Middle of May Mariners Top-10 Prospect Ranking

After roughly 25-30 games in the 2024 minors season, has anybody stood out?

Small samples like the first 100 or less plate appearances of a season shouldn’t be used to tell us much about a prospects future, or shift around a prospect ranking list. However — it is exciting to see the recent draftees get their first taste of the pros and see how prospects already in the system are faring after starting the year with a promotion. I have a tendency to rank prospects based on two things — projection and how close they are to the show.

With that in mind, here’s my current top 10 Mariners prospects with player comparisons for fun.

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1. SS/3B Colt Emerson — Low-A Modesto Nuts — 18 Years old

At just 18 years old, Colt Emerson has dominated Low-A ball in Modesto over the course of 164 plate appearances between 2023 and 2024. The Mariners first round pick in the 2023 MLB amateur draft has not only a chance to be an every day big league player by the time he reaches 21-years-old, he also has the chance to be a perennial all-star and the best player to come out of the 2023 draft despite being picked 22nd.

He’s walking more than he’s striking out and holding a staggering .447 OBP in his first 85 plate appearances in 2024, showing a mature approach for a teenager. Crushing anything over the plate and showing solid power with 2 home runs and 4 doubles in his short sample.

While he has been getting most of his reps at shortstop, he likely projects best at third base as he adds weight and muscle to his 6’1” 195lb frame. He has the athleticism of a all-state wide receiver (because he was one) and moves well with the glove.

Batting from the left side of the plate, it’s a smooth swing with a half-step load up before he snaps his wrists with the bat knob behind his left rib cage, keeping an even bat path that currently has gap-to-gap power but flashes plus raw power that should continue to manifest itself as he adds muscle.

Pro Comparison: Scott Hunter, Mariners Director of Scouting put a Left-Handed hitting David Wright comparison on him. I personally like the comparison.