SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners will write the final chapter in the disappointing book that is the 2026 season in the season finale against the Los Angeles Angels at 12:10 p.m. PT on Sunday at T-Mobile Park.

The day before the Mariners ended their 2026 season, they honored several of the top performers from the farm system with their annual minor league awards. One of those players has been earning minor league honors for years now. Unlike previous seasons, however, he'll be ending this year with the major league club.

Outfielder Lazaro Montes (No. 53 MLB Pipeline top 100) was named the Ken Griffey Jr. co-Hitter of the Year for the third year in a row Saturday. In addition to those honors, he's also won the California League (Single-A) and Northwest League (High-A) MVP awards in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

"To me, it was fantastic," Montes said in a pregame interview Saturday at T-Mobile Park. "The first time that I won the Ken Griffey (award), I was like, 'OK, I (didn't know about this). Let me just keep doing, keep winning that.' That was my thought about it."

Montes finished his portion of the season in the minor leagues with a slash line of .249/.369/.558 with a .927 OPS in 123 games. He hit 24 doubles, a triple and 38 home runs with 96 RBIs across time at both Double-A and Triple-A.

The 21-year-old outfielder had his contract selected Sept. 1 and made his major league debut the same day. He's played in 21 games since suiting up for his first big league game and has slashed .212/.305/.481 with a .786 OPS. He's hit two doubles and four homers with 11 RBIs.

Among Montes' major league home runs was a 474-foot shot against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 8, which was the longest home run hit by T-Mobile Park in the Statcast era.

"To me, (the biggest thing I've learned is) be consistent in everything you do," Montes said. "What you do  in the moment you get here, what you do, how you can prepare your body to play 180 games-plus — the (playoff finals) and everything. That's what I've learned. That's what I've learned. Be happy all the time, be me and always compete."

The rookie outfielder will likely be a big factor of the team's plans next season.

Whether it's as the team's starting right fielder, designated hitter, or a rotation of the two with Dominic Canzone, there's a good chance Montes' flagship power, and whatever improvements he could make in the offseason, has him as an everyday starter.

Montes' best friend, and fellow top 100 Michael Arroyo, could be on the opposite end of the field as him in left field depending on what happens with pending free agent Randy Arozarena. Julio Rodriguez figures to reprise his role in center field.

"That's my wish, man," Montes said. "That's gonna be fun, that's what I say. ... You always got to be mentally about this game, you always (have to) have fun and we have very good communication. So I feel that that's gonna help you a lot."

Logan Gilbert will take the ball for the final time in 2026. It's also the final game in the broadcast booth for M's legend Rick Rizzs. And it could be the final game in a Mariners uniform for JP Crawford, who is also a free agent.