PEORIA, Ariz. -- The equipment truck has already departed for Seattle, the few roster battles that were in the works have mostly been decided, the rotation has been slotted and the final cuts are in the works.
The Mariners still have two more Cactus League games after Saturday’s matchup against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch, but they’ve mostly put a bow on their 2025 Spring Training.
“We've got some work to do down here first,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “But at the same time, mentally, you start to prepare for what's ahead up in Seattle.”
With that in mind -- and before looking ahead to Opening Day -- here’s a recap of Seattle’s spring:
Best development
This doesn’t apply to the big league roster, but the most promising element over the past six weeks has been the steps taken by the hitter-heavy farm system, with many of Seattle's top prospects in camp and shining.
Infielder Colt Emerson -- Seattle’s No. 1 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline -- exhibited a presence and confidence that were far beyond his 19 years of age, outfielder Lazaro Montes (No. 2) hit a few huge homers, shortstop Felnin Celesten (No. 5) showed why the club is dreaming on what he can blossom into with a full healthy season and catcher Harry Ford (No. 4) is still in camp.
The Mariners climbed from No. 9 to No. 5 in MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings, and this spring showed why.
Unfortunate events
The Mariners will be without George Kirby for at least the first month of the schedule after he suffered inflammation in his pitching shoulder and had to be shut down on March 7. But the 2023 All-Star has begun playing catch and is optimistic about a return in late April.
“It's better for the long term and all that, which I know, it was just frustrating in the beginning,” Kirby said. “But I want to be healthy all year. I want to be healthy towards the end of the year. I want to be pitching in the playoffs. So it's important that we did what we did.”
With Kirby sidelined, Emerson Hancock will be re-inserted into the rotation to begin the season for the second straight year, after he filled in for Bryan Woo at the 2024 outset. Hancock also took over for Luis Castillo when “La Piedra” was sidelined for the final three weeks of last season. In total, he made 12 starts with a 4.75 ERA.
Who opened eyes
Slugger Rowdy Tellez has all but earned a roster spot after joining the team on Feb. 21 as a non-roster invite on a Minor League deal. The Mariners were seeking another left-handed presence at first base and designated hitter, and Tellez ran with the opportunity, swatting three homers and getting more Cactus League at-bats (43) than all but three players.
Seattle’s Opening Day roster likely won’t land until Wednesday, but the club must make a decision on Tellez by Sunday, when the first of his three opt-outs can be triggered. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder will earn a guaranteed $1.5 million if he’s added to the 26-man roster at any point this season.
“He's got the threat of going deep every time,” Wilson said. “But I think probably the thing that's impressed me the most is just left-on-left at-bats. He's been [going] up the middle quite a bit, left-on-left.”
Wow moment
Jurrangelo Cijntje is still a few years away, but his showcase of pitching with both arms in Spring Breakout was easily the most awe-inspiring highlight over the past six weeks.
Cijntje was up to 98 mph from his right arm, including an electrifying strikeout to finish his night against Cleveland’s Travis Bazzanna, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s Draft. Cijntje also got Bazzanna to ground out against a 92.1 mph heater from his left side.
“It's just a really unique athletics tool package that comes with things that we don't see off the field, like great makeup, real leadership, skills, intelligence,” Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said. “There’s just a lot to work with for our [player development] group over the coming years.”
In case you missed it
The Mariners Commercials returned for the second straight year after a five-year hiatus and featured four bits showcasing the eclectic personalities within their young clubhouse. But it was the reel of the older guy in camp, Ichiro Suzuki, that generated the most buzz.
Suzuki was the headliner in a digital short titled “GOAT Yoga,” which was a nod to the franchise icon being elected to the Hall of Fame in January -- and featured him ushering livestock around the clubhouse.