​STARKVILLE — Ace Reese, the standout third baseman from Mississippi State, was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft on June 11, chosen at No. 24 overall. Reese becomes the Bulldogs’ first position player drafted in the first round since Justin Foscue in 2020, a sign of the high regard in which he is held entering pro baseball. MLB.com had pegged him as the No. 18 prospect heading into the draft, underscoring the expectation that he could make an immediate impact at the next level.
Reese’s arrival in Starkville came via transfer from Houston in 2025 after his freshman season with the Cougars. In his two seasons at Mississippi State, he developed into a multi-tool, left-handed hitter capable of driving the ball to all fields while maintaining plus power. His production helped him etch his name among Bulldogs’ legends, joining Rafael Palmeiro and Will Clark as the only players in program history to post back-to-back 20-home-run seasons. Reese hit a career-high 24 homers in 2026, the fifth-most in MSU history, and earned a pair of All-SEC first-team selections during his time in Starkville.
One area that drew attention during the evaluation process is Reese’s defensive position. At Mississippi State, he played exclusively at third base, which raises questions about his fit at the major league level. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds, Reese possesses a blend of size and athleticism that scouts believe could translate well to multiple infield positions if needed.
A Canton, Texas native, Reese has a reputation for elevating his play when the calendar turns to warmer weather. In MSU’s 2026 Athens Super Regional, he delivered in two crucial games, going 6-for-12 with two home runs, two RBIs, and four runs scored, a performance that showcased his potential to rise to the moment in high-stakes situations. He shows solid platoon balance, hitting left-handed and right-handed pitching with comparable effectiveness, and he made notable gains in his approach, improving his walk rate to 14% in 2026. However, his strikeout rate increased slightly to 21.6% that same year, indicating there is still room to refine his swing decisions at the plate.
Defensively, Reese’s fielding increased noticeably from a .885 fielding percentage in 2025 to .935 in 2026, illustrating his ongoing development and reliability at the hot corner. If a team determines that third base isn’t a long-term fit at the major league level, Reese could transition to first base or a corner outfield spot, positions that could leverage his bat and athleticism.
Across 118 games started for Mississippi State, Reese posted a .341 batting average with 45 home runs, 138 RBIs, 129 runs scored, 67 walks, 115 strikeouts, and 2 stolen bases. Those numbers reflect not only his raw power but also his consistency and ability to contribute across the lineup. His performance at MSU solidified his reputation as one of the premier college hitters in the country and established him as a cornerstone talent for the Mariners as they look to build toward a competitive horizon in the coming seasons.
The Mariners now add a player who has shown the ability to drive runs and provide middle-of-the-order protection for a lineup, along with the versatility to contribute in multiple ways should his defensive position evolve in the pro ranks. As Reese begins his professional journey, the focus will be on refining his swing decisions, maintaining plate discipline, and continuing to develop his defensive versatility to unlock his full potential at the highest level of baseball.