2026 Prospects Thread

[GL_Storm]

The failure rate on these Latin American guys is really high. I've thought about it and I think the problem is the lack of independent amateur baseball systems in the countries these players come from. Cuba may be the exception as I think they are more organized there. But most of these kids get started when they sign on with these trainers at 13 or 14 years old, and the trainers' only incentive is to market them to major league teams for the largest bonus possible.

[Pharmabro]

Kind of stupid for the 3 J’s to just sit there and try to get away with a steal with bats out there that are probably going to get picked off by other competitors. You win with performance and lose with potential. We’ve got a small window for the ring and shouldn’t blow it due to greed

?

[Pharmabro]

Mariners drop 4.1 mil for 2 signees

Rijo #15 Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

JoJo Parker was a late-blooming Mississippi high schooler who soared up Draft boards in 2025 as he showcased an advanced approach at the dish and a sweet swing that was geared for loft, especially as he matures. Rijo gives off similar offensive vibes to the eighth overall pick, a hitter who has refined his mechanics and begun to tap into more all-around impact as he gains more high-profile experience.

In his younger days, Rijo gave off a Jon Jay-esque profile as a high-contact, hit-over-power left-handed-hitting corner outfield bat. But in the pivotal development years since, he has enjoyed a growth spurt and packed on some good weight, which has allowed both his raw power and in-game ability to tap into it take a leap. Rijo has an advanced knowledge of what he wants to do in the box and allows the ball to travel, which helps him spray hits to all parts of the diamond. His track record of success in tournaments as an amateur, coupled with those big-time power gains, puts an up arrow next to his name as he enters pro ball

Pio
uting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

San Pedro de Macorís has emerged as a veritable hot bed of baseball talent on a yearly basis, often producing big leaguers with one of the highest per capita rates in the Dominican Republic. Pio has the tooled-up lean and wiry look that many of his predecessors – such as Alfonso Soriano – did at the same age. There is loads of projection to dream on with Pio’s 6-foot-1 frame, bolstered by the fact that he’ll be just 16 when the 2026 international signing period officially opens.

There’s presently plus raw power coiled up in Pio’s strong right-handed swing, which often ends with a one-handed follow through. While he’s currently power-over-hit, he does frequently rip the ball from gap-to-gap. Pio has loads of bat speed but he’ll need to refine his pitch selection and chase rate in pro ball. Ultimately, it’s a high-risk, high-reward offensive profile, one

Rijo has a big grade. That would put them in our top five but his rank in the international free agent class I did interpret is like somewhere around our number 15 to 20 in our top 30 prospects one can hope but I think I’d put them more in the you know, 15 range rather than the very top of our list.

[AZOldDawg]

Kind of stupid for the 3 J’s to just sit there and try to get away with a steal with bats out there that are probably going to get picked off by other competitors. You win with performance and lose with potential. We’ve got a small window for the ring and shouldn’t blow it due to greed

?

Greed on ownership in terms of money saved by not spending on a bat

[GL_Storm]

The Mariners apparently signed 3 of the top 50 international prospects, as defined by MLB pipeline.

Here's the article: https://www.mlb.com/news/seattle-marine ... l-signings

These kids are so young, and the failure rate on Latin American prospects is so high, that I'm not even sure we should count them as "prospects" yet. Maybe we should call them "pre-prospects" until they at least make it to the states.

[bpj]

Saw this and was surprised to see Will Smith at pick # 32 was the first good pick of the 2016 draft.

Unless you count Gavin Lux.

The Mariners got Kyle Lewis at 16. But pretty much every other first rounder was also terrible.

Draft results:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Majo ... ball_draft

[Captain 97]

Cole Ragans was drafted ahead of Smith. He was an allstar and finished 4th in the CY young voting in 2024.

[Bil522]

Honestly, I think that this year we won't see many rookies. If we bring a player up, they will be part of the lockout next season. If they stay down the minors leagues, they will keep playing and not sitting around doing nothing. By doing so, the teams will keep their rookies longer. I could really see Anderson, Montes and Sloan not even getting a sniff this year.