Mariners Top Prospect List 15-11
Our top 20 prospect list continues, starting a heavy run on young arms with big time potential.
15: Juan Pinto (P)
One of my favorite names on this list long term is Juan Pinto. We haven’t seen a terrible amount of him in professional baseball yet, but I could easily switch him with Adam Macko and not think twice about it. Pinto is only 18 years old, but checks in with a very projectable 6 foot 4 frame. His delivery looks awesome and effortless, especially for such a young player.
It is hard to find a lot of film on him, but the reports are awesome. His fastball could easily sit in the mid-90s eventually, with an above-average curveball. He has the time and the tools to develop into a really nice player, and I fully expect him to move into my top 10 sooner rather than later.
14: Prelander Berroa (P)
The trade for Berroa may go down as one of the signature moves of Jerry Dipoto’s tenure. Seattle acquired him early last season for infielder Donovan Walton who had been designated for assignment. Berroa was fantastic in 2022 in the starting rotation for Everett and Arkansas, posting an ERA of 2.86 over 100-plus innings.
Berroa has a smaller 5-11 frame, with a thick lower half. He has an explosive fastball that sits 96 and can touch 98. He throws a hard slider that could be his best pitch eventually, especially as he continues to develop with the Mariners’ pitching development.
He was a starter this year but likely projects as a bullpen arm going forward. He doesn’t throw enough strikes to be a starter, but his stuff should uptick in the bullpen. Berroa could be a good mid to high-leverage reliever, reminds me of Diego Castillo with a four-seamer instead of a sinker.
13: Adam Macko (P)
Adam Macko endured injury struggles over the last few seasons, including a knee injury that robbed him of most of 2022. The Slovakian lefthander is a fun prospect who blows 92-94 and has topped out at 97. He has both a curveball and a slider that can be above average to go with his fastball.
Injuries have robbed him recently, so a lot of his value depends on how he can progress in 2023. There is a ton of reason to believe he is a reliever because of his injury risk and control issues. Macko should still be in consideration to be a starter until health or performance tells us the move to the bullpen is needed.
Don’t forget Seattle loves this kid, and if he can stay healthy they believe in him long term.
12: Bryan Woo (P)
The Cal Poly product was recovering from Tommy John surgery but moved up the ranks in 2022. Jerry Dipoto mentioned him in his end of the season press conference as somebody who could make an impact at the top end of this system next season.
Woo sits in the mid 90s with his fastball and can touch upper 90s. They will need him to throw more strikes to be a starter long term. He also has a slider and a changeup that both flash as plus pitches. The former 2021 6th rounder has nice potential as a starter long-term as he is still just 22 years old with three potential plus pitches. Control refinement could have Woo rising in the ranks in 2023.
11: Jonatan Clase (OF)
Clase is one of the fastest and most fun prospects in the Seattle system. Although he is just 5-8 and 150 pounds, Clase is pound for pound one of the most explosive players in the system. With 70 grade speed, the Dominican native also popped 13 home runs in Modesto this season as a switch hitter. His stat line is ridiculous from A ball this season, going .267/.373/.463 with 55 stolen bases.
The Instagram workouts and work ethic of Clase are unquestioned, and if you haven’t seen it go check it out. He is a slam dunk center field long term.
