It’s challenging for any individual prospect to stand out in the Seattle Mariners’ farm system, which is widely considered one of the best. Recently, it was ranked No. 5 in the league by MLB Pipeline.
Nonetheless, every farm system has its hidden gems, and thanks to Jim Bowden of The Athletic and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, three lesser-known Mariners prospects are gaining attention that fans should keep an eye on.
All three have the potential to contribute to the major league team in 2025, starting with a second-round pick from the 2023 draft who could be ready to step in if there’s a need in the infield.
Ben Williamson impresses the brass
Fans may have noticed that 24-year-old Williamson, a product of the College of William and Mary, has been performing well at the plate this spring. In nine appearances, he’s gone 5-for-13 with a double and four RBIs.
However, Williamson truly shines on defense. Despite being ranked behind six other infielders in the Mariners system by MLB Pipeline, he is considered a 65-grade defender, with the potential to provide “elite-level defense” at third base.
After hitting .283 with a .375 OBP in 124 games across High-A and Double-A in 2024, Williamson is a strong candidate to start 2025 with Triple-A Tacoma. If that happens, he could be called up as a potential replacement at third base in case of injury to Jorge Polanco, who is recovering from knee surgery.
For now, Williamson has already caught the eye of president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto, who told Bowden, “As expected, he’s been outstanding defensively, while also showing real offensive skills.”
Also on the radar: Brandyn Garcia and Troy Taylor
While McDaniel also highlights Williamson as a breakout candidate for 2025, he chose to focus on Garcia and Taylor as potential contributors to the Mariners bullpen.
Taylor, the only one of the two with major league experience, made 21 mostly successful appearances for Seattle in 2024, posting a 3.72 ERA and 11.6 K/9. He reached 99 mph with his four-seam fastball and showcased a sweeper with an impressive 44.6 whiff rate.
Baseball America ranks Taylor as the No. 17 prospect in the organization but notes concerns about his short-arm delivery and his ability to consistently get left-handed hitters out. Despite these concerns, his fastball’s arm-side run and the nasty glove-side break on his sweeper make the 23-year-old a potential challenge for right-handed hitters.
On the other hand, Garcia, standing at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, certainly isn’t lacking in size. He relies on a sinker that has touched 96 mph this spring, a velocity rarely seen from left-handed pitchers, whether as relievers (like Josh Hader) or starters (like Tarik Skubal).
MLB Pipeline ranks Garcia as Seattle’s No. 16 prospect, praising his fastball and ability to miss barrels, though concerns about his changeup and control remain. As a result, he’s more likely to develop into a lefty relief specialist rather than a starter.
Regardless, Mariners fans can be hopeful about having at least two potential wild cards for the bullpen. While not exactly a weak point, the bridge to closer Andrés Muñoz will need reinforcement if Matt Brash and Gregory Santos don’t bounce back from injury-plagued seasons in 2024.
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