The Mariners obviously have a hole in their infield defense. The Seattle Mariners think they’ve got the solution. Enter. Mariners top prospect — an elite defensive third baseman who was recently ranked as the team’s 15th-best prospect by Lookout Landing heading into the 2025 season.
The Mariners have called him up, their 2023 second-round pick out of William & Mary, in hopes that his exceptional glove can help stabilize a shaky infield. Known for his highlight-reel defense at the hot corner, he has long been a favorite of the Lookout Landing staff for his slick fielding and baseball instincts. His glove has always led the way, while his bat—more contact and patience than power—continues to develop. In 124 minor league games last season, he hit just four home runs, with much of his time spent at the notoriously pitcher-friendly Dickey-Stephens Park as a member of the Arkansas Travelers.
But with the Mariners infield depth taking serious hits—Jorge Polanco is currently limited to designated hitter duties, and Ryan Bliss is out long-term with a biceps injury—Seattle has been forced to rely heavily on a rotating cast of Dylan Moore, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Leo Rivas. Bringing up Williamson is an attempt to bring stability to the position. His defense alone raises the floor, providing much-needed consistency at third base. As Lookout Landing humorously noted, “Jorge Polanco ain’t doin’ this,” in reference to one of Ben Williamson’s jaw-dropping defensive plays.
Williamson’s arrival also adds some lineup flexibility as the team embarks on a road trip. His right-handed bat contrasts well with lefty Dominic Canzone, whom the Mariners have since optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma to make room on the roster. Williamson isn’t in the starting lineup just yet, but it’s likely only a matter of time before he sees the field.
At the plate, Williamson has been working closely with the Mariners’ development staff to follow the club’s “up-the-middle” offensive philosophy—focusing on line drives and a balanced spray chart. His approach has shown promise in Tacoma, as he’s become a disciplined, high-contact hitter with a solid understanding of the strike zone. Though he still needs to lift the ball more and reduce groundouts, his patient, grind-it-out plate appearances resemble those of Moore and Rivas—only with a significantly more reliable glove.
Williamson’s path to the majors is also one of grit and growth. A lightly recruited high schooler, he chose William & Mary not for its baseball program but for its academics, enrolling as a business analytics major. Baseball wasn’t his primary plan—until Coach Mike McRae saw his potential and encouraged him to pursue the sport seriously. From that point on, Williamson committed fully, adding muscle, refining his mechanics, and dedicating hours to defensive drills that would make veteran infield coach Perry Hill proud.
The transformation was remarkable. Williamson blossomed into a record-setting collegiate star and a legitimate MLB prospect, eventually landing on the Mariners’ radar thanks to regional scout Ty Holub, known for unearthing hidden gems in the Mid-Atlantic region.
To make room for Williamson on the 40-man roster, the Mariners transferred Ryan Bliss to the 60-day injured list as he recovers from surgery. While Williamson didn’t start in Sunday’s game, his debut seems imminent—and at Lookout Landing, there’s always excitement in the air when a new name steps onto the big league stage.
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