Five players the Seattle Mariners could target with the No. 35 pick

The Mariners hold the No. 35 pick in the 2025 MLB draft, who could they target in that range?

Earlier in the week we discussed five players the Mariners could target with their prized No. 3 pick in the draft (you can find that article here). Today we are going to dream on a five players that could be available in the range of Seattle’s Competitive Balance Round A pick, which lands at No. 35.

It’s early and there is plenty of time for these guys to rise and fall on teams’ draft boards before the draft. Here’s five guys that I am high on that project to be in the neighborhood of No. 35 as it stands.

1. Dean Curley, SS — Tennesseee

HEIGHT: 6-3

WEIGHT: 212

2024 STATS: 268 PA, .285/.386/.502, 12 HR, .888 OPS

Let’s just start with a video of Curley destroying a baseball on the first day of the 2025 college baseball season:

The Pomona, California native should be able to stick at shortstop. He possesses a plus arm and has good instincts seeing the ball off the bat. There is some concern about lateral quickness and a move to third may be in order down the line.

Curley eats fastballs for breakfast. He has a patient approach at the plate when he gets anything breaking or off-speed and will wait for the pitcher to throw the heater he wants. As a freshman he homered three times in the NCAA tournament.

He has below average to average speed on the base paths, but he won’t be a problem there until later in his career. He may fly up draft boards into the teens range if he shows off more polished footwork at shortstop and an improved hit tool.

2. Slater de Brun, OF — Summit HS, Bend, OR

HEIGHT: 5-9

WEIGHT: 180

Speed. Headache on the basepaths. Elite contact. Long term centerfielder.

de Brun is 5’9” but is built like a bull. He has packed on the muscle and still maintained his speed and agility in the field. That opens the door for him to grow into 50 grade game power as he matures.

Some scouts have made the Corbin Carroll comparison as they are both undersized outfielders with a smooth left-handed swing and good speed and contact.

He is currently committed to Vanderbilt but I won’t be surprised if he gets lured away from college ball in favor of the pro’s. Hopefully by the Mariners, I’m a fan.

3. AJ Russell, RHP — Tennessee

HEIGHT: 6-6

WEIGHT: 207

2024 STATS: 14.1 IP, 5.02 ERA, 1.395 WHIP, 13.2 K/9

Don’t fret about the 2024 stats, Russell was injured and had internal brace surgery in his elbow and missed the rest of the 2024 season. When healthy in 2023, he had a freakishly good season out of the Tennessee bullpen, allowing 4 earned runs in 30.1 innings of work.

He won’t throw for Tennessee until the second half of the season, if at all. His fastball is the best in college baseball, by metric and by the eye test. It offers arm-side run and rise. The release point is low and deceptive. Jerry Dipoto has to be salivating. The floor here might be an all-star closer, and the ceiling a top of the rotation arm.

Stay tuned and monitor if Russell makes it back before the end of the college season, this could be a name to pay attention to.

4. Quentin Young, 3B/OF — Oaks Christian (CA)

HEIGHT: 6-5

WEIGHT: 215

While Ethan Holliday is getting all the attention when it comes to players that have a family history with baseball, Quentin Young (nephew of Dmitri and Delmon) might be the better player now, and in the future.

The projection here is off the charts. It’s raw power that is unmatched among the high school bats. Sure, there is swing-and-miss in the bat but he is 17-years-old with plenty of time to improve. His work ethic and mindset are positively noted by evaluators.

Jayson Werth and Jordan Walker comparisons have been thrown around by other evaluators if Young can put it all together at the plate. He is currently playing shortstop in high school but should move to third base where his plus arm and athleticism fit better.

5. Tate Southisene, SS/OF — Basic (NV)

HEIGHT: 5-11

WEIGHT: 165

Tate, you are very difficult to find a usable picture of. Bonus fact! Tate’s brother, Ty Southisene was drafted in the 2024 MLB draft in the fourth round by the Cubs. Another brother, Tee Southisene pitches at USC. Those are some good genes.

Tate’s ability to defend and do it well at virtually any position on the field is impressive. He likely winds up full time at either shortstop of center field. The athleticism if off the charts.

At the plate, the hit tool is the carrying tool but he could grow into 15-20 home run power.

Smooth, strong bat control and an aggressive approach are going to bring Tate to the pro’s.

Enjoy Baseball!