6 Mariners prospects who could debut in '23

May 5th, 2023

This story was excerpted from Daniel Kramer’s Mariners Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SEATTLE -- The era is here, and the first chapter was a 10-strikeout marvel in Oakland on Tuesday.

Miller entered Spring Training on the MLB doorstep, but there were a few others in camp who also showed that they could be close.

Here’s a look at a few other prospects who could join Miller in making their MLB debut in 2023:

RHP Emerson Hancock (No. 4 )

Emerson Hancock was always a tad behind Miller after a slower start to his pro career, but he showed in camp that he’s close. Like Miller, the mainstream numbers on the former Georgia Bulldog suggest he’s had a somewhat uneven start to ‘23 at Double-A Arkansas. But, that’s largely ballooned by a career-high nine earned runs in three innings on April 20 and needing 35 pitches to get two outs on Wednesday, after which he was pulled. Also, like Miller, Hancock’s contributions this year might be based on need or as an injury replacement.

RHP Bryan Woo (No. 6)

Bryan Woo is also in that mix, but the 2021 sixth-round Draft pick has just 74 pro innings under his belt, a sign that the Mariners will probably want to see him add mileage and evaluate how his stuff holds in a long season. That said, he’s been outstanding, holding hitters to a slash line of .138/.231/.155 (.386 OPS) with a 1.59 ERA and 27 strikeouts in four starts.

RHP Prelander Berroa (No. 14)

Prelander Berroa is still starting at Double-A, which isn’t to say that he can’t quickly transition to the bullpen -- the place he seems more destined for in the Majors. But he's really struggled with command, walking 14 of 82 batters for a Texas League-high 17.1% walk rate. He had some huge moments against big-time hitters in Spring Training, but the Mariners will surely want to see him get back on track before considering a promotion.

RHP Taylor Dollard (No. 9)

Taylor Dollard has been touted as arguably the most reliable arm in the system, and it all goes back to the saying that durability is the best ability. But he's scuffled in his first three outings for Triple-A Tacoma, allowing seven runs, including four homers. He spent all of last season at Arkansas, where he had a 2.25 ERA in 27 starts. Part of that could be adjusting to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He’s an innings-eater and in his age-24 season, which is older on the prospect pendulum. That all points to him getting a good look if the Mariners need a starter in a pinch in the near future.

OF Cade Marlowe (No. 16)

Cade Marlowe is probably next in line if the Mariners need to dig into their depth for an outfielder, just as they did with Taylor Trammell last weekend. He’s checked every box on his road to the Majors, and the question about him taking the next step is if he'll be able to consistently hit. In 12 games at Tacoma, he’s hit .333/.400/.597 (.997 OPS), with nine of his 19 hits going for extra bases. He’s fully healthy, too, after his spring came to a screeching halt after suffering an oblique strain.

OF Zach DeLoach (No. 26)

Next after Marlowe on the outfield totem pole is probably Zach DeLoach. He might not ever live up to his billing as a second-round pick in the shortened 2020 Draft, but the former Texas A&M Aggie still probably has the ceiling of a fourth outfielder, especially if he can hit more consistently. At the very least, he’ll probably reach the Majors in some capacity based on the decent job he does at a combination of things. The makeup and maturity are already in his favor.

And then you have the next wave of talent, headlined by Harry Ford (No. 1), Cole Young (No. 3) and Felnin Celestin (No. 5), who are all at least a few years away but have more upside than any position players in the system.