Seattle Mariners’ top prospect meets high expectations in first full professional season

EVERETT, Wash. — High expectations can be either the greatest impetus or the heaviest anchor.

On the one hand, having expectations is encouraging. It’s a sign that people believe in you and your potential. On the other hand, carrying their weight can be difficult.

For Seattle Mariners number one prospect Colt Emerson, that’s no problem.

Emerson is just 19 years old and was selected in the first round by the Mariners in the 2023 MLB Draft. He is rated as the 29th overall prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline, making him one of the most highly regarded prospects across the entire minor league spectrum.

On August 5, Emerson was promoted to the Everett AquaSox, the High-A affiliate. He played for the strong Modesto Low-A team.

The fact that he spent less than two full years in the minor leagues is already an accomplishment. But Emerson isn’t particularly concerned about his rankings.

“I really don’t worry about what anybody else (outside the organization) thinks,” Emerson said before Everett’s season finale against the Spokane Indians on Sunday. “I have my own thing that I’m doing. And I know that if I’m going to be myself, nothing else matters. And I’m going to do what I’m going to do and I’m going to be successful. So that’s all I really care about.”

Learning to block out outside noise has helped Emerson continue to improve and grow as a player, and it has likely helped him through his injury woes this season.

Emerson has only played in 70 games this season (including Sunday’s season finale) due to a variety of injuries. The fact that Emerson (hitting .260 this season with four home runs and 37 RBIs) has managed to develop despite missing so much time is impressive. But Emerson believes the injuries may have helped him.

Emerson learned a lot about his body, his routine and his recovery from breaking his foot, important lessons for a player who is just learning how to be a professional baseball player.

“The injury, I think, helps the learning process. It just slows everything down,” Emerson said. “I had a boot for three weeks. So I didn’t run for three weeks. You had to relearn how to do things and relearn things or learn new things. It’s just a weird, crazy process. And I’m just grateful that it happened.”

Emerson is also grateful to have been able to go through the development process with two other top prospects, Laz Montes and Michael Arroyo, who are also in Everett.

“It’s really amazing,” Emerson said. “I’m really grateful for the time I get to spend with these guys and play with them. It’s really great that I’m not the only teenager in the band. You have themes that you can relate to. And with the whole band, I’m just grateful for the time I get to spend with them.”

Emerson has risen quickly through Seattle’s farm system since being drafted in the first round in 2023. And he’s done nothing but prove he belongs there, no matter what level he’s been at.

And as the season comes to a close and Emerson enters the offseason with a greater understanding of the development process, it doesn’t look like that trend will change anytime soon.

“It’s about taking things one day at a time,” Emerson said. “If you’re worried about the past (or) the future, you’re not going to be as good as you can be. And you’re going to get stuck somewhere else, not where your feet are. So, growing one day at a time is key.”

FORMER DUCK IMPRESSES IN DEBUT WITH MODESTO: Seattle Mariners 2024 draft pick Brock Moore made an impressive debut Friday for the team’s Low-A affiliate, Modesto Nuts. CLICK HERE

MARINERS 2024 DRAFT SELECTION IMPRESSES IN PROFESSIONAL DEBUT: The Seattle Mariners assigned 2024 draft pick right-handed pitcher Will Riley to the Modesto Nuts, the organization’s Low-A affiliate; Riley pitched a perfect inning in his debut. CLICK HERE

MARINERS PROSPECT RECEIVES WEEKLY HONOR: Seattle Mariners prospect Cole Young was named weekly player of the week for his successful run with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. CLICK HERE

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