Top prospect Colt Emerson headlines the 11 players selected for the taxi squad, as the Mariners prepare for their ALDS this coming Saturday.
There’s no chance you can overstate the importance of the upcoming AL Division Series, versus the Detroit Tigers or Cleveland Guardians. The Seattle Mariners are favorites to make the World Series from the AL according to FanGraphs, with their date with destiny beginning on Saturday at T-Mobile Park.
As the second seed in the AL, the Mariners have been afforded an invaluable first round bye which is considered necessary by plenty of people. This is a team which has four players who have appeared in 157 or more games this season, as well as Eugenio Suárez, who totalled 159 combined appearances between the M’s and Arizona Diamondbacks.
There are some understandable concerns about the Mariners having five days between games, with the argument that this could lead to some rust and a loss of momentum. On the second point you can conceivably extend this further, given the M’s were swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers during their final regular season series, with little to play for.
Jerry Dipoto looking for the right balance ahead of ALDS
Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto discussed the challenges which come with extra time off, when speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s final regular season game. He said:
“I lived through it. In 2014 with the Angels we had a bye and we didn’t manage the rust very well. We got swept out of the division series by the Royals. Momentum does carry a lot of weight in any short series for sure.”
We are of the opinion that extra rest is just slightly more important than continuing to play, after the slog and natural wear and tear which comes as a result of a 162-game season. However, we appreciate that it’s important to get a balance, which is what the Mariners are aiming to achieve ahead of Game 1 of the ALDS.
Mariners players were given the day off on Monday, but followed this up on Tuesday with a team workout. Wednesday and Thursday will see the M’s play intrasquad games which will be open to the public, with another team workout taking place on Friday.
Mariners announce postseason taxi squad
The two intrasquad games will see the Mariners simulate as close as possible to a normal regular season game daily schedule. The contests will also include the M’s 11 postseason taxi squad members:
- RHP Logan Evans
- RHP Michael Fulmer
- LHP Austin Kitchen
- RHP Casey Legumina
- RHP Collin Snider
- RHP Troy Taylor
- INF Colt Emerson
- C Nick Raposo
- INF/OF Samad Taylor
- OF Rhylan Thomas
- INF Ben Williamson
Arguably the standout name on the list is Colt Emerson, who is the Mariners’ number one prospect in the farm system. He has been outstanding across three levels in the minors during 2025, including batting .364 with a 1.172 OPS in six Triple-A games after being called up to Tacoma to conclude the season.
Emerson is ranked number 11 in MLB Pipelines’ top 100 prospects and is projected to make his Major League debut at some point next year. He is one of two players on the M’s taxi squad yet to have any experience in the majors, along with catcher Nick Raposo.
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Ben Williamson aiming to show improved bat
The other player of note for us is Ben Williamson, who made his Major League debut this year and went on to appear in 85 games for the Mariners. He was eventually optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma, thanks to a combination of the M’s reuniting with Suárez and due to his offensive struggles.
In fairness to Williamson he faired well with his bat back in Tacoma and overall on the season hit .314 with a .854 OPS in 52 games for the Rainiers. He figures to get another extended look in Seattle next season, with Suárez more than likely set to leave and with him already displaying stellar defense at third base at the Major League level.
Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography
Where do you stand on the Mariners having five days off between games? How much does having a break outweigh the importance of keeping momentum and routine going? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
