Mariners to option rookie shortstop Colt Emerson to Triple-A

The Seattle Mariners are sending prized rookie shortstop Colt Emerson back to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers after 68 games in his first big league stint, according to Mariners insider Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports.

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Brock Rodden, a 26-year-old infielder, will be selected from the Rainiers to take Emerson’s spot on the Mariners’ 26-man roster, per Drayer. Rodden was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft by Seattle out of Wichita State and would be joining the MLB club for the first time.

The 21-year-old Emerson was informed of the move following the Mariners’ 1-0 win Thursday at Yankee Stadium, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reported.

Emerson was a first-round pick in the 2023 draft out of high school and the Mariners’ top prospect for much of his time in the farm system. He  had a strong start with the Mariners after being called up in mid-May, hitting .271 with three home runs and a .935 OPS in his first 15 games. He has struggled in the two-plus months since, slashing just .190/.246/.335 for a .581 OPS with eight home runs and 83 strikeouts to 15 walks on the year.

The strikeouts have especially been a concern. His 34.4% strikeout rate is nearly twice the 18.8% rate he maintained in the minor leagues.

With Emerson in Tacoma and J.P. Crawford on the injured list, the Mariners have switch-hitting utility man Leo Rivas along with Rodden as options to take over at shortstop. Seattle could also turn to starting second baseman Cole Young and veteran utility man Brendan Donovan, who has mainly played third base this year, to play short.

Rodden is hitting .262 with 19 home runs and an .841 OPS in 92 games for Tacoma. He has split his time between short, third base and second base this season, plus appeared in the outfield.

The Mariners (57-65) begin a big three-game series in Houston against the AL West-leading Astros on Friday. Seattle’s win over the Yankees on Thursday snapped a six-game losing streak and was just its 10th win over the last 35 games. Since early July, the Mariners have dropped from the AL West lead to five games behind Houston entering Friday.

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