Mariners re-assign Colt Emerson to minor league camp

The Seattle Mariners re-assigned top prospect Colt Emerson to minor league camp on Saturday, which means the highly touted 20-year-old infielder will likely open the season in Triple-A Tacoma.

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As veteran shortstop J.P. Crawford continues to deal with a shoulder injury that could land him on the injured list, there was some thought that perhaps Emerson could make Seattle’s opening day roster. But given that Emerson has played just 40 games above Single-A – 34 in Double-A and six in Triple-A – that would have been a big leap.

In the event Crawford opens the season on the IL, the Mariners’ top shortstop options figure to be veteran utilityman Leo Rivas or Cole Young. Young is expected to be Seattle’s opening day starter at second base, but he’s also been working at shortstop this spring and has extensive background at the position during his time in the minors.

Emerson, a 2023 first-round draft pick, is the Mariners’ consensus No. 1 prospect. He’s the No. 7 overall prospect in Baseball America’s Top 100 and the No. 9 overall prospect in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.

This spring, Emerson slashed .268/.340/.488 with two home runs, one triple and one double in 41 Cactus League at-bats. In his first full pro season last year, he batted .285 with 16 homers and an .842 OPS in 130 games between High-A Everett, Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma.

The Mariners also optioned outfielder Rhylan Thomas to Tacoma. Seattle’s spring training roster now sits at 36 players.

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