5 Mariners Prospects to Watch Closely This Spring
For the Seattle Mariners, spring training 2026 isn’t just about prepping for a potential World Series run - it’s also a showcase for the future. With 16 players expected to leave camp for the World Baseball Classic, there’s a golden opportunity for the organization’s rising stars to step into the spotlight.
And make no mistake: there’s real talent here. Some names you’ve heard before.
Others are just starting to generate buzz. But all of them have something to prove as they step into the big-league environment.
Let’s break down five prospects who could make waves in Peoria over the next few weeks.
LHP Kade Anderson
You don’t often hear whispers of Max Fried when a pitching prospect hasn’t thrown a single pro inning yet - but that’s the kind of hype surrounding Kade Anderson. The Mariners’ top pick in the 2025 draft finally took the mound in Seattle gear this week, and it didn’t take long for eyes to widen.
Anderson’s early bullpen sessions have already had the Mariners’ brass buzzing. This week, he threw to Cal Raleigh with Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander watching closely - a clear sign of how highly the organization views him. He’s been working on adding strength since being drafted, and now that the physical foundation is coming together, the stuff is starting to show.
The lefty’s delivery is smooth, the fastball has life, and the breaking ball already flashes plus. If he performs this spring the way the Mariners hope he can, the idea of an accelerated path to the majors won’t feel so far-fetched. For now, he’s one of the most intriguing arms in camp - and all eyes will be on how he handles his first taste of big-league surroundings.
OF Jonny Farmelo
Jonny Farmelo is no stranger to the Mariners’ system - but thanks to a string of injuries, fans haven’t had many chances to see what he can really do. Drafted in the first round back in 2023, Farmelo’s journey has included a torn ACL in 2024 and a rib injury in 2025. But when he’s healthy, the tools are loud.
A team source described his raw ability as “huge,” and that’s not an exaggeration. Farmelo brings plus speed, a strong arm, and the kind of athleticism that jumps off the field. And with Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena heading off to the WBC, there’s a real window for him to get regular reps in center and right field.
The key for Farmelo this spring will be consistency - showing that he can stay healthy and put those tools to work against advanced competition. If he does that, he’ll remind everyone why he was such a coveted pick just a few years ago.
C Luke Stevenson
The Mariners had two first-rounders in 2025, and Luke Stevenson - taken 35th overall - wasted no time making an impression. In just 22 games with Single-A Modesto, Stevenson posted a .460 on-base percentage and flashed the kind of defensive polish that’s rare in a 19-year-old catcher.
He’s already shown he can hit for power and get on base, and scouts are high on his arm strength and pitch-framing ability behind the plate. He’s not on top-100 lists just yet, but evaluators believe he’s trending in that direction - and a strong spring could accelerate that climb.
With Cal Raleigh also headed to the WBC, Stevenson will get more reps than most young catchers typically see in big-league camp. That means more chances to work with major league pitchers, more chances to call games, and more chances to show he belongs. Don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the breakout stories of camp.
RHP Tyler Cleveland
Tyler Cleveland is coming off a season that would turn heads in any organization. Across 41 appearances between High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas, he posted a ridiculous 0.87 ERA. Then he went to the Arizona Fall League and kept dealing.
So why isn’t he already on the fast track to the majors? Well, Cleveland is 26 years old and throws from a submarine arm slot that’s unorthodox even by reliever standards. He’s not your typical prospect - but that doesn’t mean he’s not ready to make an impact.
This spring, Cleveland has a chance to prove he’s more than just a funky delivery. If he can get big-league hitters off balance the same way he did in the minors, he could force his way into bullpen conversations sooner than later. He’s a wild card, but an intriguing one - and he’s earned a closer look.
OF Victor Labrada
Victor Labrada has been around the Mariners’ system for a while now, and for most of that time, he’s been viewed as a potential fourth outfielder - a speed-first guy who can pinch run and play defense late in games. But lately, he’s been giving people a reason to reconsider that ceiling.
Labrada’s been training at Driveline this offseason, and the results are starting to show. Recent video showed him hitting balls with exit velocities north of 100 mph - a big jump for a player whose game has never been centered around power.
And it’s not just cage work. In 2025, Labrada quietly posted a .403 OBP and nearly even strikeout-to-walk numbers.
If he can pair that plate discipline with even modest power, he becomes a much more dynamic offensive threat. He’s still a longshot to make the Opening Day roster, but this spring could be his best shot yet to change that narrative.
Final Thoughts
While the Mariners’ core is built to contend now, the next wave of talent is already knocking on the door - and with so many regulars away for the World Baseball Classic, the stage is set for these five prospects to make their mark.
Whether it’s Anderson’s electric left arm, Farmelo’s raw tools, Stevenson’s all-around game, Cleveland’s deceptive delivery, or Labrada’s late-blooming bat, each of these players brings something unique to the table. And if even one of them can turn heads this spring, it won’t just be a win for their development - it’ll be another sign that Seattle’s pipeline is alive and well.