Emily Klesick details six stories that are emerging from the first week of Mariners camp, including pitchers to watch, prospects to follow, and unexpected players who are vying for roster spots.
After months of waiting, we finally have Mariners baseball back. On Friday, the day of the Mariners’ first spring training game, social media was abuzz with excitement for the return, along with fans’ biggest hopes for the season and players to watch. At 12:05, we were collectively watching the first moments of our team together in 2026.
As this first week of spring training has carried on, there have been many incredible storylines to watch as players give their best effort on the field and either vie for a spot on the opening day roster or show what they’ve got for the future. Even the least sentimental among us can’t help but feel pride for these guys who are giving everything they’ve got out there.
As we continue into the rest of spring training, let’s talk about some of the names and storylines to watch as the Cactus League plays on, in no particular order.
Emerson Hancock’s Future
Emerson Hancock started on the mound for game two of the spring and had an outing that was both surprising and exciting for all of us. Having spent time most of his time as a starter, but with a handful of bullpen appearances in the postseason with the M’s in 2025, many wondered what Hancock’s position would be coming into 2026. After losing Logan Evans to Tommy John surgery in January, the future for Hancock’s season became a lot clearer: the Mariners needed depth. Unsurprisingly, the M’s chose to run him out as the starter for game two. Over 1.2 innings, Hancock struck out four of the batters he faced. And while he is credited with three earned runs after a hit by pitch, a double, and a walk in the second inning before he was pulled, his velocity looked solid with fastballs touching 96-97 miles per hour and a significant amount of swing-and-miss. That said, with the Mariners also acquiring Dane Dunning and Cooper Criswell in the offseason, it remains to be seen how the M’s plan to utilize some of these long reliever/depth starter options, and much of that depends on how the rest of spring training plays out.
A First Look at Cooper Criswell
Along the same lines as Hancock, we got to see Cooper Criswell for the first time this season in game one against the Padres. Criswell had an outing that was both impressive and fascinating, as he showcased his offspeed pitch arsenal and managed to strike out two of San Diego’s most notorious hitters: Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado. So what does this mean for Criswell in terms of the Mariners’ roster? Like Hancock, he also could slot into either a long reliever or depth starter role, depending on what the Mariners need. It’s also worth noting that Criswell’s future with the Mariners includes the reality that he is out of minor league options, so he either needs to be carried onto the major league roster after spring training or designated for assignment. For a more in-depth look at the different factors at play for Criswell, I’d recommend this article from Brady Farkas of Mariners Roundtable.
The Plan for Cole Young
The Mariners’ second-base plan has had a bit of a question mark hanging over it this offseason. Cole Young, who was called up in May of the 2025 season, has been the main option for second base, especially after Jorge Polanco headed to the Mets in free agency. That said, there have been a lot of questions on whether Young is ready to be the primary second baseman. We saw some incredible things from Cole in his first year with the big leagues, but he still showed signs of his age over the 77 games he played. That said, the overall consensus about Cole’s development over the offseason has been positive, with coaches detailing how hard he worked to arrive in camp ready and prepared. Last week, news broke that when the Mariners were in talks with the Diamondbacks earlier in the offseason about a potential reunion with the all-star second baseman Ketel Marte, the talks never went any further because the M’s weren’t willing to include Young in any trade packages. With the addition of Brendan Donovan and Ben Williamson being traded away, all signs point to Cole being the everyday second baseman, at least until Colt Emerson knocks down the door to The Show and is ready for a roster spot (but that’s a conversation for later). Unfortunately, Cole’s start to spring training hasn’t been the most positive to discuss, as he’s gone 0-8 with six strikeouts. That being said, there are still several weeks of Cactus League left for him to show us what he’s got.
What’s Next for Miles Mastrobuoni?
While a good problem to have, the Mariners have a plethora of players competing for the more uncertain roster spots. Miles Mastrobuoni, who was acquired from the Cubs in January 2025, made significant contributions to the team early in last season before being sent down to triple-A off and on in the summer and then added to the roster for the postseason. Now, at the start of spring training in 2026, Miles is out of minor league options and knows that he is unlikely to make the roster with other players like Colt Emerson, Cole Young, and Leo Rivas also vying for spots. That said, after Miles’ grand slam in the first inning of the M’s game two against the Giants, as well as several other strong offensive moments, he’s making a case for himself to be on the roster as a utility option.
Who Will Be the Opening Day Starter?
One question that people seem to be asking a lot right now is who our starting pitcher for the Mariners’ home opener will be. The two main contenders across the board are Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo. Honestly, there’s a solid case to be made for either of these guys. Gilbert has been a huge part of the Mariners’ rotation since his debut in 2021, with elite numbers across his tenure and appearances in two postseasons. Woo, on the other hand, is coming off a season that earned him fifth-place in the Cy Young voting, going 15-7 with a 2.98 ERA and the most consecutive starts going six innings or more in franchise history. And while Woo had an elite season and has certainly earned a bid for the opening day slot, there is another factor to consider: the Mariners are likely hoping to lock down an extension with Gilbert sometime in the near future, and giving him the ball on opening day could help continue to establish goodwill. The question will be what the Mariners are hoping to prioritize at the start of the 2026 season, but regardless, you can’t go wrong with either option.
Brennen Davis: The Hitting Machine
Perhaps one of the most surprising (and most fun) storylines to come out of spring training so far has been Brennen Davis. Davis, who has spent time over the last eight years within the minor leagues of the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees, was signed to a minor league deal by the Mariners in December with a promised invite to spring training. Davis has made four appearances in the Cactus League thus far and has reached base safely in every at-bat but two. In his appearance in the M’s game versus the Reds on Sunday, Davis had two walks and a 3-run home run. In his one plate appearance in Monday’s game against the Dodgers, he had a pop-out, but then in Wednesday’s game against the Royals, he went 3-for-3 with a home run and two doubles. The reality is that with a stack of outfielders already planning to platoon come Opening Day, the likelihood of Davis making the roster is minimal. That said, if he keeps hitting like this, there might end up being some conversations behind the scenes. You can’t show up to camp hitting like that and not turn some heads.
As we head into week two, these are some things to keep an eye on. And, as many players head out for the World Baseball Classic, many of the minor league guys are going to get more opportunities to play. Let us know who you are most excited to keep your eyes on!
