The Mariners had a disappointing season at the major league level, but the future still looks bright.
With a (potentially lengthy) lockout coming this offseason, and with the Seattle Mariners having just finished a disappointing 76-86 regular season, fans are looking for any sliver of optimism this winter.
There are certainly reasons for optimism at the major league level, but there is also hope on the horizon in the form of the team's farm system.
MLB Pipeline released its final Top-100 Prospects list on Friday and six Mariners finished the year in the Top 100, which was tied for the most of any team (Dodgers, Rays, Orioles).
Here's how they finished up.
No. 5 Kade Anderson (LHP)
After going 10-1 with a 1.06 ERA in Double-A, Anderson made his major league debut in August against the Chicago Cubs. While he went through some learning curves, he ultimately flashed the stuff that made him successful in the minors, going 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA in 35.2 innings.
He figures to start the year in the rotation next season, especially if the M's suffer an injury or if they trade away one of their starters in the offseason.
The Mariners enter 2027 with Anderson, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo and Logan Evans all in need of innings. And that's not to mention...
No. 11 Ryan Sloan (RHP)
While not as polished as Anderson, Sloan likely represents a higher upside. Still just 20 years old, Sloan aggressively spent the whole season at Double-A, going 4-4 with a 3.73 ERA in 22 starts (101.1 innings). He struck out 128 hitters in those innings and has upper-90s velocity.
He won't be able to handle a full starter's workload in 2027, but he certainly should make a difference at the MLB level.
No. 41 Michael Arroyo (UTIL)
Arroyo hit .283 between Double-A and Triple-A this season before making a cameo with the Mariners in September. In 15 games (35 at-bats), he hit .371 with a .953 OPS. A bat-first player, the Mariners have to figure out how to handle his questionable defense, but with a bat this good, they have no choice but to do just that.
Seattle Mariners left fielder Michael Arroyo (96) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring a run during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park. Stephen Brashear-Imagn ImageNo. 53 Lazaro Montes (OF/DH)
After hitting 38 homers in the minors, Montes got promoted to the big leagues on Sept. 1, doing exactly what he did in the minors. He hit for a generally low average (.212), but flashed incredible power (four homers), and he struck out a lot (24 times in 52 at-bats).
The power is very real, and he should get opportunities next season to contribute too, but the contact has to improve.
No. 60 Felnin Celesten (SS)
Celesten was named the MVP of the High-A Northwest League this season after hitting .314 for Everett (80 games). He wrapped up in Double-A, hitting just .171 in 30 games. A switch-hitter who is still just 21 years old, this was his best professional season yet. He had 16 home runs and 25 stolen bases.
No. 83 Jonny Farmelo (OF)
The 22-year-old speedster came back from an injury-shortened season in 2025 to hit .251 between Everett and Arkansas, playing in 129 games. He hit 17 home runs and stole 41 bases and should be in the mix by 2028.
Of note
The latest 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast, featuring ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney is out! You can listen to his thoughts on the M's managerial search in the YouTube player below:
