Three more top prospects among latest Mariners spring cuts

Three roster moves were made ahead of the Seattle Mariners spring training game Sunday, with prospects Michael Arroyo and Ryan Sloan and veteran Michael Rucker re-assigned to minor league camp.

Dipoto details how Mariners unlocked Eduard Bazardo

The Mariners also re-assigned outfielder Jonny Farmelo, pitcher Charlie Beilenson and catcher Jakson Reetz following Sunday’s game.

Arroyo, the No. 67 overall prospect in baseball as ranked by MLB Pipeline, had been away for most of camp as the infielder joined Team Colombia for the World Baseball. He has impressed with the bat whether it was in Puerto Rico for the WBC or when he’s been with the M’s this spring. In the WBC he hit 4 for 13 with three walks to three strikeouts, and with the M’s in Cactus League play is 3 for 10 with two doubles and a home run while walking five times and striking out just twice.

With a mature approach at the plate and what some have called some of the best natural hitting talent in the organization, his immediate obstacle to the big leagues is position. A second baseman whose defense has not caught up with his offense, the Mariners determined last season his best path might be for him to add positional flexibility by having him learn the outfield – left field to be specific. That process is underway and should continue in the minors.

Right-handed pitcher Ryan Sloan, as we mentioned in Friday’s notebook, has been in big league camp but not seen Cactus League action since his near perfect inning against the Rangers on March 1. However, the No. 33 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline has been throwing bullpens and started a minor league game. The idea has been to give Sloan exposure to big league camp and keep him, along with No. 21 overall prospect Kade Anderson, on track to pitch innings in the Spring Breakout prospect showcase game against Milwaukee on Friday.

Saturday: M’s re-assign Kade Anderson to minor league camp

Like Arroyo, Sloan has made a great impression in his first big league camp. The stuff has been good and he has shown a maturity well beyond his 20 years in his one appearance and live BPs against big leaguers. Sloan, who has worked to add a two-seam fastball, will likely start the season at Double-A Arkansas. The Mariners will look to manage his innings carefully as he could be an option if needed in the rotation – and perhaps could be an intriguing option out of the bullpen should the M’s make the postseason.

Farmelo is the No. 78 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline. A first-round pick in 2023, Farmelo is hitting 6 for 28 (.214) with two doubles, a triple, four walks and three stolen bases in Cactus League play.

Rucker, a 31-year-old right-hander, is from Auburn, Wash., and went to Gonzaga. He pitched in 96 combined games for the Cubs from 2021-23 and last pitched in the Washington Nationals organization in 2024.

Beilenson has pitched in three games this spring in addition to two scoreless outings for Team Israel in the WBC.

Reetz is 2 for 18 (.111) with a double this spring.

With the moves, the Mariners’ spring roster is now at 45 players.

More from Seattle Mariners spring training

• Muñoz, Mastrobuoni return cherishing WBC experiences
• Roster Moves: Mariners re-assign Kade Anderson to minor league camp
• Arozarena issues statement upon return to Mariners
• Drayer: The reason Cole Young is having a good spring isn’t what you think
• Brennen Davis seizing expanded opportunity in Seattle Mariners camp

Related

Happ, Ramirez power Cubs to 19-2 rout of MarinersRandy Arozarena reaches milestone with leadoff HRMariners place Brendan Donovan on concussion ILFormer Mariner Jarred Kelenic DFA’d by RangersHow to find Sunday’s Seahawks, Mariners games on radioMariners’ Kade Anderson takes it all in before impressing in debut