Mariners top the Majors with 7 prospects in MLB Pipeline Top 100

The Mariners continue to prove they have one of the best farm systems in all of baseball, led by Colt Emerson at number nine in the Top 100.

Jerry Dipoto has received plenty of criticism — some of it deserved, some not so much — since arriving in Seattle, first as the general manager and then as president of baseball operations. However, one thing which even his harshest critics will surely admit, is that he’s continually had the Mariners among the strongest farm systems in the majors during his tenure.

Well, this sterling reputation now continues with the release of MLB Pipeline’s 2026 preseason Top 100 Prospects list. The Mariners tops the majors with seven prospects in the top 100, and keep in mind it would have been eight if Harry Ford had not been traded to the Washington Nationals in order to acquire Jose Ferrer.

The Cleveland Guardians are second with six prospects, while the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers are tied with five. Here is the list of the Mariners’ seven top 100 prospects, including their previous rankings in brackets:

No. 9: Colt Emerson, SS (9)
No. 21: Kade Anderson, LHP (23)
No. 33: Ryan Sloan, RHP (44)
No. 43: Lazaro Montes, OF (29)
No. 67: Michael Arroyo, 2B (63)
No. 78: Jonny Farmelo, OF (75)
No. 91: Jurrangelo Cijntje, SHP (90)

M’s number one prospect ready for the Majors

Colt Emerson remains the jewel in the crown, with projections having him eventually taking over from J.P. Crawford as the Mariners’ long-term shortstop. Keep in mind though that he does have the flexibility to also play at second and third base, which could prove invaluable with him in line to make his Major League debut this coming season.

The 20-year-old has a reputation as one of the best pure hitters in the minors but what matters most is production, with him succeeding at three levels last season. This included after being promoted to Triple-A Tacoma for the first time in September, as he batted .364 with a 1.172 OPS in six games.

Next we have Kade Anderson, who the Mariners were fortunate to even get, following the unexpected bonus of moving up to third position in last year’s draft lottery. He was undoubtedly the best pitcher, but also arguably the best overall talent of the 2025 draft class.

Anderson has yet to make his professional debut due to the Mariners wanting to rest him following a heavy workload last year, combined with adding weight and building up his strength. His talent is such that he is projected to rise quickly through the minors and make his Major League debut as soon as the 2027 season.

Biggest jump for the Mariners

Ryan Sloan offers plenty of encouragement as the biggest riser among all Mariners prospects, leaping up 10 places to number 33. He has intimidating size at 6 foot 5 and three promising pitches including a fastball which averages around 96 mph, combined with an excellent reputation for his work ethic.

Sloan produced a 3.73 ERA and 1.159 WHIP in 21 combined games last year at A and A+, although it was noteworthy that he only averaged just under 4.0 innings per start. The Mariners will work on extending his outings this coming season, with projections having him in line to make his Major League debut in 2028.

Lazaro Montes is the biggest disappointment, dropping from the number 29 prospect in baseball to number 43. He might still be one of the top outfield prospects in the game with an intriguing power bat, but he now needs to refocus his efforts to live up to his high ceiling.

Michael Arroyo took a slight step in the wrong direction, but at least remains as the number two second base prospect in baseball. Jonny Farmelo will be playing his first full season since tearing his right ACL, while Jurrangelo Cijntje is projected to make his Major League debut this year although it might be impacted by how much longer the M’s continue using him as a switch-pitcher.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography & Mariners Media

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