There's very little cons to bringing up the top 100 prospect for his major league debut.
The Seattle Mariners are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season, a 7-6 win against the two-time defending World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The win didn't do much for the Mariners in terms of divisional standings. Following the victory, Seattle is 53-55 and still 2.5 games out of first place for the American League West, but they are just 1.5 games out of the final AL wild card spot.
The MLB trade deadline coming up Monday (Aug. 3) and the Mariners are still in need of right-handed bats and bullpen help. Regardless of how the last few games in front of them go, they are expected to buy.
Regardless of whether or not Seattle buys or sells at the deadline, it has another right-handed bat waiting at its Triple-A affiliate that is all but ready for his shot in the big leagues.
And at this point in the season, it's a no-lose situation for the Mariners to call him up regardless of their status.
According to a report from Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, Seattle's front-office has had internal discussion whether to call up infielder/outfielder Michael Arroyo.
Arroyo, ranked 40th on MLB Pipeline's top 100, has been one of the organization's consistent bats since he was signed as an international free agent out of Colombia on Jan. 15, 2022.
The 21-year-old was promoted to Triple-A on July 7. In 16 games with the Rainiers, He's slashed .324/.363/.563 with a .926 OPS. He has hit six doubles, a triple and three home runs with 18 RBIs.
There's not a seamless spot for Arroyo, who's capable of playing left field, second base or can slot in at designated hitter, but at this point, there's virtually no drawbacks to the Mariners bringing up Arroyo to the majors.
Here's several reasons Seattle should bring up Arroyo.
Potential spark plug for the offense
The Mariners' struggles against left-handed pitching have been well-documented this season, and having a hitter with a low-strikeout rate who gets on-base at a consistent rate (both struggles for Seattle this season, particularly against southpaws), will behoove the team.
Arroyo also gives Seattle more depth in the lineup and more versatility when putting together the order. Arroyo is capable of playing shortstop, second base and has played at third in the minors and has learned left field this season.
The Mariners will face a hefty amount of solid pitching in the home stretch, and if Arroyo can be a contributing bat, then Seattle can be in a much better position than it's been the majority of the season.
More at-bats for a future everyday starter
If the Mariners sell at the deadline, essentially waving the white flag on the season, Arroyo should still get a chance in the major leagues.
The team's current everyday starter in left field, 2026 All-Star Randy Arozarena, is set to become a free agent after this season. He'll likely command a decent contract in the offseason following back-to-back All-Star years that have featured several career-highs.
If Seattle decides not to, or is unable to, come to a new deal with Arozarena, then Arroyo is the likeliest candidate to take over in left field.
Even if the season doesn't result in playoffs for the Mariners, giving Arroyo major league at-bats will go a long way in preparing him for a starting role next season, especially if Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations between the MLB and MLB Players Association results in a lockout and a delayed/abbreviated 2027 season.
Protection for Arroyo in Rule 5 Draft
If there is a lockout next season, that doesn't mean the minor league season will be affected.
The MiLB has a separate CBA from the MLB and MLBPA, which means that if games are missed next season, minor league affiliates will still be able to continue with their season as scheduled.
The one catch is that players on a 40-man roster are under the MLB/MLBPA CBA and won't be eligible to compete in the minors.
Arroyo is Rule-5 Draft eligible, meaning he has to be put on the 40-man roster this offseason, which he will be. As a result, he won't be able to play in minor league games until the potential lockout is resolved.
So, keeping him off the 40-man roster now is not really a benefit to him in any way from a player development standpoint. Since he can't play in the minors anyways next year, the team might as well look to benefit from his skillset in the big leagues this year.
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