As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The future is bright in Seattle as this is one of the most exciting and skilled farm systems in the game. The Mariners have built a farm system most organizations would kill to possess, and they have done it through a variety of ways. They draft extremely well with first round picks scattered throughout this list with Colt Emerson occupying the top spot. They’ve also done very well on the international market, scooping premium talents like Felnin Celesten and Lazaro Montes to eventually add to a core built around superstar Julio Rodriguez and an elite pitching staff. What the Mariners have done with their young pitchers bodes well for arms like Ryan Sloan and Jurrangelo Cijinte, their most recent top picks who both slot in towards the back half of the top ten. Putting an emphasis on command and athleticism has paid off with George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo. They also have a functioning pitching lab which allows them to develop individualized plans to optimize each arm that comes through. The spending on player development hasn’t translated to free agent spending on the big league roster but they have also proven that they will pay up to keep their guys, most recently signing Cal Raleigh to a contract extension. Exciting times in Seattle, and even though the sun never comes out, the future's still bright.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
Possessing some of the best bat to ball skills in the minor leagues, Colt Emerson is an exciting blend of hit and power potential with up the middle skills on the dirt. Armed with a simple lefty swing, Emerson has more twitch in his hands than is typical for a hit over power guy, allowing him to post some intriguing EV numbers at a very young age. The power is yet to show up consistently in games, but the underlying numbers indicate it’s only a matter of time before he truly breaks out. Emerson was one of the younger players in the Arizona Fall League this past season and dominated the competition, showing off extra base power consistently. Emerson probably won’t win any awards at shortstop, however he’s competent enough to stick at the position thanks to some solid lateral movement and a good arm. He’s been able to steal bases at an above average clip since joining the professional ranks, however his top end speed doesn’t jump off the screen in film. It’s probably a hair above average at present, but might trend down if he adds some bulk down the line. An excellent clubhouse leader and diligent worker, Emerson brings a level of lighthearted intensity to a team that’s both invigorating for teammates and refreshing for fans. For a teenager that’s yet to crack High-A for more than a handful of games, Emerson remains a high floor prospect that possesses intriguing amounts of potential and could realistically be a middle of the order run producer at the shortstop position. Likely at least a few years away, he’s certainly a prominent name to follow closely. - Max Ellingsen
Dynasty Outlook
There’s a lot of similarities in Emerson’s game and his fellow Mariner’s prospect Cole Young. Both possess a valuable hit-tool and a good eye. Whereas Young’s power is just about maxed out, there’s still hope for Emerson to get to more in-game power, although the swing will need to be retooled a bit to maximize that power, which is harder said than done. He’s a very safe prospect and worthy of being in the top 30 fantasy prospects. - Ryan Epperson
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
