Report: Mariners expected to call up top prospect Marte, Montero

On Thursday, the Seattle Mariners optioned infielder Chris Taylor to Triple-A Tacoma. Though no corresponding roster move was announced in the wake of that decision, Greg Johns of MLB.com wrote that the club was expected to promote 21-year-old Ketel Marte, one of the gems of the Mariner farm system, as well as Jesus Montero. 

Trading Dustin Ackley to the New York Yankees on Thursday opened up a 25-man roster spot for Montero, and Marte would presumably fit the slot left open by Taylor. 

As Johns pointed out, Marte was hitting .314/.359/.410 in 65 games with the Tacoma Rainiers, and is the Mariners' second-best prospect according to MLB.com's rankings. With Robinson Cano dealing with an abdominal issue, Marte could fill in admirably if he's capable of hitting major-league pitching at this point in his development. 

Considering the Mariners' falling standing in the AL West, they don't appear to still be 'going for it' in 2015 - so the promotion of Ketel Marte would be a great chance for the organization to evaluate whether or not he's ready to handle the rigors of being in the big leagues. 

(h/t MLB.com)