The Seattle Mariners announced on March 21 that top prospect Colt Emerson will start the 2026 baseball season in the Minor Leagues, following a strong showing during Spring Training.
Emerson, who is ranked as the Mariners’ No. 1 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 9 overall, had been considered a key part of the club’s long-term plans but will not be on the Opening Day roster. The decision comes after Emerson posted a .268 batting average with two home runs and eight RBIs over 47 plate appearances in Spring Training.
Despite some speculation about shortstop J.P. Crawford’s readiness for Opening Day due to a sore throwing shoulder, the Mariners said they did not consider Emerson as a temporary replacement. The team indicated that bringing up Emerson for a brief stint could hinder his development, preferring he continue to gain experience at Triple-A Tacoma.
During camp, Emerson played both shortstop and third base, making routine and standout defensive plays across 18 games. He finished last season with Tacoma and participated in their playoff run before joining the Mariners’ taxi squad for the American League Division Series.
The Mariners have not yet finalized Tacoma’s full roster but expect Emerson to play there until he is ready for his Major League debut later in the year. The club has publicly stated that his promotion to the big leagues could happen during the 2026 season.
