SEATTLE -- There is a new No. 1 atop the Mariners’ midseason prospect rankings from MLB Pipeline, and perhaps to little surprise given the production and reputation Colt Emerson has developed in a little over one year after being selected by Seattle in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

“His compete and his motor stand out most,” Mariners director of player development Justin Toole said. “He loves the game and loves working to get better as a player. When you pair that with him being a really talented player, it’s exciting.”

Fresh off a promotion last week from Single-A Modesto to High-A Everett, Emerson is slashing .278/.428/.399 (.827 OPS) with two homers, one triple, 13 doubles and 26 RBIs over 46 games between the affiliates, which also included a short rehab stint in the Arizona Complex League. Emerson also missed six weeks with a fracture in his foot after fouling a ball off the area in mid-May.

On a broader level, the new rankings also feature six Mariners players within MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 overall prospects -- which is tied with the Cubs, Rockies, Guardians and Twins for the most in baseball.

“It’s exciting watching those young guys take a step forward in their development,” Toole said. “We, obviously, have a tremendous amount of talent at our lower levels that are starting to progress through our system. It’s a group that works hard and competes, and they definitely feed off each other in a positive way. It’s an exciting time for Mariners player development.”

Here’s a look at the Mariners’ top prospects:

1. Colt Emerson, SS/2B (MLB No. 30)
2. Cole Young, SS/2B (MLB No. 37)
3. Lazaro Montes, OF (MLB No. 48)
4. Harry Ford, C (MLB No. 53)
5. Felnin Celesten, SS (MLB No. 73)

Complete Top 30 list »

Biggest jump/fall

Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list, which does not include new additions

Jump: Jared Sundstrom, OF (Preseason: Unranked | Midseason: No. 30)

There wasn’t much moving or shuffling within the Mariners’ Top 30, as most players stayed in the same neighborhood of where they broke camp with. But a newcomer to the list is Sundstrom, who has been one of the most consistent hitters at High-A Everett, where he’s slashed .261/.371/.438 (.809 OPS) with 11 homers and 49 RBIs in 89 games. A 10th-round pick by Seattle in 2023, the 6-foot-3 outfielder possesses above-average raw power that he’s still learning how to tap into consistently. He’s also swiped 21 bases, showing that his speed can be average to above.

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Fall: Dawel Joseph, SS (Preseason: 14 | Midseason: 21)

The headliner in last year’s international signing class, Joseph has struggled at the pro level, with a slash line of .133/.287/.170 (.457 OPS) over 164 plate appearances across 43 games in the Dominican Summer League, with only five extra-base hits and zero homers. Joseph was ranked the No. 7 prospect in last year’s international class, and he signed with Seattle for $3 million.

New to the list

Here are the players added to the Top 30 from outside the organization:

No. 7: Jurrangelo Cijntje, SWP (No. 15 pick in 2024 Draft)
No. 8: Ryan Sloan, RHP (No. 55 pick in 2024 Draft)
No. 25: Josh Caron, C (No. 121 pick in 2024 Draft)

Best tools

Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.

Hit: 60 -- Colt Emerson (Cole Young, Jonny Farmelo)
Power: 65 -- Lazaro Montes
Run: 65 -- Jonny Farmelo
Arm: 60 -- Harry Ford (Tai Peete)
Defense: 60 -- Ben Williamson
Fastball: 70 -- Cole Phillips
Curveball: 55 -- Dylan Wilson
Slider: 55 -- Jurrangelo Cijntje (Ryan Sloan, Logan Evans, Teddy McGraw, Troy Taylor, Cole Phillips)
Changeup: 60 -- Ryan Sloan
Control: 60 -- Taylor Dollard