Olney is high on Colt Emerson heading into 2026.
Recently, ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney made waves when he predicted the Seattle Mariners to win the World Series in a "bold predictions for 2026" column.
Here's what he said:
This will be the year that Julio Rodriguez fully emerges as one of the game's best players," Olney predicted. "Cal Raleigh continues his reign as the best catcher in the majors and Colt Emerson is promoted to the big leagues in May and wins the AL Rookie of the Year Award. The Mariners are early in an extended period of dominance that will resemble what the Astros accomplished from 2015-24."
Now, again, that's a "bold prediction," so it doesn't necessarily mean that Olney believes the M's are the favorites to win the World Series in 2026, so let's focus on one of the other parts of his statement: His belief in M's prospect Colt Emerson.
About Emerson
Currently ranked as the No. 9 prospect in baseball, via MLB Pipeline, Emerson is still just 20 years old. Despite that, he's expected to compete for the starting third base job in spring training, and then he's expected to be the shortstop of the future.
A pure hitter, Emerson hit .285 in 2025 across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. He was also with the Mariners on the postseason taxi squad, playing in scrimmages against big leaguers at T-Mobile Park.
He had 16 home runs a season ago but should grow into more power as he ages and fills out his frame.
If Emerson can't win the job in spring training, Ben Williamson or the newly-signed Patrick Wisdom could, but Emerson will play a big role in 2026 regardless of when his clock starts.
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What Olney saying
Olney joined the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast last Thursday to discuss his claims, saying:
I am all in on him, knowing how important those guys are going to be to the team’s success. You and I have talked about how the promotion is probably going to come sometime at the end of April, beginning of May. They are invested in what he could be for the team.
And so I think he’s going to be in a great position to win Rookie of the Year. I love the fact that when you look at the structure of the Mariners lineup, he’s not going to have a lot of pressure on him. Right? He’s a good offensive player, and he’s not going to be called up and asked to bat first or bat second or bat third. He’s basically going to be put in a complementary position.
I think that’s the best way to go for a young player. So I think they’re going to do everything they can to get him ready. They believe he’s going to have an impact, and I think we’re going to see that in 2026.
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