Baseball America released its first Top 100 Prospects list for the 2026 season on Wednesday, and the Seattle Mariners were represented by four names—down from the eight prospects they placed on the publication’s final rankings last summer. While the overall number has decreased, the Mariners still boast a strong presence near the top of the list, highlighted by one of the best young infielders in baseball.
Seattle’s four prospects included on the initial 2026 rankings are shortstop Colt Emerson, outfielder Lazaro Montes, left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson, and right-handed pitcher Ryan Sloan. The drop in total prospects reflects a combination of graduations, trades, and shifting evaluations across the organization rather than a lack of talent.
One notable reason for the decline was the offseason trade that sent catcher Harry Ford to the Washington Nationals in exchange for left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer. Ford, who came in at No. 99 on Baseball America’s latest update, would have been the fifth Mariners prospect on the list had he remained in the organization.
Several other familiar names narrowly missed the cut. Outfielders Michael Arroyo and Jonny Farmelo, along with switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, fell outside the Top 100. Arroyo, in particular, was close to retaining his spot, landing on Baseball America’s list of 20 prospects who just missed the rankings. Editor-in-chief JJ Cooper explained that Arroyo’s drop was largely due to uncertainty surrounding his defensive future as the Mariners transition the 21-year-old from second base to left field—a move intended to speed up his path to the majors.
Leading the way for Seattle is Colt Emerson, who ranked No. 7 overall. The 2023 first-round pick surged through three minor league levels during his age-19 season, posting strong offensive numbers while showing advanced plate discipline. Emerson even reached Triple-A late in the year, where he homered twice in a brief stint. With his rapid development, he enters spring training with a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster and is widely expected to debut in the majors in 2026 if healthy.
Left-hander Kade Anderson checked in at No. 25 after a dominant college season at LSU, where he played a key role in the Tigers’ national championship run. Although Anderson did not pitch professionally after being drafted due to his heavy workload, evaluators view him as one of the most polished arms in his class, putting him on a fast track to Seattle.
Lazaro Montes ranked No. 58 and continued to turn heads with his elite power. Despite a dip in batting average after his promotion to Double-A, Montes finished among the minor league leaders in home runs and remains a strong candidate to reach the majors this season.
Rounding out the list is Ryan Sloan at No. 60. The 19-year-old right-hander impressed in his first professional campaign, showing command and poise beyond his years. While a 2026 debut is not guaranteed, Sloan’s rapid rise makes a late-season appearance a realistic possibility.
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