Seattle Mariners' Tyler Locklear Maintains Status as Top 10 Prospect

The Seattle Mariners farm system is likely to remain one of the best in baseball at least through 2025.

The Mariners minor leaguers boasted eight top 100 prospects according to Baseball America (the most in the majors) and five in MLB Pipeline's top 100 list.

The top 100 list, like every season, is likely to undergo some changes as new prospects emerge and older prospects get their opportunities in the major leagues.

But Seattle's farm system is one likely to undergo minimal changes.

Baseball America released their latest Mariners top 10 prospects list. And of the prospects included, middle infielder Cole Young (No. 2 prospect) and starting pitcher Logan Evans (No. 8 prospect) are the rumored to be the only ones that factor into the organization's long-term plans.

That is, aside from one top 10 prospect that's already had some appearances in the majors.

First baseman Tyler Locklear was listed as the No. 10 Seattle prospect in Baseball America's latest rankings. He's the only player listed in the updated top 10 that's already played in the majors. The publication had the following scouting report on the former Virginia Commonwealth product:

Locklear’s meal ticket is his bat. He can get swing-happy at the plate and is prone to expanding the zone, but he still maintained strong walk rates in the minor leagues because pitchers were scared out of the zone against him. It remains to be seen how his walk rate will translate to the majors. There is also some whiff in his bat. However, Locklear consistently hits the ball hard, both on a line and in the air. He has the chance for above-average hit and power tools at peak. He’s a below-average runner, but he’s not a base-clogger. He will even steal the occasional base on an unsuspecting pitcher. Locklear came into pro ball as a third baseman, but he has since transitioned to first base full time. He shows solid natural feel at picking throws out of the dirt, while his range in the field and mobility around the bag are more fringy.

Locklear played 16 game with the major league club compared to 111 games with the Mariners' Double-A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers, and Triple-A team, the Tacoma Rainiers.

While in the majors, Locklear hit .156 with two home runs and three RBIs. In the minors, Locklear batted .272 with 16 homers and 67 RBIs.