With Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena stepping away from Mariners camp to represent their countries in the World Baseball Classic, there’s a temporary shakeup in Seattle’s outfield plans this spring. But with that shift comes opportunity-and one young name is starting to draw some real buzz: Jonny Farmelo.
At just 21 years old, Farmelo is stepping into the spotlight as a player to watch this spring. That’s not just idle chatter-ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez singled him out as the Mariners’ must-watch prospect in camp, and that kind of attention doesn’t come lightly. For a player who’s had a tough run with injuries early in his pro career, this spring could be his first real chance to turn heads.
Farmelo, drafted 29th overall in 2023 out of high school, has long been on Seattle’s radar as a high-upside outfield talent. Internally, there’s real excitement about what he could become.
Former Mariners center fielder and now special assignment coach Mike Cameron has nicknamed him “Ferrari”-a nod to both his elite speed and raw power. According to team sources, the tools are “huge.”
The only thing missing? A consistent stretch of time to show them off.
Injuries have slowed his development. A torn ACL in 2024 derailed a key year of growth, and a rib injury kept him out for most of 2025. But now, fully healthy and back in action, Farmelo enters 2026 with a clean slate and a chance to climb the organizational ladder.
Let’s be clear-Farmelo isn’t breaking camp with the big-league club. He’s still a ways off from cracking the Opening Day roster.
But this spring, with regular starters away, he’ll have a unique window to showcase his progress against top-tier competition. That’s the kind of exposure that can stick in the minds of coaches and front office decision-makers when it comes time to make future roster calls.
More than anything, this spring is about showing he can stay on the field and handle the day-to-day grind. The tools are there-the speed, the strength, the instincts. Now it’s about putting it all together and proving he can handle the climb through the minors.
Farmelo may not be a household name just yet, but the Mariners are watching closely. And if he can make the most of this opportunity, it might not be long before “Ferrari” is revving up in Seattle’s outfield for good.