2026 Prospects Thread

[HawkandMariner88]

A few nonsensical predictions in here.

If only right

[D-train]

The Farm is worthless until they either perform at the Big league level or are traded for proven Big leaguers. None of the top 10 drafted this decade have done that yet.

Kirby Gilbert, Miller , Cal Wooor you mean just first round picks ? Not following this comment

Gilbert 2018
Kirby 2019
Cal 2018

I did space on Miller and Woo but they were never top 100 prospects or remotely heralded when they were drafted. I am talking about the current recent hype around the current farm system which Ben and Young are/were a part of. Hoping Colt is the first meet expectations.

[Sexymarinersfan]

The Farm is worthless until they either perform at the Big league level or are traded for proven Big leaguers. None of the top 10 drafted this decade have done that yet.

I wouldnt go as far as worthless. There's a lot of bargaining power to be had with prospects. As we saw last season, we added Geno and Naylor for prospects that may never do jack in the show. So they do have some value.

And I'd say the Harry Ford trade netted us a possible lock down lefty setup or closer. Ford was drafted in 2020. So we did get something out of this decade.

And weren't a couple of the guys we traded for Geno and Naylor recently drafted just last year?

Read what I wrote in red. I am saying having a high rated farm system is worthless until it starts producing via trades or filling out your big league roster.

Would you be ok if we drafted a college project reliever with an ERA in the 4s in the first round this season? That is what we got out of Ford.

I mean Woo's ERA was essentially above 6.00 when we took him. As long as the metrics are there, I don't mind the numbers too much.

[D-train]

Right but he wasn't a first round pick

[Pharmabro]

The Farm is worthless until they either perform at the Big league level or are traded for proven Big leaguers. None of the top 10 drafted this decade have done that yet.

I wouldnt go as far as worthless. There's a lot of bargaining power to be had with prospects. As we saw last season, we added Geno and Naylor for prospects that may never do jack in the show. So they do have some value.

And I'd say the Harry Ford trade netted us a possible lock down lefty setup or closer. Ford was drafted in 2020. So we did get something out of this decade.

And weren't a couple of the guys we traded for Geno and Naylor recently drafted just last year?

Read what I wrote in red. I am saying having a high rated farm system is worthless until it starts producing via trades or filling out your big league roster.

Would you be ok if we drafted a college project reliever with an ERA in the 4s in the first round this season? That is what we got out of Ford.

He’s had a 2.95 FIP the last 2 years. And the stuff is there. I am betting that he becomes one of the top 5 this year in the BP Munoz, Brash, __Ferrer____, Speier, Buzzardo


Now go trade for Riley and Donavan

[GL_Storm]

Baseball America's review of the Mariners' Top Prospects and Farm System:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORWjnOHF1mE

[GL_Storm]

Baseball America just released their 2026 International Bonus Board for the signing period that begins on Jan 15. Here are the two players on their board that the Mariners are projected to sign.

8. Gregory Pio, OF, Dominican Republic
Born: Jan. 27, 2009. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 5-11. Wt.: 170.
Team: Mariners

Pio’s athleticism and tool set at a young age made him an early standout in the 2026 international class. He’s a quick-twitch athlete with plus-plus speed, giving him the wheels and range to handle center field. At the plate, Pio’s swing can get big at times and he has some things to iron out mechanically. But he has a lean, tapered build with the bat speed to hit balls out of the park to his pull side and room to fill out to continue adding power. His speed gives him a chance to be a high stolen base threat.



14. Juan Rijo, OF, Dominican Republic
Born: Sept. 3, 2008. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 185.
Team: Mariners

Rijo has long stood out for his hitting ability since he was a smaller player early in the process, whether it was facing hitters his own age or barreling up pitchers several years older than him. Since then, Rijo has continued to show polished hitting ability for his age while growing to 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. He’s a lefty with sound swing mechanics, taking a tight turn of the barrel into a balanced swing. He recognizes pitches and takes a short, direct path with an approach geared to use the whole field. Rijo has the components to get on base at a high rate and has added strength to be able to drive the ball out of the park now to his pull side with the bat speed and physical upside to grow into a 20-plus home run threat. Rijo is an average runner who could slow down as he fills out and projects best as a corner outfielder.

Here is a video on Rijo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U-qk839eKQ

[TravelersFan]

Adam Jude wrote that Arroyo is now seen as a left fielder by the Mariners. Yeah I've been staying for a while now that I think the farm systems overrated and looking at last year with Cole Young and Williamson that hasn't changed my mind.

DT who do you like best. Really intrigued actually by Stevenson. Rooting for Laz but definitely needs to cut down on strikeouts.

Laz has been my fav for years but he struggled in AA. Praying he figures it out this season.

yeah, it seems like he was all or nothing last year in Little Rock. a 30.4% strike out rate in AA is not gonna cut it.

[D-train]

DT who do you like best. Really intrigued actually by Stevenson. Rooting for Laz but definitely needs to cut down on strikeouts.

Laz has been my fav for years but he struggled in AA. Praying he figures it out this season.

yeah, it seems like he was all or nothing last year in Little Rock. a 30.4% strike out rate in AA is not gonna cut it.

I am sure he will start there again and hopefully the focus will be get it back down between 20-25% which would be fine. He made such great progress with that in 2024 so hopefully he can do it again with some adjustments.