Seattle Mariners Minors: M's Prospect Struggles in Arizona Fall League All-Star Game

Seattle Mariners right-handed pitching prospect Adam Smith struggled in Sunday's Arizona Fall League All-Star Game, taking the loss as the American League lost 7-4 to the National League.

Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Smith allowed three earned runs on four hits in just 0.2 innings. He also had a walk.

The American League scored a run in the top of the ninth to make it 6-4, and the National League actually hit in the bottom of the ninth despite the win being secured. It gave people more reps.

Smith is 2-0 with an ERA of 5.40 in the AFL. He's appeared in seven games, all as a reliever. He's struck out 10 batters in 6.2 innings.

Smith, 26, was drafted in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of UNC Wilmington. Selected by the San Diego Padres, he arrived to the Mariners organization in 2026, spending time with both High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas. He played in the independent Atlantic League for a spell in April before arriving with the Mariners.

With Everett, Smith was 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA in 16 games. In Arkansas, he was 3-4 with a 4.76 ERA. He appeared in 17 games there. In total, he was 6-5 with a 3.25 this season.

Smith previously reached Double-A with the Boston Red Sox organization, throwing one game there in 2025. And now he's got 17 more with the Mariners. Given that he's had 18 games in Double-A, it seems plausible to say that he could reach the big leagues at some point in 2027 if his numbers warrant that.

However, the Mariners bullpen is almost full right now, especially with right-handed options.

Well, the Mariners are reportedly looking for bullpen help this offseason, but for now, the 'pen looks like this:

1) Andres Munoz

2) Matt Brash

3) Speier

4) Ferrer

5) Eduard Bazardo

6) Carlos Vargas

7) Seranthony Dominguez

Beyond that, the M's are looking as "possibility guys" like Michael Rucker, Cole Wilcox, Isaac Mattson and Troy Taylor

It stands to reason that the M's need at least one bullpen to fill out that eighth spot, but if they want to move on from someone like Bazardo, a secondary addition would need to come into play. Smith is someone who could factor in, but likely only if injuries strike.