Seattle Mariners: 2022 Top 10 Under 25
8. Matt Brash (23)
Drafted in the fourth round out of Niagara University by the Padres, Canadian import Matt Brash has burst onto the prospect map with his 2021 performance. While he’s likely ticketed for Triple-A to start the 2021 season, he should debut with the Mariners at some point this season.
He finished the season with a 2.31 ERA and pitched better at Double-A than he did at High-A in 2021. Brash struck out 142 in 97.1 innings and was the only minor leaguer to have a complete game shutout and a save last season.
Matt Brash throwing a blitzball is cool. He has a chance to turn into the best trade Jerry has ever made imo pic.twitter.com/MxhnnjbcmE
— Luke (@mariners_luke) December 22, 2021
7. Brandon Williamson (23)
The Seattle Mariners drafted Brandon Williamson with their second-round pick in the 2019 draft out of TCU. He ascended to the top of lefty starting pitching prospect lists after last season’s lights-out performance. His 153 strikeouts led the minor leagues, and he did it in 98.1 innings pitched.
While Williamson has always been a strikeout machine (89 in 77.1 with TCU in 2019), he really showed the organization what he could do in 2021. While he and Matt Brash are almost statistical twins, the fact that Williamson is left-handed gives him the edge.
Brandon Williamson's first Double-A inning? Immaculate.
The Mariners' No. 9 prospect strikes out the side on 9 pitches in his @ARTravs debut. pic.twitter.com/qcyUC0JrN7
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 25, 2021
6. Andres Munoz (23)
While Ty France and Luis Torrens are fundamental pieces of the trade that brought the Mariners four players for Austin Nola. Andres Munoz could be the biggest stand out of the four players. The Mexican flamethrower touched 105 MPH in the minors and is an absolute beast when it comes to strikeouts.
Munoz lost nearly two seasons due to Tommy John surgery on his UCL. In his last healthy season of 2019, Munoz combined to strike out 88 in 58.2 innings. On the comeback trail last September, he made four rehab appearances in the minors and pitched 3.2 innings, with 7 strikeouts.
Munoz looked great in his one appearance with the M’s last year. He averaged 99.6 MPH on the 12 fastballs and got one up to 101 MPH on the radar gun.
Before the lockout, Muñoz and the Mariners agreed to a four-year contract extension for $7.5M. Don’t be surprised to see him compete for the closer role early in the 2022 season.