Jacob Nottingham is returning to the Seattle Mariners, marking another chapter in the catcher’s long and winding professional baseball career. Once considered a promising prospect in the farm system of the Milwaukee Brewers, Nottingham is now getting another opportunity to work his way back toward the major leagues.
According to reports highlighted by MLB Trade Rumors, the 30-year-old catcher has signed with Seattle as he attempts to revive his MLB career. While the deal gives him a fresh opportunity, it also represents a reunion with an organization he briefly played for earlier in his career.
Nottingham was once viewed as a highly regarded young player, even ranking among the Brewers’ top prospects during his development years. His strong arm and power potential at the plate made him an intriguing catching prospect as he moved through the minor league system. That promise eventually led to his MLB debut with the Brewers, where he spent parts of multiple seasons trying to establish himself as a regular big-league catcher.
From 2018 through 2021, Nottingham appeared in games for Milwaukee, though his playing time remained limited. Late in the 2021 season, his career took an unusual turn when he was claimed off waivers multiple times in a short period. During that stretch, he was twice claimed by the Mariners, leading to brief appearances with Seattle before the season ended.
Overall, Nottingham’s major league experience has been relatively small. Across 54 MLB games, he has accumulated just 130 plate appearances. During that time, he posted a .184 career batting average along with a .698 OPS. While those numbers do not fully reflect the potential scouts once saw in him, they also came in a limited sample size, often without consistent playing opportunities.
Now at 30 years old, Nottingham’s return to the Mariners represents a chance to add experienced catching depth within the organization. Teams often value veteran catchers who can contribute defensively, handle pitching staffs, and provide leadership in the clubhouse and in the minor league system.
For Seattle, bringing Nottingham back could help strengthen the organization’s depth behind the plate while also giving the veteran a chance to compete for future opportunities. Whether that leads to another appearance at the MLB level remains to be seen, but the move gives Nottingham another shot to extend his professional career.
For the catcher himself, the signing is a reminder that baseball careers can take unexpected turns. After several seasons away from the majors, Nottingham now returns to the organization where he last appeared in the big leagues, hoping that this new opportunity can help him work his way back to the highest level of the game. ⚾
