Breaking: Seattle Mariners Add Speedy Outfielder Jacob Hurtubise via Waiver Claim from Cincinnati
In a significant midseason roster move, the Seattle Mariners have announced the acquisition of outfielder Jacob Hurtubise from the Cincinnati Reds. Seattle claimed the 27-year-old center fielder off waivers on June 17, 2025, adding an intriguing athletic arm to their outfield picture.
Hurtubise, whose roots trace back to Indianapolis, Indiana (born December 11, 1997), debuted in the majors last year with Cincinnati. Although he saw limited action in 2024, posting a .185 batting average and reaching base at a .297 clip over 29 appearances, his speed and on-base skills drew attention . A left-handed batter and right-handed thrower, Hurtubise may not light up the scoreboard with power, but scouts laud his magnetic speed and savvy baserunning—valuable tools for a contending club like the Mariners.
His journey is particularly compelling: a West Point graduate who played three seasons with the Army Black Knights while setting Patriot League records in stolen bases and walks. Selected by Seattle in the 39th round of the 2019 draft, he opted not to sign, instead returning to the military academy to sharpen his craft. He finally signed with Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent in July 2020, benefiting from a new policy that allowed select athletes to defer military service.
Hurtubise quickly impressed in the minors. In 2021, while with the High-A Dayton Dragons, he swiped 39 bases and hit .283/.413/.337 across 102 games. His 2022 campaign with Double-A Chattanooga included 16 steals and a .250/.385/.308 slashline. The following season, he split time between Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville, hitting a robust .330/.479/.483, tallying seven home runs, 46 RBI, and 45 steals over 119 games. That breakout earned him recognition as the Reds’ Minor League Position Player of the Year.
To safeguard him from the Rule 5 draft, Cincinnati added Hurtubise to its 40-man roster on November 14, 2023. He began 2024 in Triple-A but made his MLB debut in Cincinnati on May 13, serving as a pinch-runner. That evening, he became just the second West Point alumnus to appear in the major leagues.
However, by early June 2025, following the Reds’ acquisition of Ryan Vilade, Hurtubise was designated for assignment. That opened the door for Seattle, who promptly claimed him off waivers on June 17, 2025, injecting the Mariners’ depth chart with a high-energy, speed-first outfielder.
Why This Matters for Seattle
Seattle’s claim of Hurtubise is more than a minor roster shuffle—it adds a player with game-changing tools. His blend of fast-twitch athleticism and disciplined approach (career .479 OBP in Triple-A) positions him as a valuable late-inning pinch-runner, defensive substitute, or potential starter in dire injury circumstances. With Mariners fans and analysts on social forums like Reddit noting Seattle’s appetite for waiver-wire pickups and depth building , Hurtubise checks the energetic, no-cost box.
While he lacks traditional power—he recorded no long balls in High-A and just one in Double-A—his speed (5-tool foot speed, reports say) and ability to reach via walks make him a compelling bench piece . His profile evokes comparisons to other speed-first role players: he runs, he gets on base, and he plays solid defense—particularly in center field.
What This Means Going Forward
For the Mariners, this move addresses several needs:
- Bench flexibility – Hurtubise provides an experienced pinch-runner and defensive replacement who can also start in a spread-out outfield.
- Competition – His presence adds internal competition for Seattle’s existing bench options.
- Low-risk, high-upside potential – Claimed off waivers, Hurtubise didn’t cost Seattle anything beyond a 40-man roster spot. If he thrives in a Seattle hitting coach’s regime, he could become a valuable multi-positional contributor.
That said, the question remains whether Hurtubise can translate his minor league on-base and stolen base success—.479 OBP and 45 steals in 2023—to the major leagues. His previous MLB performance, while limited, suggested room for growth (.185/.297/.241). If he can improve his contact rate and maintain discipline, he may stick as a fourth-outfielder option.
In Summary
- Seattle claimed Jacob Hurtubise, a 27-year-old speedy outfielder, off waivers from Cincinnati on June 17, 2025
- A West Point alum with a record-setting college career, he signed with Cincinnati in 2020.
- He tore through the minors—with a .330/.479/.483 batting line and 45 stolen bases across AAA and AA in 2023
- Hurtubise made his MLB debut in May 2024 with Cincinnati, becoming the second West Point graduate in MLB
- Designated for assignment in June 2025, he was quickly snapped up by the Mariners.
- Seattle views him as a cost-effective depth piece, drawing from speed, defense, and plate discipline.
- His future hinges on translating minor league success to major-league consistency, but the ceiling includes valuable big-league contributions in a bench role.
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