> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://baseballthings.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Top 10 Mariners prospects by upside - URL: https://baseballthings.com/top-10-mariners-prospects-by-upside/ - Published: 2025-04-02T01:43:33.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-31T00:58:30.000Z - Description: Dreaming is the point. Read on. - Author: Jason A. Churchill - Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1788137406209, #Import 2026-08-30 20:52 It’s a different way of looking at prospects, scouting, and player development. Ignore all the elements that could decrease a player’s grade and focus only on their ceiling. Scouts, good ones anyway, know how to dream on what a player can be. Data tells us the rest of the story. Let’s dream on the Mariners’ prospects with the highest upside. --- ### 1\. [Felnin Celesten,](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=celest000fel&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-02-15%5Fbr) SS There’s an argument for the next four on this list to be No. 1, but a switch-hitter with above-average power and a chance to hit .280 with high on-base marks and 20 steals who also may be an above-average or better defender at short is the most valuable upside play in the organization right now. Think in the range of [Ketel Marte](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marteke01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) and approaching [Francisco Lindor](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lindofr01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) territory if it all goes right for Celesten the next few years. --- ### 2\. Yorger Bautista, CF Bautista has yet to start his pro career officially, but the tools are loud, including plus raw power that may be double-plus as he adds strength to already-elite bat speed. There’s a chance center is on the docket for him long-term, as he runs very well, and there’s plenty of arm to support right field if such a move is necessary. [Carlos Gonzalez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=gonzal036car,gonzal039car,gonzal041car&search=Carlos+Gonzalez&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), anyone? --- ### 2\. Ryan Sloan, RHP Sloan is an advanced prep righty built for innings and longevity, and I’ve already comp’d him to [Brandon Woodruff](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodrbr01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), [Corbin Burnes](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burneco01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), and [Josh Johnson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=johnsjo09,johnso027jos,johnsjo11,johnso031jos,johnso028jos,johnso024jos&search=Josh+Johnson&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr). On the upside, however, it may reach beyond that, which explains why Mariners’ scouting director Scott Hunter has mentioned [Gerrit Cole](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colege01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) when discussing Sloan. It’s easy 95-98 mph velocity with two plus secondaries and the ability to manipulate the heat into three different pitches. --- [2025 Mariners Prospect RankingsThe Seattle Mariners have had a strong farm system for years, and it’s paid off at the big-league level since 2021 in the form of impact, homegrown talent, and trade acquisitions making a difference, including![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/4e72e8b8-c29c-4529-af39-54e97dc9b564_1200x1200-41.png)Mariners After MidnightJason A. Churchill![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/c8cb055b-5db5-4959-9726-0cee93c32743_4096x2732-jpeg-3.jpg)](https://www.midnightmariners.com/p/2025-mariners-prospect-rankings?ref=baseballthings.com) --- ### 4\. [Jurrangelo Cijntje](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cijntj000jur&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), BHP Since we’re only talking ceilings here, how about 94-99 mph plus a power breaking ball he can vary and an above-average changeup from the right side? OK, now add 91-95 with an above-average slider from the left, all built around a plus athlete and a chance at plus control and above-average command. I tossed a [Johnny Cueto](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuetojo01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) comp on Cijntje in my report on him, but the more bullish ceiling comp is King Felix. But what if you also added, say, an [Arthur Rhodes](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rhodear01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) option when Cijntje turns around to face a lefty late in his starts? Yeah. --- ### 5\. [Colt Emerson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=emerso001col&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), SS Emerson projects better at second base and shortstop, but [Corey Seager](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/seageco01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), a bigger player, did a very good job developing elite efficiency so his defense has never hurt his value, and he’s been in the league for 10 years now. Emerson’s tools and present skills have him at the top of the system regardless of where he plays, but when his polish and relative lack of risk are stripped away, the upside remains pretty high. Best-case scenario, Emerson is hitting .300 with a 10% walk rate and 25-plus homers, playing average shortstop defense. If you argued this profile belongs No. 1 here too, I wouldn’t waste my breath disagreeing. --- ### 6\. [Jonny Farmel](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=farmel000jon&ref=baseballthings.com)o, CF Farmelo can run, has terrific bat speed, and showed enough ability to hit prior to his injury last season there were scouts throwing [Jim Edmonds](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/edmonji01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) comps on him. I went with another Angels centerfielder in [Darin Erstad](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/erstada01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), but on the upside, Edmonds fits, including above-average to plus defense, assuming the knee injury doesn’t end up costing him anything. --- ### 7\. [Lazaro Montes](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=montes000laz&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), 1B/DH/OF Despite the lack of projectable value anywhere but the batter’s box and the rather high percentage chance he ends up at DH, Montes’ upside remains considerable thanks to 70-grade raw power. If he works at shortening up in certain situations, he could peak as a .260/.375/.575 slugger hitting 30-40 homers. --- ### 8\. [Tai Peete](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=peete-000tai&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), CF Peete has the tools to be an all-star, including plus speed, a plus arm, and plus raw power. [Devon White](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/whitede03.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) comes to mind, but the best-case for Peete includes more power, suggesting [Curtis Granderson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grandcu01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) with the bat. Granderson posted six four-win seasons and peaked twice at seven wins above replacement, just in case you’re thinking this isn’t dreaming big. --- ### 9\. [Harry Ford](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ford--003har&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), C Ford, just 22 and will be all season, still has a chance to be an average defensive catcher or better with a power and patience offensive profile that results in .260/.370/.440 slashes. I’ve had him compared to [Russell Martin](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martiru01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) since the draft, and that fits here as a max comparison, best-case scenario. Martin was a four-time all-star who compiled 54.5 fWAR in 14 seasons with four clubs, including five seasons of 5.0 WAR or better and a peak of seven wins. Martin is one of the most underrated players of the last twenty years. --- ### 10\. [Michael Arroyo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=arroyo001mic&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), 2B Arroyo has a chance to stay at second base where his power plays well. [Howie Kendrick](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kendrho01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) is my comp here, but if we dream bigger, there are scenarios Arroyo’s power surpasses all traditional expectations, similar to, albeit not quite as elite, as [Mookie Betts](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bettsmo01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), [Alex Bregman](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bregmal01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), and historically in the blend of [Ron Cey](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/ceyro01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), [Steve Garvey](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garvest01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), [Craig Biggio](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/biggicr01.shtml?utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr), and even [Joe Morgan](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=morgajo02,morgajo01&search=Joe+Morgan&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr). A .280/.360/.450 peak is not entirely out of the question, a nearly unmatched slash for second baseman the last 20 years. Imagine that with average glove work at second base. --- ### Mentions With the move to the bullpen, right-hander [Teddy McGraw](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mcgraw000ted&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) was removed from this list. He of the best slider in the system… Right-hander [Jeter Martinez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin000jet&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr) was considered late on this list, as was SS/CF [Dawel Joseph](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=joseph000daw&utm%5Fmedium=linker&utm%5Fsource=www.midnightmariners.com&utm%5Fcampaign=2025-04-01%5Fbr). --- [Projecting the Mariners 2026 Top 10 Prospects Unlike the 2028 roster projection, I will make the best guess on 2025 prospect graduations and MLB Draft selections to project the Top 10 Mariners prospects a year out.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/4e72e8b8-c29c-4529-af39-54e97dc9b564_1200x1200-42.png)Mariners After MidnightJason A. Churchill![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/8a6bca01-db2a-4661-ad5b-d8c1add9ea00_1400x1013-jpeg-1.jpg)](https://www.midnightmariners.com/p/projecting-the-mariners-2026-top?ref=baseballthings.com) [Projected 2028 Lineup, Rotation, Bullpen, BenchHere’s how this works:![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/4e72e8b8-c29c-4529-af39-54e97dc9b564_1200x1200-43.png)Mariners After MidnightJason A. Churchill![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/667c0c5d-abcb-4b12-8e79-3a6e5ee3e0b4_1400x933-jpeg-1.jpg)](https://www.midnightmariners.com/p/projected-2028-lineup-rotation-bullpen?ref=baseballthings.com) [Peete to CF, Emerson to 3B among potential value-altering position swaps for Mariners' top prospectsWe’ve talked since Draft Day about how Colt Emerson likely isn’t a shortstop in the big leagues, but where he ends up isn’t exactly clear. The same goes for arms that may or may not project as a star…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/4e72e8b8-c29c-4529-af39-54e97dc9b564_1200x1200-44.png)Mariners After MidnightJason A. Churchill![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/a1b5d5bb-a72a-4aa7-b8eb-aebfaf2005a7_2048x1184-jpeg.jpg)](https://www.midnightmariners.com/p/peete-to-cf-emerson-to-3b-among-potential?ref=baseballthings.com) [Prospects: Best Tools, Sleepers, The Next 16While rankings and player grades are subjective, it still means worthy players left off the Top 50\. I’ll share a group of names that just missed the list and deserve similar consideration this season.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/4e72e8b8-c29c-4529-af39-54e97dc9b564_1200x1200-45.png)Mariners After MidnightJason A. Churchill![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f2/85/f285ce72-40e3-409f-ae3b-2ef371936c02/content/images/2026/08/0a48e243-7a71-40dc-af0e-2a061ce44d37_1440x810-jpeg-1.jpg)](https://www.midnightmariners.com/p/prospects-best-tools-sleepers-the?ref=baseballthings.com)