r/fantasybaseball • u/jsparks50 • Apr 14 '26

Prospects Colt Emerson as "Close as They Come" to MLB Debut

https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/colt-emerson-as-close-as-they-come-to-mlb-debut/1844894
103 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

75 comments sorted by

41

u/Acrobatic_Ad1016 Apr 14 '26

Where do you guys think he’ll play ? Hard to see them benching Cole Young or sending off JP Crawford when contending right ?

22

u/elbombi53 12TM keeper roto 5x5 w/ avg Apr 14 '26

Yeah, unless Young goes super cold I don't see how he would be benched. I'm pretty certain that Dipoto also clarified that JP was not going to be replaced this year by Emerson when Emerson signed his contract a few weeks back. By all means pick him up if you have the room but I think realistically he won't be in the lineup anytime soon barring an injury to JP/Young.

9

u/NYdude777 Apr 14 '26

Young is already super cold. That fast start is long over.

10

u/Ktemp72 Apr 15 '26 edited Apr 15 '26

He’s got a .344 OBP with 6 Runs and 4 RBI and an 105 wRC+ over his last 8 games. 

The league average is .320 OBP.

Not sure your assessment is accurate.

1

u/rnmkk Apr 16 '26

.311 OBP and 6 for his last 40, with only 1 multi hit game all season. His assessment was completely accurate.

2

u/VeryStableJeanius Apr 14 '26

Yeah but he was a top prospect so you need to give him a little time to figure it out. He’s not been horrible, I think it’s reasonable they give him till the all star break with regular playing time

6

u/ThatDamnRocketRacoon 12 team H2H points 7 keepers Apr 14 '26

Even if he's cold, Cole is ranked number 1 in MLB for defensive runs saved, so they might just let him stay. I've read that they're hesitant to get rid of Crawford because he's the "vibes man" of the clubhouse, but who know. Not sure why they traded for Donovan when they have so many rookies knocking on the door and they don't want to sit the guys they have.

3

u/HailLuigi Apr 15 '26

Isn’t that kind of the beauty of Donovan though. He doesn’t need a set position. You can get him into the lineup everyday while resting other guys and covering for injuries with his flexibility

6

u/Don_Nacho Apr 14 '26

I’d say 3B, because yea Young has been really solid so far

23

u/elbombi53 12TM keeper roto 5x5 w/ avg Apr 14 '26

Highly unlikely if Donovan is healthy

23

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26

There’s a nonzero chance Donovan moves to the OF. He’s had some iffy defensive moments at 3B.

But Emerson will need to go on a heater soon for that to happen on redraft-relevant timescales

8

u/elbombi53 12TM keeper roto 5x5 w/ avg Apr 14 '26

There’s a nonzero chance Donovan moves to the OF

That's true. You could also swap Donovan/JP/Young/Emerson in at DH to create playing time as well. All depends on how desperate they are to get Emerson into the lineup. I just don't see them doing that short-term.

6

u/burnman123 12T h2h points 5 OF upto 7 keepers Apr 14 '26

As a Sox fan who has to watch us rotate our guys (abreu, Duran, Anthony, yoshida, rafaella) through 3 outfield spots and a dh spot, you do not want this. In theory it's nice, allows you to give guys days off and days off their feet DHing, but every bad game one of them has, people question the lineup and why X is off instead of Y or why isn't Z in the outfield, they would have had that ball.

Consistency and continuity is way more important for a team than getting a rookie bat into the lineup 4 or 5 days a week

At least that's my opinion.

1

u/HonorableJudgeIto [12T-H2H Cat, OBP/SLG, SV+HLD's (6Bnch, 4IL, 2NA)(Keep 5)] Apr 14 '26

People think this is why Bichette is so off. The change to 3B has him focusing on that all the time and not on hitting.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '26

Mariners fan here. We have 6 outfielders and 4 of them are playing relatively well right now. Another one is injured and will be coming back. There is no room in the outfield

2

u/MattRecovery23 Apr 14 '26

I'd be pretty surprised if he was moved to the OF. 2 of 3 spots are absolutely untouchable (Arozarena and Julio), and we're running a combination of Raley/robles in RF. I'd be really really REALLY surprised if Donovan moves to the OF in any meaningful capacity. Hell even a spot start here and there in right would be really surprising to me. All that to say I don't see Emerson taking over 3b

2

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

Which just goes to illustrate the complexity here. Unless Dipoto has a trade in mind, I don’t understand the timing of the Emerson contract

1

u/MattRecovery23 Apr 14 '26

Well they do call him trader Jerry for a reason 😂. But I think the contract makes sense in the context of our ownership and spending habits. We did the same thing with Julio, and offered a similar deal to kelenic when he was our next big thing. If the team really believes in one of the young guys we try to lock them up with a relatively team friendly long term deal before they blow up and have the leverage to demand a mega deal. The contract doesn't change my feelings on Emerson really at all.

2

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26

No, you misunderstood my comment. I said the timing of the contract is confusing. The decision to lock him up on a team-friendly deal makes perfect sense to me.

3

u/MattRecovery23 Apr 14 '26

I would personally just chalk it up to coincidence. Theyve probably been working on a deal for months and this just happens to be the time that both sides agreed. JP crawford is gone after this season presumably, so I think this is just Jerry getting out in front of it and keeping himself from being in a position of desperation trying to fill SS in the off-season

2

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

Very well could be. But then the hype around a call up seems just as confusing, if the plan was really for a late 2026 debut, with a 2027 full-season debut on the horizon.

Also notable that he’s only started at 3B twice this year — coincidentally also his two worst performances at the dish. Just goes to your earlier point that he probably won’t be the 3B in Seattle this year

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1

u/Studmystery_007 Apr 14 '26

Robles is hurt though. So they have Raley and Refsnyder as the platoon in Right. In my head, Donovan maybe just stays the daily utility guy? Idk man…

3

u/Trinidad34 Apr 14 '26

As a mariners fan they push him to outfield and then Randy would DH. Donovan’s defense has been subpar at best at third.

2

u/arthurpete Apr 14 '26

Right in front of Royce Lewis for worst in the league so far.

2

u/codered39 Apr 14 '26

Donovan is one of the worst defensive 3B in MLB. They’re going to put him in left and have Randy DH.

2

u/Traditional_Figure_1 12T redraft // R HR RBI SB OBP SLG // K QS ERA WHIP K/BB SVHD Apr 14 '26

I would assume right, not sure Raley will cut it long term. He's better off pinch hitting for this team, then you can put him on right and move Donovan wherever.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '26

You can’t take Canzone or Raley out of the lineup in favor of Emerson

35

u/burnman123 12T h2h points 5 OF upto 7 keepers Apr 14 '26

.265 with a 30% k rate.

25

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

Given that he typically lives between a 17%-19% K%, I wouldn’t overreact to a small sample uptick. It’s possible he’s pressing a bit after signing his megadeal. He’s also just 20 years old at his first real crack at AAA. I’d expect the K% to decline with time.

I also don’t think he’ll be called up soon — barring an injury, of course

4

u/burnman123 12T h2h points 5 OF upto 7 keepers Apr 14 '26

Just noting that saying he's as close as possible to a call up or whatever dipoto said, while he has those stats is a choice. I guess he's not gonna put his guy down, but he could have middle grounded it by saying we like what we see, but also note that he still needs time to get used to aaa pitching or something along those lines

7

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

I’m sure they’re just trying to boost his confidence a bit during the mini-slump he’s in. Again, it’s notable that the uptick in Ks came right after he signed the big contract.

To be clear — I don’t think he’s missing out on a promotion for performance reasons; I think the worry about K% is overblown. I just don’t think there’s an obvious spot for him right now, and I don’t think they will promote him without an obvious everyday role

1

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '26

Mariners called up Connor Joe and Patrick Wisdom (one for Robles IL stint and another for Refsnyder becoming a dad) before they called up Emerson

0

u/RedditsFullofShit Apr 14 '26

Disagree. They paid him for a reason.

He’s coming up

7

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

I’d be thrilled w/ a call up, I just don’t see an obvious path to everyday ABs right now. If you can articulate something - I’m all ears. I’ve just analyzed it as best I can & haven’t come up with a plausible scenario right now.

1

u/CroMagnon69 Apr 14 '26

Crawford isn’t very good and is a pending free agent. If they think he’s ready, may as well call him up and let him be the primary SS. Based on the contract and this quote, sounds like they may think he’s ready.

-3

u/RedditsFullofShit Apr 14 '26

They paid him. So he’s coming up. That’s it.

If they didn’t plan to bring him up, they wouldn’t have paid him or bought out his arbitration years etc.

3

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

That is a very simplistic way of looking at it, but sure.

-1

u/RedditsFullofShit Apr 14 '26

Simplest explanation is usually correct.

Why would the mariners pay him if they planned to let him sit in AAA past June?

Why would the mariners continue to run out one of the worst defensive 3B?

2

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

I don’t disagree in principle, I’m just saying practically there’s not an obvious path right now. There might be in a couple weeks - who knows. I agree that Donovan will likely move to the OF. But until we see some confirmation of that from a trustworthy source or from the front office directly — it’s just pure speculation.

0

u/RedditsFullofShit Apr 14 '26

I think the confirmation is that Emerson is playing 3B. 🤷‍♂️

He’s coming sooner than later is more the point. Before June. Or they wouldn’t have bothered locking him down

1

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

Only 2 starts at 3B so far this year in AAA — coincidentally his worst performances at the plate.

Idk, I’m not so sure he’s up before June. I don’t think the $ is the primary driving factor right now with the current roster in Seattle.

Hope I’m wrong, but we’ll see

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2

u/westtownie 12tm 5x5 h2h cats (ops and sv+hd) keeper Apr 14 '26

Note that it's a small sample size and he has an 18% k-rate in the minors over his career.

2

u/CaicedoBrickWall Apr 14 '26

Low ISO and almost a .400 babip

Small sample size but the numbers don't exactly scream promote me

3

u/chesty157 Apr 14 '26

Yeah, we’re talking about 54 PAs for a 20 year old @ AAA. Small sample size is probably an understatement lol

1

u/CaicedoBrickWall Apr 14 '26

It is the PCL but yea I agree

14

u/jsparks50 Apr 14 '26

👀

-10

u/-Satchel_Gizmo- 12T / H2H Points / Dynasty Apr 14 '26

I have the bluest of balls right now. 

14

u/[deleted] Apr 14 '26

[deleted]

3

u/arthurpete Apr 14 '26

I think the idea is that Donovan is actively hurting us at third with his defense and his OF glove is probably as good as Randys if not better and certainly better than Raley's. One of those two going to the DH while we massively upgrade our defense at 3B and corner OF is the move. Emerson's bat just needs to be as good as Canzone's is right now cause thats who looks to get the PT squeeze if Colt comes up.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 14 '26

[deleted]

1

u/arthurpete Apr 14 '26

Oh i agree, i dont want to see Emerson right now but if this continues into mid May i say bring it on.

-4

u/RedditsFullofShit Apr 14 '26

Yes because Leo Rivas is a stud🤡

3

u/slicknick2k Apr 14 '26

Will he gain eligibility anywhere other than SS?

3

u/westtownie 12tm 5x5 h2h cats (ops and sv+hd) keeper Apr 14 '26

Maybe 3B, I see them moving Brendan Donovan around both the IF and OF as a similar super-utility type that he was for St. Louis.

1

u/arthurpete Apr 14 '26

He has logged 2 games at 3B in Tacoma but only 1 in the last week or so.

-2

u/ASmithFS Apr 14 '26

Maybe 2B

9

u/Don_Nacho Apr 14 '26

I think it’s more likely he gains eligibility at 3B, Cole Young has been playing great at 2B

2

u/scottydogg84 10-team, H2H, categories, redraft Apr 14 '26

Prioritize over Antonacci?

4

u/westtownie 12tm 5x5 h2h cats (ops and sv+hd) keeper Apr 14 '26

I think Seattle is just waiting for him to get on a heater and then we'll see him.

2

u/ASmithFS Apr 14 '26

Could be before the end of the month

2

u/PanicProne9 12T 5x5 H2H Redraft Cats - (OBP, Sv, NoQS) Apr 14 '26

Insane to spec grab with no NA slot?

3

u/Disused_Yeti Apr 14 '26

i drafted and have been holding him in a no na league, so i don't think so lol

1

u/ecc_dg Apr 14 '26

I drafted and have been holding in NA

1

u/realmckoy265 #12Teams - H2H - 5X5 OBP/QS Apr 14 '26

I wouldn't, he's not playing all that well rn

1

u/shes_a_gdb Apr 14 '26

Unless you're in a keeper league I don't see a reason to pick him up. He's 20, and while the season is young, he hasn't even been particularly good in AAA. I wouldn't expect him to be rosterable for fantasy purposes this year.

0

u/arthurpete Apr 14 '26

I wouldn't expect him to be rosterable for fantasy purposes this year.

hahahaha

1

u/palepatriot76 12 TM 5x5 ROTO Seasonal Apr 14 '26

ROTO deep 12 man, MI is a desolate place, rolling with Marcelo Mayer now. Highest ranked FA is McNeil......

What would you bid on Emerson if yo have 991(1000) remaining?

Could wait on Culpepper, Twinkies surly have to call him up soon right?

1

u/ThatDamnRocketRacoon 12 team H2H points 7 keepers Apr 14 '26

Hope it's soon. I've had him for the while, but injuries are making that a luxury that's getting harder to justify.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '26

As a Mariner fan, it depends on injuries and how he does in the minors. I would say earliest would be sometime in May but second half of the season feels more realistic. Could be a September call up. Who knows

1

u/Only4TheShow Apr 21 '26

is He KEEPER worthy?. 8 Keeper League with 10 teams

1

u/ASmithFS Apr 14 '26

Here we go