Shortstop Colt Emerson is off to a strong start in the Arizona Fall League, offering the Mariners more evidence of his intriguing upside.
The Major League season might be over for the Seattle Mariners, but the wheels of the organisation continue to turn as they look for ways to improve the club in both the short and long-term. In respect of the latter, this means developing prospects who can eventually help in the Majors.
Along these lines, there was some encouraging news for the Mariners recently, when MLB pipeline unveiled their updated list of the top 100 prospects in baseball. This updated list including five Mariners prospects as follows:
Selected 22nd overall in the 2023 draft, Hancock specifically is someone who has a lot of people excited about what he brings to the Mariners. He has an intriguing combination of a smooth and explosive bat, strength, athleticism and superior instincts.
Of course it’s one thing to have a high upside, but it’s another thing to actually put it all together and fulfill your potential. Fortunately for the Mariners organisation, things are looking extremely encouraging to date.
Five hits in Arizona Fall League debut
Case in point is how the 19-year-old has looked so far in this year’s Arizona Fall League. He got off to a blistering start during his first week of action with the Peoria Javelinas, with an almost insane stat line which included a .550 batting average, six RBI, .550 OBP, .850 slugging percentage and 1.400 OPS.
Now Emerson has calmed down a little since then, but still looks tremendous overall through nine games for the Javelinas. He has 10 RBI, a .405/.422/.595 slash line and 1.107 OPS.
To be clear, we’re not saying the left-handed bat doesn’t still have plenty to work on. For example, he does seem to lack plate discipline at times, resulting in a high number of strikeouts.
In addition, as per MLB Pipelines’ scouting report, they have Emerson down as only an average runner. Although in this respect, it’s at least worth noting he already has five stolen bases in his nine games.
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Overall the signs are good for Colt Emerson
Regardless, the overriding belief remains that the Mariners have a player who will eventually be an asset at the Major League level, some time around 2026. In the meantime though, he has plenty of opportunities to continue developing and likely growing into the eventual starting shortstop in Seattle. (There has also been some talk of him also seeing playing time at second and/or third base.)
Certainly, it helps when you’re able to be productive in the Arizona Fall League, where you’re facing plenty of Double-A and Triple-A level players. In addition, the extra games are helpful for Emerson, after dealing with an oblique issue and then a fractured left foot during this year.
With everything that the Zanesville, Ohio native has been through, he has a refreshing down-to-earth, but also positive attitude to the game. As per Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com, he recently said:
“I learned that baseball can really just be stripped away at any point, and I just need to be grateful every pitch, every game I get to play. So when I came back, I really took advantage of really having fun, really taking advantage of the time being on the field, because I know at any point, any weird thing could happen, I could be off the field.”
What is your opinion of Colt Emerson. Are you encouraged about what he will eventually provide for the Mariners in the Majors, or just preferring to take a wait-and-see approach? Let us know in the comments section.
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