Mariners' Spring Cuts Offer Sobering Reminder for Lazaro Montes

Mariners prospect Lazaro Montes fails to make big impression in spring training, but long-term outlook remains bright.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:07am

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The Seattle Mariners made another round of spring roster cuts on March 11, optioning or reassigning several players, including top prospect Lazaro Montes. While the cuts were not surprising, Montes' inclusion serves as a sobering reminder that he still has work to do before reaching the major leagues, despite being one of the organization's top young talents.

Why it matters

Montes was expected to make a strong impression this spring, but his underwhelming performance has tempered expectations for an immediate MLB debut. The Mariners remain high on Montes' long-term potential, but this move reinforces the need for patience as he continues to develop at the upper levels of the minors.

The details

In 25 Cactus League at-bats, Montes hit just .160 with a .432 OPS, no home runs, one RBI, and no stolen bases. While he did have a few positive moments, including a two-hit game and a hustle double, it was not enough to force the Mariners to consider accelerating his timeline to the majors. The Mariners are still excited about Montes' future, as he is ranked as their fourth-best prospect and has the best raw power in the system, but this spring's performance was a reminder that he still needs more time to refine his game at the upper minors level.

  • The Mariners made the roster cuts on March 11, 2026.
  • Montes is 21 years old and is coming off a 2025 season where he hit 32 home runs while moving across High-A and Double-A.

The players

Lazaro Montes

A top prospect in the Mariners' system, ranked No. 4 by MLB Pipeline, with an expected MLB debut of 2027 and the best raw power in the organization.

Randy Arozarena

A Mariners outfielder who is under club control through the 2026 season.

Victor Robles

A Mariners outfielder who has a club option for the 2027 season.

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What’s next

Montes will return to Double-A Arkansas to continue developing his game and work towards a potential 2027 MLB debut with the Mariners.

The takeaway

While Montes' spring performance was underwhelming, the Mariners remain high on his long-term potential as one of their top prospects. This move serves as a reminder that the organization is taking a patient approach with his development, prioritizing his continued growth at the upper minors level before considering a promotion to the major leagues.