Two Seattle Mariners make MLB.com’s Top-25 under 25
MLB.com put out their top 25 players under 25 last week. A pair of Seattle Mariners prospects made the list.
Anyone who follows the Seattle Mariners knows their farm system is stacked. Even so, Major League Baseball is an era with high-quality young players such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto. For the M’s to put two players on the top 25 under-25 list is a big accomplishment.
No. 11 – Jarred Kelenic – OF
For Seattle Mariners fans, waiting on Jarred Kekenic to arrive in the Emerald City has been like a perpetual Christmas Eve. Let’s put the Kevin Mather incident in the rearview mirror for a minute and focus on the good stuff.
Kelenic is a five-tool player. He has the franchise-altering potential of Ken Griffey Jr. or Alex Rodriguez. Expect to see Kelenic rack up some MLB trophies over his career. The kid needs to rack up a little experience in the high minors first.
Seattle will do whatever it takes to keep him around long-term. The heck with Kevin Mather
No. 12 – Julio Y. Rodriguez – OF
Julio Rodriguez has all the tools to be a devastating Major League hitter. The Mariners are still waiting for his game to live up to its potential. When those two things meet, it will be special. Even more special is a starting outfield of Kelenic, Kyle Lewis, and Rodriguez. They could hit 120 home runs in a season combined.
Rodriguez is a year(ish) behind Kelenic. Depending on how his season goes, it’s not out of the question for Rodriguez to get a cup of coffee in the show this year.
They’ll regret not including – Andres Munoz – RP
It’s understandable why Andres Munoz didn’t make the list. He’s just over a year out from Tommy John surgery to repair his right elbow and on the comeback trail. Even so, Munoz throws a triple-digit heater (his average is 100 mph) which he combines with a nasty slider. By the end of 2021, Munoz will be in the top 25 conversation.
Missed the cutoff – Kyle Lewis – OF
Unfortunately, 2020 American League 2020 Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis just missed the age cutoff. Last year was his age-25 season. Nevertheless, Lewis is one of the most exciting young players in the game.
Will be there in 2022 – Emerson Hancock – SP
While he may not have made it this year, Seattle’s 2020 first-round draft pick Emerson Hancock should be on the list in 2022. Keith Law of the Athletic has Hancock as the number 54 prospect in baseball. That’s without any minor league experience on his resume.
Hancock has a 95 miles-per-hour fastball, with good movement and solid changeup. At only 22-years-old (in 2021), the power right-hander is a year or so away from fighting for a spot on the Mariners’ main roster.
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What do you think about the Seattle Mariners’ best under 25 players? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.