Mariners aren't hiding high hopes for Colt Emerson to pull a Julio Rodríguez

Colt Emerson looks like he belongs. The problem is Seattle’s depth chart might not care.

Seattle Mariners infielder Colt Emerson poses for a portrait during media day at Peoria Sports Complex. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesSeattle is doing that thing again, letting spring training buzz turn into a real roster conversation.

When Jerry Dipoto says Colt Emerson making the Opening Day roster is “not out of the question,” that’s the Mariners deliberately widening the debate around a 20-year-old and telling you, out loud, that they think he’s built for the moment. Dipoto talked about his confidence, humility, and emotional readiness — the stuff that usually determines whether a top prospect looks…