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Seattle Mariners: The future is beginning now

By David Hill

Mar 21, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners centerfielder Jarred Kelenic (10) hits a homerun against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners centerfielder Jarred Kelenic (10) hits a homerun against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seattle Mariners went from a team on the cusp of the postseason in 2018 to one that embraced the rebuild seemingly overnight. The 89 win team from that 2018 season was essentially gutted, as general manager Jerry Dipoto looked to build a more athletic team that could be a sustainable contender. Although the present may have been painful, the future should be much brighter.

That future is set to begin now. Top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert have been promoted to the majors and will make their debut on Thursday against the Indians.

The future is now for the Seattle Mariners

The Mariners have already brought up several highly touted prospects, including Kyle Lewis and Evan White. And they are not necessarily done with the youth movement this year with Kelenic and Gilbert; other top prospects such as Julio Rodriguez, Emerson Hancock, and George Kirby could be called up as well.

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Kelenic has been in the news since he was included in the Robinson Cano trade package. The sixth overall selection in the 2018 MLB Draft, he has been considered a consensus top 100 prospect for the past three years, and was inside the top ten on every major prospect list heading into 2021. He has an impressive hit tool, making hard contact while driving the ball to all fields. With his power and speed, he could be a future 20-20 player in the majors, a plateau he reached in 2019 while playing at three different levels.

Gilbert occasionally gets lost in the shuffle, but this does not make him any less of a prospect. Armed with a solid four pitch repertoire, he matches his upper 90s fastball with a hard slider, a curve, and an excellent changeup. He pairs impressive command with an ability to miss bats, giving him the potential to be a solid second starter at the major league level.

Seattle has a great deal riding on the outcome of this rebuild. Their salary commitments plummet in the next couple of years, with just $14 million in committed salary for 2023. Should this young core develop as planned, the Mariners will have plenty of room to supplement that group with the right veterans to begin their push to contention.

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The Seattle Mariners are bringing two of their top prospects to the majors in Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert. The future begins now.

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