The Seattle Mariners' farm system has been one of the best in baseball for the last several seasons.

This past year, the Mariners had as many as nine top 100 prospects according to both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline's respective lists.

Seattle saw several of those prospects make their major league debuts this past season, including second baseman Cole Young and since-traded catcher Harry Ford.

Even more top 100 minor leaguers, including outfielders Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo and infielder Colt Emerson, are projected to make their major league debuts in 2026.

The Mariners could have more minor leaguers outside of the elite prospects that end up making an impact on the major league team in 2026 and beyond.

Ian Cundall of Baseball America recently published a story going over a potential breakout hitter for each team. For Seattle, Cundall highlighted outfielder Jared Sundstrom.

Sundstrom spent the entirety of 2025 with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers after spending all of 2024 with the High-A Everett AquaSox.

Sundstrom scored 62 runs in 115 games and hit 22 doubles, five triples and 12 home runs with 53 RBIs and slashed .219/.297/.374 with a .671 OPS.

Sundstrom's strikeout numbers and walk rate numbers dipped in his first taste of Double-A action. However, Sundstrom's power, which has been his biggest calling card as a pro, remained impressive with Arkansas.

Cundall had the following assessment on Sundstrom's power numbers in his article:

(Sundstrom's) 103.9 mph 90th percentile exit velocity and 109.6 mph max EV were slightly above-average for his age, and his batted-ball angles remained solid. His 90th percentile EV actually increased 1.6 mph, but his contact rate declined and chase rate spiked. If he can return to his 2024 rates in those areas but maintain his exit velocity gains, he could be primed for a bounce back in 2026.

Sundstrom was originally selected in the 10th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of UC Santa Barbara.

Across his three seasons in Seattle's organization, the 24-year-old right-handed slugger has scored 148 times in 249 games and has connected for 56 doubles, eight triples and 28 homers with 131 RBIs. He has a career slash line of .240/.337/.408 with a .745 OPS.

Sundstrom ended the 2025 season ranked as the Mariners' 14th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The organization projects the former Triton to make his major league debut in 2026.

Seattle has positioned its elite prospects to potentially step into starting roles, coinciding with impending free agent departures of established major leaguers.

Montes projects as a right fielder and 2025 Opening Day right field starter Victor Robles' contract ends after 2026 (he has a club option for 2027).

Emerson, the organization's top prospect, will likely factor into the team's open third base role in '26 but projects as a shortstop long-term. Longtime starting shortstop J.P. Crawford will be a free agent after '26.

Arroyo, who's played mostly at second base in his time in the organization, will play left field during winter league competition and likely during the '26 minor league season at the Mariners' behest.

Sundstrom would likely need to put together a great-to-amazing season in the minors in '26 to carve out a starting role in the majors but at the very least, he can find a role in the major leagues as a platoon or bench player.

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