On January 30, the Mariners confirmed their list of players who will head to 2025 Spring Training as non-roster invites. Several of Seattle’s top prospects are among the 21 players headed to Arizona for big league camp. Cole Young and Lazaro Montes headline the list.
Shortstop Cole Young is arguably the most notable, considering he’s one of the closest to the Majors. Young is not a power hitter, although he’s shown some pop and gap power in his Minor League career. However, he’s a smooth hitter who rarely strikes out (15.7% K% in 2024), has a good feel for the bat and can pull it or go the other way, and get on base.
His on-base skill is arguably the most desirable in his toolbox. Young walked 67 times (12.1% BB%) last season and sported a 369 OBP with Arkansas (AA). The Pittsburgh native, a first-round pick in 2022, could be a Major Leaguer this season.
Cuban signee Lazaro Montes, a 20-year-old outfielder, will also be in camp. Montes, a terrific power hitter, had a standout 2024 between Modesto (A) and Everett (A+). The left-handed slugger hit 21 home runs and 42 extra-base hits, as well as drove in 102 between the two levels.
Montes has a longer stroke and prone to strikeouts. However, his plus power was evident in games. The Mariners prospect had no problem driving balls the other way and out of the park, and is a 30-home run potential player.
Aside from those two, several other big names prospects will be in camp.
Catcher Harry Ford, a standout two years ago in the World Baseball Classic, is inching closer to Seattle but had the worst statistical season of his career in 2024. Ford hit .249/.377/.367 (.744 OPS) with seven home runs and 35 extra-base hits with Arkansas (AA), hitting for far less power in the upper Minors.
Infielders Michael Arroyo and Colt Emerson will also be among the group.
Arroyo had a loud 2024 season, split between the Nuts and Aquasox. The 20-year-old shortstop cracked 23 home runs and slugged .509 between the two levels.
Emerson, meanwhile, posted a .769 OPS and made it to High-A last year. However, he’s spent significant time on the IL over the first two years of his pro career. The 19-year-old’s only played 94 career MiLB games.
Additionally, the Mariners assigned Hunter Cranton, Ben Williamson, Josh Caron, Connor Charping, Spencer Packard, Logan Evans, Rhylan Thomas, Tyler Cleveland, Peyton Alford, Brandyn Garcia, Nick Dunn, and Brock Rodden.
There will also be several former Major Leaguers in camp.
Infielder Samad Taylor spent 2024 with Seattle and will return as a non-roster invite. Meanwhile, Luis Castillo — the former Tiger — will also be with Seattle.
Neftali Feliz will look to make it back to the Majors for the first time in almost four years with the M’s. Feliz spent last year in the Mexican League and posted a 2.11 ERA with Estrellas in LIDOM this winter.
Also, the Mariners will take a shot on Shintaro Fujinami. Fujinami pitched well out of the bullpen with Baltimore two years ago. But, he was DFA’d by the Mets and outrighted in a year that saw him walk over a batter an inning (33 over 32.1 IP) in Syracuse (AAA).
Seattle joins the likes of the Braves and Rangers, who have also named their non-roster invite list for 2025.