Mariners Top Prospect List: 20-16
The Mariners have a new, but exciting look to their farm system following the 2022 trade deadline. Let's take a look at my top 20 prospect list, starting with 20-16.
The Mariners have an exciting farm system from top to bottom. It is littered with premium position players and potential high-leverage relievers, especially at the lower levels. Let’s take a look at the back end of my top 20 Mariners prospects.
20: Cade Marlowe (OF)
Cade Marlowe is one of the closest players on this list to actually making his debut in Seattle, as he was on the taxi squad for the playoff roster. Marlowe has shown some nice tools in the minors, with above-average speed and power.
He hit 23 bombs while swiping 42 total bags in Arkansas and Tacoma in 2022. Marlowe projects as a fringey fourth outfielder depth type, maybe similar to a Ben Gamel type but with a different toolkit. The biggest issue with Marlowe is his swing and miss, as he struck out 156 times this season. This issue inhibits his ceiling, but he could have some value with his speed and power.
19: Tyler Locklear (1B)
Locklear is out of VCU and was a trendy selection from this last year’s draft. The Mariners love players who performed well on the Cape, blasting nine home runs over the 2021 summer.
The former VCU Ram posted absurd numbers against questionable opponents, hitting .402/.542/.799 in his final season with 20 home runs. He has to hit as a pro, otherwise he doesn’t have a place. There was a lot of data supporting Locklear as a draft pick, including really nice exit velocity numbers.
Locklear has a pretty stiff swing but has power to all fields. There is a lot to like about his exit velocities and swing overall. The power is huge. He must hit, as his glove with relegate him to first base duties. The positional value and risk involved don’t allow me to move him any higher here.
18: Isaiah Campbell (P)
The former Arkansas Razorback underwent elbow surgery which relegated him to the bullpen in 2022. He wasn’t extremely likely to be a starter, and his stuff has the ability to play up in a big way out of the ‘pen.
He has a legit 98 with a slider in the mid-80s, which is the better pitch of the two at this time. His fastball has good velocity but it seems to be pretty hittable. This may come along as he pitches more, but it is important to keep in mind he is 25 years old and will turn 26 during next season.
He still needs more innings and to improve both pitches to get to the big leagues, and will likely start next season at Double A. With health, he could see the big leagues next season in some fashion, but a lot will have to go well for him.
17: Axel Sanchez (SS)
This kid was very impressive in 2022, likely the biggest riser in the entire organization. I realize I have him ranked higher than most, but his tools can make you salivate. Jerry Dipoto even shouted Sanchez out as a prospect on the rise in his postseason press conference.
Sanchez is just 19 years old and spent this season at three different levels, ending up with Everett at the season’s end. He hits the ball really hard, plays defense, and is a plus runner. He could be a very nice prospect in this system if his hit tool comes along. The positional value is too good for me to keep him out of my top 20.
16: Michael Morales (P)
Morales is still just a youngster but is exactly the type of player the Mariners have proven they can develop. He has a decent-sized frame (6-2, 205) and a nice repeatable delivery. Seattle has shown the ability to get the most out of pitchers, and there’s no reason they cannot do this with Morales.
He has a really nice curveball and the Mariners can get more out of his fastball as he grows and develops. The former Vanderbilt commit is sitting around 93 with his heater. His ERA was in the high 5 territory in A ball, but keep an eye on him as he gets older.