Mariners announce minor league awards for June, plus minor league injury updates

Michael Arroyo and Walter Ford honored as Pitcher and Hitter of the month for the Mariners minor-league system

With June coming to a close, the Mariners announced their minor-league award winners for the month. They are:

• INF Michael Arroyo (A+/AA), Hitter of the Month
• RHP Walter Ford (A), Pitcher of the Month
• RHP Tyler Cleveland (A+), Reliever of the Month
• INF/OF Blake Rambusch (AA), Baserunner of the Month
• C Nick Raposo (AAA), Defensive Player of the Month

This is a nice win for Arroyo, who was left off the Futures Game roster despite a strong first half where he ran neck-and-neck in wRC+ with fellow prospect Lazaro Montes, who was elected to the Futures Game. Arroyo trailed the titanic Montes in slugging percentage, but bested him in OBP thanks to a slightly more selective approach at the plate. The two have taken their talents to Arkansas, where each have already recorded their first homers in just six games played. Justice for Michael Arroyo, we say.

Speaking of redemption arcs, Walter Ford—aka “The Vanilla Missile”—earns his first Player of the Month honors. It’s been a slower climb for the Mariners’ 2022 Competitive Balance pick; unsurprising, as high school pitchers are well-known to be the riskiest demographics in the draft. After scuffling at his first taste of full-season ball at Modesto in 2024, Ford, still just 20 years old, has rebounded this season, reining in his command and getting deeper into games, finally crossing the seven inning mark. He’s been stacking strong start after strong start and looks to have found his identity on the mound as a pro.

Tyler Cleveland earned Reliever of the Month honors after allowing no runs in eight appearances with Everett this June while striking out 16 and walking none—which is key for the funky righty, as command has been the thing that’s held him back. At 25, he’s a touch old for the level, so hopefully will be able to earn a promotion to Double-A soon. When he’s hitting his spots, he’s truly an uncomfortable-looking at-bat.

The Mariners also recognized Blake Rambusch, who went 10-for-10 for steals with Arkansas in June in addition to a strong month at the plate. Defensively, catcher Nick Raposo was honored for his .991 fielding percentage; he caught seven attempted base-stealers in 14 starts at catcher this month.

Justin Hollander also provided some minor-league injury updates when he met with the media this past homestand.

• RHP Christian Little (A), who was off to an exhilarating start this season, unfortunately has a bone spur on the back of his elbow, similar to what Bryce Miller is experiencing. Like Bryce, Little has had a PRP injection and is shut down for the time being; the team anticipates a mid-August return for him.
• OF Jonny Farmelo (A+) continues to rehab from his oblique injury in Arizona. He’s still not 100%, but is “getting closer,” per Hollander.
• OF Cade Marlowe (AAA) is ahead of schedule in recovering from his back injury; the team anticipates his activation around the All-Star Break.
• INF Brock Rodden (AA) is close to recovery from his oblique strain and the team is targeting a similar timeline to return for him as Marlowe.
• OF Jared Sundstrom (AA) is back to the field after suffering what Hollander would only call “a collision with a broomstick.” He’s full go with no limitations and ready to build on a strong first half in Arkansas.
• An encouraging non-update: pitchers Teddy McGraw and Taylor Dollard, two long-term injury warriors, are both with the AquaSox and have experienced no setbacks as they return to competition. They’re joined by reliever Hunter Cranton, another fast-moving bullpen piece who was slowed this spring by a concussion and then complications from trying to build back too quickly. Even though Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo have departed Everett, there’s still plenty of prospect talent to enjoy there, especially on the pitching side.