Wednesday, March 12

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Spring Breakout is back this year after its debut last season. The Mariners’ prospects play Friday against the Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark.

Here’s everything to know about the event that will put many of Seattle’s Top 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline on center stage.

How to watch
MLB.TV, MLB.com, MLB App, MLB Network, CLEG, CleGuardians.com, RSNW, KIRO, Gameday

Hitter to watch: INF Colt Emerson (Mariners’ No. 1 prospect)
This could be the final act of what has been a standout spring for the 2023 first-round Draft pick, as Emerson is expected to be reassigned to Minors camp soon. If so, he’ll have left a strong first impression, after hitting a 112 mph homer, winning a 14-pitch plate appearance against a former All-Star and making a few flashy plays in the field. It’s not just Mariners manager Dan Wilson and director of hitting strategy Edgar Martinez who have been impressed with the 19-year-old, but also his peers in the big league clubhouse.

Pitcher to watch: RHP/LHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (No. 9)
A case could be made that Cijntje might be the most fascinating player across all of Spring Breakout, especially if he pitches with both arms on Friday. Seattle’s first-round pick last summer has been up to 97 mph from his right side and 93 mph from the left, creating a stir within an organization that has a long track record for successfully developing homegrown pitchers.

Matchup to watch: Mariners pitchers vs. Guardians’ INF Travis Bazzana
Bazzana was drafted by Cleveland on the same day as Cijntje but all the way up at No. 1 overall, and he’s already Pipeline’s No. 10 overall prospect. Like Emerson, Bazzana is an infielder with a smooth left-handed swing and sound plate discipline. Also like Emerson, as Pipeline notes, his exceptional bat-to-ball skills overshadow his plus raw power, and he gets to most of it while displaying the ability to drive the ball out of the park to the opposite field.

What else to watch: Tools from the rest of the Mariners prospects
RHP Ryan Sloan’s (No. 8) arm: Cijntje generated more buzz in last year’s Draft, but Sloan has been touted with as much -- if not more -- upside, after being taken in the second round and signing for well over slot value, at $3 million. Because he was a high-school selection, the right-hander didn’t pitch in the pros last season, making the Breakout event one of his first on a prominent stage.

OF Lazaro Montes’ (No. 2) power: He has crushed two huge homers in big league camp to put further backing to his reputation as one of the best Minor League power hitters. His big personality has shone, too, which suggests that Spring Breakout should be another stage for him.

INF Felnin Celesten’s (No. 5) athleticism: After missing most of the 2023 season with a hamstring strain, he hit .352 with a .999 OPS in 32 games in the Dominican Summer League last season. His switch-hit ability and plus fielding tool at shortstop have some suggesting he could climb near the top of Pipeline’s Top 100 by the time he nears the Majors.

INF/OF Tai Peete’s (No. 12) speed: Brought up as an infielder, Peete wound up playing 24 games in the outfield last season, and he has the skillset to suggest he can stick there, particularly with a 60-grade run tool, per Pipeline. All four of his appearances in Cactus League games this spring have been in center field.

The Mariners remain mum on who will take the mound for their regular-season opener on March 27 against the Athletics at T-Mobile Park, but they appear to be nearing a decision. 

“Soon,” Wilson said three or four times on Monday morning when reporters jokingly danced at and around the question again.

With an off-day on March 4 and George Kirby being shut down with right shoulder inflammation on Friday, the Mariners were still able to keep their rotation on turn -- and operate with an extra day’s rest for each of their starting five, with Emerson Hancock presumably taking Kirby’s spot once the season starts.

Bryce Miller will remain on that schedule by pitching in a Minor League spring game during today’s off-day, then Bryan Woo will follow on Wednesday. The Mariners have not announced probables beyond that, though Hancock would be in line to start Thursday.

They then could switch Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo, who have been lining up as the Nos. 1 and 2, while shifting Castillo to standard rest. There’s also off-days on March 20 (in Arizona) and from March 25-26 (after they depart to Seattle) to work around if they want to wait and flip them.

As has been clear from the outset, Opening Day is a two-man consideration between Gilbert and Castillo, and the schedule allows the team to hold off on a decision.

• Andrés Muñoz’s new kick-changeup has been the talk of camp, and he’s now testing it in games. Read more >>

• Revisiting the Mariners’ Opening Day roster projection. Read more >>

• Top prospects Emerson and Harry Ford (No. 4) hit massive homers over the weekend, which stood out in so many ways. Read more >>

Season Ticket Memberships

Baseball will be back soon at T-Mobile Park, and now’s a great time to check out all the perks of becoming a member! Come on board to unlock access to exclusive presales, year-round discounts, ticket flexibility with no fees and more. Learn more >>

Opening Day tickets

Don’t miss one of the biggest events of the season at T-Mobile Park! As part of the Opening Day festivities on March 27, Cooperstown’s newest Hall of Famer Ichiro will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch as the Mariners take on the A’s. Buy tickets >>

Promotions on deck

The Mariners have a great slate of promotions during the first homestand! Don’t miss your chance to score a Randy Arozarena Crossed-Arm Hoodie, Hello Kitty Bucket Hat and Julio “Bat Flip” Bobblehead. Buy tickets >>

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