Uncovering The Hidden Gems Of The Seattle Mariners Farm System

The recent Baseball America Top-100 Prospects list has 6 Seattle Mariners featured. This leaves no question as to the power and strength of the Seattle farm. For years the Mariners have had one of the best minor league systems in baseball. While the 6 top-100 names are impressive, the farm has more than just 6 names that can make a major league impact.

While the following names are not necessarily Top-100 caliber additions, these are some players who I see as potential difference makers in the Seattle system (or trade bait).

Ben Williamson

Williamson was seen as the cost-saving pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. While he led the nation in batting average at William & Mary as a Senior, Seattle signed him below the slot in order to sign a few highly touted prep players. That seems a bit outrageous that arguably the nation’s best hitter in 2023 would be viewed as a 2nd round pawn, however, others’ loss is Seattle’s gain.

MLB Pipeline has Willamson’s hit tool as a 50 on the 20-80 scale. No disrespect to those gentlemen, but that’s preposterous. While Williamson hit Lo-A last year, he was hurt for a good part of his tenure. In Hi-A, he hit .351 and now in AA, Williamson is hitting .261. There is no potential for Williamson to be a power bat. He is a strict hitter. It could be tough to peg him in a lineup as he’s not going to kill the BB/K ratios, nor is he going to steal bags. Although, as a ballplayer who will hit the ball and get on base, you can’t ask for much more.

Jared Sundstrom

Sundstrom has been a real as perfect of a 10th rnd steal as anyone can be. 6’2 OF from UC Santa Barbara is hitting .287 in Hi-A and, while, only 5 HR’s, has amassed 17 doubles. Why I feel that last bit is important, 17 doubles means he is getting some good contact off that bat. Sandstrom, who has power, is very capable of turning those doubles into homers. There is also some sneaky speed as he has 13 steals thus far in 2024. If that double power starts turning into homer power, this is a name to watch.

When it relates to Williamson and Sundstrom, they are both different players. Williamson is a lock to make the majors with the hit tool. He is a .300 hitter or better. Once he gets accustomed to the level he is at, there is no question he will succeed. In the case of Sundstrom, while I do believe he has a chance at the show, his biggest tool is going to be developing those doubles into home runs.

Pitching is not a strong suit of the Mariners system right now. I could name 3 or 4 more hitters who I feel are undervalued and overlooked. The pitching core is a bit underwhelming for me. A lot of the arms in the system are likely RP’s. The hot names such as Logan Evans and AJ Izzy I am forgoing as many others have pointed out their rise in the last few months.

More MLB: Seattle Mariners Prospect Report: Carlos Jimenez

Will Schomberg

Admittedly I did not know how good Schomberg was. In 2023, he obtained the second-highest K/9 in Davidson history with a 10.15 ratio. His pitches offer a lot of horizontal movement and Seattle has prided themselves on developing pitchers with rather deadly sweeping sliders and breaking pitches. Perhaps had I paid more attention to his arsenal than his lack of competition in college, I would have been more on board with him.

Cole Phillips

As it stands now, Phillips is still listed as a Top-30 prospect for Seattle. Phillips also has not played a game of affiliated ball. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2002 draft, Seattle acquired Phillips from Atlanta in the Jared Kelenic deal. Phillips has now had 2 Tonmmy John Surgeries. His latest came in 2024, thus, delaying us the chance to see him this season. Hopefully, Phillips doesn’t lose too much on that 70-grade fastball and his 55-grade slider. After so much time away from the game, it’s hard to envision Phillips living up to the hype he has in 2022.

I would also like to highlight two additional names that did not make the list. Hogan Windish and Brock Rodden. Both infielders with vastly different approaches. Rodden is a hit first infielder, while Windish is a Dan Uggla power 2B. While I could go more in-depth on these two, I feel the system itself is so loaded with hidden gems, that I’d leave it where it is and let you decide who the real unheralded names are on the Seattle farm.

Daniel Gentile

Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288