Colt Emerson

He could miss about a month after fouling a ball off the foot. Emerson, a first-round pick last year, is one of the most talented prospects in the minors. He’s hit .271/.441/.414 in 19 games as an 18-year-old in full-season ball.

Emerson has been on the shelf since April 17 due to an oblique injury, but appears poised to return this weekend, according to Mariners general manager Justin Hollander. The 18-year-old shortstop is rapidly evolving into one of the top prospects in baseball, batting .318 (7-for-22) with two homers and one steal in five games this season. He batted .374 (34-for-91) with two homers and eight steals in 24 games last year after being selected 22nd overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. He’s a certifiable dude.

Emerson’s stock has exploded in long-term keeper and dynasty league formats after batting .374/.496/.550 with two homers and eight steals last year in his professional debut between the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Single-A Modesto. The 18-year-old shortstop was selected 22nd overall last June in the 2023 MLB Draft and appears to be on the fast track to the upper minors. There’s a chance he’s a top-10 overall prospect in baseball by the end of the 2024 campaign.