Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

When you consider his tools and skills, this teenager might have the highest ceiling of any international shortstop prospect in a decade. Yes, that list also includes Marco Luciano, Wander Franco and Robert Puason.

Celesten shows big tools across the board and has a chance to be a five-tool player if he continues to develop at a normal pace. The switch-hitter has improved in every facet of this game as he has matured physically in the past year, and he has a chance to have plus speed, arm, and raw power as a result. He also plays solid defense that will keep him at shortstop as he makes his way through the Minor Leagues.

From the left side, he shows doubles power and hits line drives. From the right side of the plate, he shows tons of bat speed with a big loft. He plays with flair and is dedicated to improving.

He trains with JD Ozuna in the Dominican Republic. The Mariners have shown interest in him.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Signed for $4.7 million as the No. 2 prospect in MLB Pipeline’s international class for 2023, Celesten immediately ascended near the top of the organization’s rankings with perhaps as much upside as any position player in the system. The switch-hitting shortstop has even been touted with the highest ceiling of any international shortstop in a decade, including Marco Luciano and Robert Puason. A huge factor in that hype was related to his performances in Colombia and the U.S., along with grander tournaments in the Dominican Republic against older competition.

Celesten underwent season-ending surgery in late July to repair the hook of his left hamate, an injury that had hampered him throughout the summer. Additionally, a Grade 2 hamstring injury suffered in an intrasquad game last June kept him from game action in 2023, and it’ll be worth watching if he can retain the label of the one of the organization’s fastest prospects. Defensively, among all of the Mariners’ prospects labeled as shortstops, Celesten looks the part more than any, with quick instincts and solid range to go with a plus arm. At the plate, his whippy and repeatable swing is slightly better from the right side, and he also has a slightly better hit tool than power. 

Since recovering, Celesten has added 10-15 pounds of pure muscle to an 18-year-old frame that he’ll continue to grow into. It all points to an incredibly high floor, one that could catapult him to the top of the organizational ranks -- and maybe MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 -- by the time he nears the Majors. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

International youngsters are always among the most challenging to rank -- due to a lack of pro experience and age -- yet Celesten has everyone in Seattle bullish on his makeup as possibly the highest-upside prospect in the system. Some have even suggested that the D.R. native might have the highest ceiling of any international shortstop prospect in a decade, including Marco Luciano, Wander Franco and Robert Puason. His first steps in living up to that hype were delayed by a grade 2 hamstring strain suffered in an intrasquad game at the beginning of June.

A huge part of that has been the exposure that Celesten has already seen, having competed in prominent events in Colombia and the U.S., along with grander D.R. tournaments against older competition, giving him an early edge in his pro career. It’s also why the Mariners signed him for $4.7 million this year, when he was the No. 2 prospect in the international signing class. 

Celesten has a run tool that is already among the best in the organization and an above-average arm, and he’s probably going to wind up with true plus raw power or better. The power-speed combination -- which is the holy grail for shortstops on the international market -- has created a sky-is-the-limit type of profile with the organization. Described as a “toolshed,” Celesten has the upside to potentially become a Top 5 prospect in all of baseball, and definitely has the talent to land in the Top 100 once he gets some professional experience under his belt. 

Awards

ACL Top MLB Prospect

Year	Team
2024

ACL Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2024

ACL Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/23/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	05/03/2024	SS Felnin Celesten assigned to ACL Mariners from DSL Mariners.
	03/24/2024	SS Felnin Celesten assigned to Seattle Mariners.
	03/07/2024	Seattle Mariners Prospects activated SS Felnin Celesten.
	02/03/2023	SS Felnin Celesten assigned to DSL Mariners.
	01/15/2023	Seattle Mariners signed free agent SS Felnin Celesten to a minor league contract.