Several of the Seattle Mariners youngest and most promising players could very well take center stage for the team in 2026.

The Mariners' farm system has been considered one of the best in baseball, though it took a bit of a hit on Wednesday in Baseball America's first Top 100 rankings of the year.

In 2025, Seattle had as many as nine top 100 prospects. One of those players, second baseman Cole Young, made his major league debut in 2025. Ben Williamson, who wasn't in the top 100 but still well-regarded within the organization, also made his debut and played a prominent role on the roster.

Colt Emerson, the organization's top prospect is one of the most promising players in the sport (No. 9 per MLB Pipeline top 100 end of 2025).

All three players are expected to have a role on the team in 2026.

Barring any new additions, Young will likely take the reins as the team's starting second baseman for the duration of the season.

If the Mariners don't add a third baseman, then Williamson and Emerson will compete in spring training to see who will man the hot corner come Opening Day.

In a recent appearance on the "Hot Stove" on Seattle Sports 710 on Jan. 20, Seattle manager Dan Wilson spoke with team broadcasters Gary Hill Jr. and Aaron Goldsmith about those three aforementioned players:

"When you look at Cole Young and you look at Ben Williamson and just the season that they had, their ability to make an impact quickly, coming up to the big leagues, was incredible," Wilson said on his radio appearance. " ... I think you look for improvement from year-to-year with young guys and where they may be this year compared to last year. Cole Young struggled a little bit early on, I think, with some arm soreness and his health wasn't in tip-top shape. For him, coming in, being ready to go, from minute No. 1 so he can keep his progression going forward, I think is going to be big for him.

Ben Williamson, the guy went down to the minor leagues when we picked up (Eugenio Suarez) and began to work with a little bit more power in his swing, tried to find a little bit more power. That'll be something that we'll be looking for. ... Then, of course, Colt Emerson, a guy that we heard a lot about in the minor league level. A great infielder for us, a great prospect. Just how he handles everything. I think we had a chance to see him a little bit last year in some games. (With the World Baseball Classic), probably more opportunities this year. How does he handle those? How does he play in those situations? Does the game speed up? Those are the things we'll be watching."

Williamson and Young both played crucial roles on the team in '25, serving in starting roles for large chunks of the season.

Williamson made his major league debut April 15, several weeks after the conclusion of a standout spring.

Williamson slashed .253/.294/.310 with a .604 OPS in 85 games. He hit 13 doubles and a home run with 21 RBIs. He was optioned back to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on July 31 after the team acquired (Eugenio) Suarez in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Williamson was one of the best defensive third basemen in the majors when he was with the M's. He had eight defensive runs saved, which ranked sixth in the major leagues and fourth in the American League.

Young made his major league debut May 31. He had a slash line of .211/.302/.305 with a .607 OPS and hit seven doubles, a triple and four homers with 24 RBIs in 77 games. He slumped toward the end of August and September and eventually lost his starting job at second base to Jorge Polanco. but has been praised by key figures within the organization, including president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto.

Emerson was the team's top pick in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He began last season season with the High-A Everett AquaSox and was quickly promoted through the ranks, ending his season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

The 20-year-old slashed .285/.383/.458 with an .841 OPS and hit 28 doubles, six triples and 16 home runs with 78 RBIs in 130 games. He was on the team's postseason taxi squad, which saw the Mariners advance to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

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