Mariners Notes: Power-hitting prospect to play in fall league

Seattle Mariners trade deadline acquisition Boston Smith is set to play in the Arizona Fall League.

Julio Rodríguez sees quick results from work at the plate

The AFL announced on social media Friday that the power-hitting catching prospect will join the Peoria Javelinas, which is comprised of prospects from the Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.

The 23-year-old Smith, ranked as the Mariners’ No. 13 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was acquired by Seattle on Aug. 2 as a part of the return package in the trade that sent right-hander Luis Castillo the Chicago White Sox.

Smith, a sixth-round pick out of Wright State in the 2025 draft, was in the midst of a stellar first pro season at the time of the trade. He’s seen his batting average dip since joining Double-A Arkansas where he plays half his games at pitcher friendly Dickey-Stephens Park, but has still provided some pop and shown his plus plate discipline since the trade.

In 30 games since joining the M’s organization, Smith has slashed .220/.356/.514 with nine homers, 22 walks and 44 strikeouts. On the season, he has a .270/.424/.567 slash line with 31 homers, 96 walks and 140 strikeouts over 109 games across all levels of the minors. He entered Friday tied for the 13th-most homers in the minor leagues this year.

One of the players joining Smith on the Javelinas will be former Mariners prospect Tai Peete, who was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals on Feb. 2 in the Brendan Donovan trade. The 21-year-old Peete has had a breakout season despite being limited to 64 games by injuries, slashing .302/.366/.564 with 39 extra-base hits, including 13 homers, 28 walks and 81 strikeouts across stints in High-A and Double-A.

Mariners’ lineup vs A’s

The Mariners begin their final road trip Friday night with the opener of a three-game series against the Athletics in West Sacramento, California.

With left-hander Jeffrey Springs set to take the mound for the A’s, Seattle has right-handed platoon bats Taylor Ward and Weston Wilson in the lineup. Ward is batting seventh as the designated hitter while Wilson is in the nine hole as the third baseman.

Below is a look at the full lineup

Back in West Sacramento for three against the A’s. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/FcBpryS2RQ

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 11, 2026

1. SS J.P. Crawford
2. LF Randy Arozarena
3. RF Dominic Canzone
4. C Cal Raleigh
5. CF Julio Rodríguez
6. 1B Josh Naylor
7. DH Taylor Ward
8. 2B Cole Young
9. 3B Weston Wilson

Notably absent from Seattle’s lineup against the southpaw is top prospect Michael Arroyo, a right-handed bat who was promoted on Sunday. The 21 year old has made only one start since his promotion.

The Mariners will be looking to bounce back against Springs after he pitched seven scoreless innings against them last Saturday at T-Mobile Park. He has a career 2.04 ERA over 53 innings in 16 appearances (eight starts) against Seattle.

Springs is the first of three lefty starters the M’s are set to face in the series.

The Mariners and A’s begin their series at 6:40 p.m. Friday night. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app starts with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m.

Seattle native clears waivers

Outfielder Stuart Fairchild cleared waivers on Friday and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma.

Fairchild, a 30-year-old Seattle native, has played in one game for the Mariners this season, appearing as a pinch-runner on Aug. 2. In 15 total big-league games with the M’s and Cleveland Guardians in 2026, he is batting .158 with a .565 OPS.

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