Colt Emerson isn't letting any setbacks slow him down.
The Seattle Mariners' top prospect, ranked among the top 10 in all of baseball, didn't make the cut for the Opening Day roster. Instead, the Mariners decided to start Emerson with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
As the Rainiers kicked off their season on Friday, Emerson wasted no time making his presence felt. He launched a home run on Opening Day, sending it the opposite way with impressive power. Even more notable, it was a left-on-left homer, showcasing his skill against same-handed pitching.
Emerson's stint in Triple-A might be brief, but the Mariners are wisely taking their time with his development. In the meantime, they're relying on a combination of J.P. Crawford (when healthy), Leo Rivas, and Cole Young to cover the middle infield.
If Emerson continues to hit like this, though, it won't be long before he gets the call to the big leagues. At just 20 years and 250 days old, Emerson is the only Rainier in at least two decades to hit an Opening Day homer before turning 21. He's joining an elite group of Triple-A players who've done the same since 2005, including names like Jackson Holliday, Luis Garcia Jr., Billy Butler, and Prince Fielder.
Emerson's performance is a promising sign of what's to come, affirming the high expectations surrounding his future. The Mariners and their fans have a lot to be excited about with this young talent on the rise.