The Seattle Mariners already had some uncertainty surrounding their infield coming into the season. But now, after a string of injuries, it’s become a more serious issue.
Second baseman Ryan Bliss is set to undergo surgery for a torn biceps and is expected to be sidelined for four to five months. Jorge Polanco, who was projected to be the everyday third baseman, is dealing with an oblique injury that has limited him to designated hitter duties — and only from the left side of the plate.
To make matters worse, right fielder Victor Robles will be out for at least 12 weeks with a shoulder injury, prompting Luke Raley to shift from a part-time role at first base to an everyday role in right field.
With their infield depth being pushed to the limit, the Mariners could potentially consider calling up top prospects Cole Young and Ben Williamson from Triple-A Tacoma. However, team insider Shannon Drayer, speaking Friday on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy, believes the organization isn’t likely to alter its development timeline just yet.
Drayer emphasized that the Mariners won’t rush either player, especially since both have only spent two weeks at Triple-A.
“I don’t think anybody’s going to be fast-tracked — especially not this early in the season,” Drayer said. “There’s still time to let them grow, even if that’s not what fans want to hear right now.”
Young, a 2022 first-round pick straight out of high school, ranks No. 46 overall on MLB Pipeline and No. 53 on Baseball America’s top prospect list. At just 21, he started the year as the second-youngest player in the Pacific Coast League.
While he impressed last season in Double-A Arkansas — hitting .271 with nine home runs and a .759 OPS — his Triple-A debut has been rocky so far, with a .178 average and a .569 OPS over 45 at-bats.
Drayer believes a midseason call-up is more realistic for Young.
“These are key pieces of your future, and you don’t want to bring them up before they’re ready,” she said. “You want them to come up and succeed, not struggle.”
Williamson, a second-round pick in 2023, ranks among the Mariners’ top 15 prospects. The 24-year-old is lauded for his elite defense at third base and has already made several standout plays at Tacoma. Although he doesn’t hit for much power — just four homers in 148 minor league games — he owns a .282 career average in the minors and is currently batting .286 with a .661 OPS at Tacoma.
Drayer noted that while Williamson is already MLB-ready with the glove, his bat needs more time to develop.
“Williamson could step in and be a Gold Glove-level defender right now,” she said. “But if his offense isn’t there, that can impact his defense too. The Mariners are taking a cautious approach with him.”
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