Josh Naylor re-signs with the Mariners

Prospects that are going to be considerations to open with the Mariners in 2026:

Colt Emerson

• AGE20
• BATSL
• DOB07/20/2005
• THROWSR
• HT6' 0"
• DRAFTED2023, 1st (22) - SEA
• WT195
• ETA2026
• TWITTER@Colt _emerson

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 65 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60

After starring for Team USA in the 18U World Cup before his senior year, Emerson was Ohio’s Gatorade high school player of the year that spring. He landed in the first round with the Mariners in 2023, the third straight year the club took a high school hitter with its first selection. His first full season was a success in that he reached High-A just after his 19th birthday, even though an oblique injury early and a fractured foot suffered in May limited him to 70 games. He made up for lost time with a dozen strong games in the Arizona Fall League, though a minor hamstring issue ended his stay early.

Owner of the best hit tool in the Mariners system, Emerson got multiple votes in MLB Pipeline’s annual executive poll as being the best pure hitter in the Minors. He has a smooth and repeatable left-handed swing that enables him to find the barrel and make consistent hard contact. His .419 on-base percentage entering 2025 is a sign of his advanced approach as he’s walked nearly as often as he has struck out thus far in his career, and he rarely chases. He hasn’t really started to tap into his raw power with a hit-first approach, but his bat speed and strength point to at least average pop in the future.

A former all-state wide receiver on the gridiron, Emerson isn’t a burner, but his athleticism shows up on both sides of the ball. He has excellent instincts on the basepaths that allowed him to go 15-for-17 in stolen base attempts in 2024, and he has good actions and enough arm for shortstop. He’s gotten reps at third and second as well, with some thinking he might eventually be best suited for the hot corner long term.

Harry Ford

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Ford was the top prep backstop and the second-highest ranked catcher in the 2021 Draft class, and was taken as such when the Mariners selected him No. 12 overall, after college catcher Henry Davis went No. 1 overall to the Pirates. The Georgia prep product has moved a level at a time over his three full seasons of pro ball, going to two Futures Games (in '23 and '24) and starring for Great Britain in international competition, including the World Baseball Classic.

Playing as one of the younger players at every level, Ford has yet to put it all together in terms of statistical performance, but the right-handed hitter has shown some traits that point to plenty of future success. His 265 combined walks in his three full seasons place him second among all Minor Leaguers in that time span and he has a career .404 on base percentage heading into '25. Now using a simplified toe tap at the plate to help his timing, he has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields. There’s loft in his swing, even if that did not translate into home run power in Double-A last year.

Ford offers a unique profile as a catcher with plus speed, one who stole 35 bases in '24 and 82 bags over three years, giving him 20-20 potential. He still has work to do with his overall defensive work in terms of blocking and framing, but he has strong leadership skills, works hard at his craft and his agility plays well behind the dish. For the first time, he did see time in left field last year as the Mariners work to add some positional flexibility to his resume

Guesses:

Cole Young is also going to be a consideration along with Williamson so that is 4 guys ~ seems like Emerson or Young is the second baseman, Emerson is a potential at 3rd with maybe more power potential that Williamson and Ford is going to get AB’s at DH and I think they will give him some meaningful time in the field (OF + backup Catcher)

Ford and Williamson are also potential trade chips along with Castillo ~ I’m convinced they will trade Luis this offseason to help finance the attempt to retain their other pitching rotation members longer term.