.
So, while the Mariners aren't as loaded as they had been in their rebuild, they have a foundation to develop and sustain, which could keep the window of contention wide open in Seattle for years to come.
Here's a look at the Mariners' top prospects
1. Harry Ford, C (MLB No. 49)
2. Bryce Miller, RHP (MLB No. 98)
3. Cole Young, SS
4. Emerson Hancock, RHP
5. Felnin Celestin, SS
Complete Top 30 list ?
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2021 preseason list to the 2022 preseason list.
Jump: Bryce Miller, RHP (2022: 24 | 2023: 2)
Miller's climb up the rankings was just as rapid as his ascent within the organization, having climbed three Minor League affiliates to finish the year strong at Double-A Arkansas. Just as impressive as the continued development his high-90s heater and elite slider was that he held his stuff throughout 27 outings and 133 1/3 innings, never missing a start. For these reasons, and for how good he's looked in camp so far, he'll almost certainly reach the Majors this year, it's just a matter of when and what role.?
Fall: Milkar Perez, 3B (2022: 13 | 2023: NR)
After climbing to Low-A Modesto to finish 2021, Perez experienced a significant decline in production, slashing .145/.325/.168 (.492 OPS) there in 54 games. His defense also went backwards in a lot of ways, suggesting that if he does get back on track, that first base might be the more certain spot long term.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Cole Young
Power: 60 -- Lazaro Montes
Run: 70 -- Jonatan Clase
Arm: 60 ¨C Harry Ford (Josh Hood)
Defense: 55 -- Felnin Celestin (Axel Sanchez)
Fastball: 65 -- Bryce Miller
Curveball: 60 -- Chris Clarke
Slider: 55 -- Prelander Berroa (Bryce Miller, Emerson Hancock, Taylor Dollard, Isaiah Campbell, Ashton Izzi, Jean Munoz)
Changeup: 55 -- Emerson Hancock
Control: 60 -- Chris Clarke (Taylor Dollard)
How they were built
Draft: 17 | International: 10 | Trade: 2 | Rule 5: 1
Breakdown by ETA
2023: 11 | 2024: 6 | 2025: 5 | 2026: 6 | 2027: 2
Breakdown by position
C: 1 | 1B: 1 | 2B: 1 | 3B: 1 | SS: 5 | OF: 6 | RHP: 14 | LHP: 1