Minors Notebook: M’s draft pick Stevenson wraps up strong pro debut
Sep 12, 2025, 8:19 AM
Add Luke Stevenson to the list of recent Seattle Mariners first-round picks who have exceled in their pro debuts.
M’s in 1st place in AL West after another walkoff win
Stevenson, a 21-year-old catcher picked No. 35 overall in this year’s MLB draft, made a strong impression at the plate in a his first taste of professional baseball after joining High-A Modesto in August.
In 22 games in the California League, Stevenson hit .280 with a .460 on-base percentage, .860 OPS and six extra-base hits. He also hit his homer as a pro on Sept. 4.
Stevenson showcased the strong plate discipline that is a staple of his approach at the plate, racking up a whopping 23 walks over 100 plate appearances. He also struck four fewer times than he walked in his brief pro debut.
The North Carolina product is coming of a college season in which he hit .251 with a .414 on-base percentage, .965 OPS and 19 home runs in 61 games. He was named ACC Tournament MVP after hitting two home during the Tar Heels’ run to the title.
Stevenson is the No. 10 prospect in the Mariners’ farm system, per MLB Pipeline. Baseball America ranks Stevenson 11th.
AquaSox on verge of NWL title
The High-A Everett AquaSox are trying to become the latest Mariners affiliate to win a league championship.
Everett is tied 1-1 with the Eugene Emeralds in a best-of-five games championship series for the Northwest League title. The AquaSox host the final three games of the series, starting with Game 3 at 1:05 p.m. Friday at Funko Field.
The AquaSox reached the league championship series by finishing first with a 37-29 record in the first half of the season, but struggled while finishing 23-43 for the league’s worst record in the second half after top prospects second baseman Michael Arroyo, outfielder Lazaro Montes and shortstop Colt Emerson graduated to Double-A. However, the promotions top prospects right-hander Ryan Sloan and shortstop Felnin Celesten in mid-August have added some reinforcements to the club for its championship series.
Everett is in search of its first league title since 2010. Seattle’s Triple-A Tacoma affiliate (2021), Double-A Arkansas affiliate (2024) and Single-A Modesto affiliate (2023, 2024) have all won league titles since 2021.
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