Several Seattle Mariners prospects eligible for Rule 5 Draft

The Seattle Mariners’ have developed one of baseball’s best farm system over the years, but there is a chance that it could take a minor hit or two next month.

Seattle Mariners non-tender 3 players for 2026 season

There are a handful of less-heralded but still notable M’s prospects who are eligible for MLB’s upcoming Rule 5 Draft, which takes place Dec. 10 during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla.

A total of six prospects ranked in the Mariners’ top 30 by MLB Pipeline are eligible to be selected by other teams.

Here’s a look at the notable Mariners prospects who are eligible for selection as well as what to know about the Rule 5 draft.

Eligible M’s prospects

Here are the top-30 Mariners prospects who are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft, plus one former top prospect.

• Michael Morales, RHP
Prospect ranking: 18
Age: 23
2025 stats: 4-7 record, 4.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 70 strikeouts, 37 walks, 101 2/3 innings pitched in 22 starts at Double-A

• Marcelo Perez, RHP
Prospect ranking: 19
Age: 26
2025 stats: 6-6 record, 3.44 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 62 strikeouts, 23 walks, 91 2/3 innings pitched in 19 starts across High-A and Double-A

• Luis Suisbel, 1B/3B
Prospect ranking: 20
Age: 22
2025 stats: .211/.308/.412, 15 doubles, one triple, 23 home runs, 68 RBIs, 48 walks, 135 strikeouts, eight stolen bases in 113 High-A games

• Carlos Jimenez, OF
Prospect ranking: 26
Age: 22
2025 stats: .258/.358/.419, 17 doubles, four triples, 14 home runs, 63 RBIs, 60 walks, 116 strikeouts, 30 stolen bases in 105 Single-A games

• OF Victor Labrada, OF
Prospect ranking: 28
Age: 25
2025 stats: .281/.403/.405, 24 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 52 RBIs, 52 walks, 90 strikeouts, 44 stolen bases in 128 games across Double-A and Triple-A

• Tyler Cleveland, RHP
Prospect ranking: 30
Age: 26
2025 stats: 3-1 record, 0.87 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 50 strikeouts, 17 walks, 51 2/3 innings pitched in 41 appearances across High-A and Double-A

• Taylor Dollard, RHP
Prospect ranking: Unranked
Age: 26
2025 stats: 3-4 record, 4.54 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 54 strikeouts, 17 walks, 69 1/3 innings pitched in 19 appearances (18 starts) across the Arizona Complex League and High-A.

The Mariners don’t have any names on this list that stick as players who seem like locks to get picked up by other organizations, but there are a couple who are decent candidates.

Relievers are typically the most at risk here as teams look for any avenue they can to fill out the last spots in their bullpen or bring depth for competition in spring training. Tyler Cleveland could be an intriguing option for some teams after the dominant season he had in the minors, posting a sub-0.90 ERA in his stops with High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas. The 2022 14th-round pick throws from a low arm angle with a funky delivery, which further adds to the intrigue.

Outfielder Victor Labrada is another name to watch. He’s someone who can at the very least bring a team value with his plus speed while serving as a reserve outfielder capable of playing all three positions.

MLB.com recently noted Michael Morales as the toughest decision the Mariners had on whether or not to protect a player from the Rule 5 Draft, noting the $1.5 million signing bonus he received that was roughly double his slot value as a third-round pick in 2021. For reference, that $1.5 million bonus was nearly $650,000 more than what Cal Raleigh received as a third-rounder in 2018. Morales had a breakout 2024 season while making the climb from High-A to Double-A, but the right-hander started this year on the injured list with elbow inflammation and struggled throughout the season after returning in May. He doesn’t seem likely to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft.

Dollard also gets a mention here since he appeared to be close to the majors just a couple of years ago. After going 16-2 with a 2.25 ERA and winning Texas League pitcher of the year honors with Double-A Arkansas in 2022, the 2020 fifth-round pick began the 2023 campaign in Triple-A. However, he suffered a torn labrum after just three starts and was sidelined for over two years. Dollard returned to action in May and didn’t pitch above the High-A level. So he should be safe, too, but someone could look at his 2022 season as a reason to take an inexpensive, low-risk gamble.

What is the Rule 5 Draft?

The Rule 5 Draft takes place each offseason and gives teams a chance to select eligible players from other organizations.

Players who were signed at 18 years old or younger become eligible for the draft if they have not been added to the 40-man roster within five seasons of signing. Players who singed at 19 years old or older become eligible if they are not on the 40-man roster within four seasons.

The draft order is the reverse order of the previous season’s standings, and teams must have an open spot on their 40-man roster to be eligible to make a selection. Teams also do not have to make any picks.

Any team that picks a player must pay the organization the player was in $100,000.

Players picked are immediately added to a team’s 26-man roster and cannot be removed without being placed on outright waivers. If a player clears waivers, he must be offered back to his previous team for $50,000 and can be outrighted to the minors only if his original club does not wish to reacquire him. However, clubs can make a trade with a Rule 5 pick’s original team for his full rights in order to be able to option the player under normal rules.

If a player spends less than 90 days on a team’s roster due to injury, the same roster restrictions apply the following season.

Clubs can trade a player selected in the Rule 5 Draft, but the same restrictions apply to the player’s new organization.

In last year’s draft, a total of 15 players were selected by 14 teams, including White Sox All-Star pitcher Shane Smith.

Several Seattle Mariners prospects eligible for Rule 5 Draft

Tags: