​The Seattle Mariners selected third baseman Ace Reese from Mississippi State University with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft. Reese stood out as one of college baseball’s most powerful hitters this season and is broadly recognized for his well-rounded hitting ability. Over two consecutive seasons, he posted some of the best metrics in the nation. His left-handed swing is built to drive the ball with authority, and he consistently finds the pull side, allowing his already impressive power to play up. At 6’3” and 205 pounds, Reese has a bit of physical projection remaining and could realistically emerge as a 25-homer per season player once adjusted to the big leagues.
In discussing Reese with scouting director Scott Hunter, our colleague Kate Preusser gathered the internal assessment on this year’s first-round pick: “He’s got a track record of success. He’s done it at every level, and to be that successful and impactful in the SEC right now… he posted a .383 ISO. He handles both right-handed and left-handed pitching. We were very fortunate that he slipped to us at this point in the draft.” Put simply, he’s described as “one of the best pure college power bats in this draft.”
The bet here centers on Reese’s bat. The expectation is a third-base or left-field defensive profile in the pros. While his overall athleticism isn’t extraordinary, he moves efficiently as a long-strider and possesses better foot speed than many observers credit. That speed should help him avoid an eventual move to first base, a common fate for many corner infielders. Reese is very much a bat-first prospect, and as a left-handed hitter with exceptional natural hitting ability, his current defensive projection is palatable and lends itself to a potentially valuable package.
Hunter’s take on Reese’s defense underscores the emphasis on hitting: “It’s always hit first. We in the room believe in that, because he’s got some work to do at third base. He’s aware of that too. He had a minor setback with a foot injury over the fall and spring that slowed him briefly, but he’s motivated. He’s played right field and first base, but he’s a motivated kid who wants to be a third baseman. With that kind of bat, if we can get him to the place where he’s—get him with Bone over there, get him with Perry—his bat will carry him, and the defense will come along. He has the skills to do it; it’s just a matter of refining a few things.”
When Reese began slipping in the draft, the organization made several calls. Hunter noted that there was a sense of good timing and opportunity: “To say we were fortunate—sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good because the thinning was pretty swift this year. We had many ideas about potential deals, options to move money, and contingencies if certain players didn’t end up there. Being able to take Ace was an easy decision for us.”
The enthusiasm for Reese within the Seattle front office was unanimous, with both scouts and analysts captivated by his upside. Hunter highlighted the robust information flow from their analysts as part of the process, underscoring the optimism surrounding Reese’s potential to become a cornerstone bat in Seattle’s lineup.