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After a dominant 2025 season across two separate levels, Tyler Cleveland joins our Mariner prospect ranks at #15 this season. Given a boost thanks to recent departures from the system, Cleveland represents the last of the true relief types on our list and carries some of the highest floor of any prospect in the back half of these rankings, though naturally comes with a somewhat limited ceiling. A consistent performer through pure funk, Cleveland should be one of the more interesting arms to monitor in Tacoma’s bullpen this season.
Destroying both High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas last season, the 26 year old submariner out of Central Arkansas worked to a season ERA of 0.87 over 51.2 IP, an obviously outstanding mark that is perhaps buoyed slightly due to his advanced age considering his level. Though his strikeout numbers aren’t out of this world, his 25.5% K% and 8.7% walk rate reflect a more than capable pitcher, especially given his submarine, soft-contact oriented approach on the mound.
The arsenal metrics don’t jump off the page, but everything with Cleveland requires context given how unique he is in his operation. Primarily using a three-pitch mix, the sinker typically tops out around 90 mph (I’ve seen the stadium scoreboard clock it as low as 86 at times), but the pitch gets good two-plane run and pairs well with his slow, sweeping slider that gets massive break gloveside. His final offering, a changeup, mirrors the fastball movement profile well and serves as a more than acceptable third offering he can use against lefties.
Cleveland is clearly not the flashiest prospect in the system and is likely limited to a middle-relief ceiling if everything works for him at the major league level, but it’s impossible to argue with his production as a professional thus far. In an age of 100 mph fastballs and sliders in the mid 90’s, perhaps Tyler Cleveland can be the change of pace the Mariner bullpen needs. Should he break through and debut in the big leagues this season, he’ll likely throw the best (only?) 87 mph heater you’ll see all season.