​The News Tribune is closely tracking every Seattle Mariners selection from the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft, starting with Round 1, where the Mariners drafted 3B Ace Reese from Mississippi State with the 24th overall pick. Mariners VP of Amateur Scouting Scott Hunter called Reese one of the country’s top three hitters, noting that his profile suggests immediate, meaningful impact at the major league level. “The information that comes back from our analysts shows that Ace’s probably one of the top three hitters in the country, and it profiles as a guy that’s going to go out and have success right away,” Hunter said. He added cautions about setting a timetable for a development curve but emphasized Reese’s impressive performance in the SEC, describing it as a “totally different animal” compared to today’s college baseball environment. The Mariners are watching Reese’s continued growth with great interest as he transitions toward professional competition.
Reese’s 2026 statistics reflect strong offensive production: a .336 batting average, .432 on-base percentage, and an eye-popping .721 slugging percentage, along with 24 home runs, 74 RBIs, 41 walks, and 63 strikeouts across the season. This performance helped solidify his status as a premier hitting prospect in the class.
In Round 2, selected 65th overall, the Mariners took outfielder Jake Brown from Louisiana State University. Hunter expressed confidence in Brown’s overall ceiling, saying, “We do think he can play center field. We think the bat’s on the rise.” He also referenced a lighthearted external endorsement from a former LSU pitcher and current Mariners prospect, Kade Anderson, who texted, “You guys are actually pretty smart up there.” Brown’s 2026 line mirrored his growing reputation, posting a .309/.404/.642 slash with 16 home runs, 49 RBIs, 23 walks, and 9 stolen bases.
With Round 3 (101st overall), the Mariners drafted right-handed pitcher Nathan Taylor from the University of Cincinnati. Hunter described Taylor as physically imposing and noted his propensity to throw a high volume of strikes and miss bats frequently. He highlighted the organization’s continued preference for pitchers who command the strike zone, explaining that such traits align with a scalable blueprint for success. “He’s big. He’s physical. He throws a ton of strikes, he misses a ton of bats,” Hunter said, adding that the plan aligns with the organization’s historical preferences. The mood around Taylor was upbeat, with the sense that he was genuinely excited about joining the Mariners. Taylor’s 2026 numbers included a 7-3 record, a 4.25 ERA over 90 innings pitched, 115 strikeouts, and 27 walks.
In Round 4, selected 129th overall, the Mariners chose third baseman Trevor Lucas from UNC Wilmington. Hunter commented that their scout compared Lucas to a “Ben Williamson-lite,” praising his quick swing decisions and high contact rates. The team also views Lucas as a plus defender at third base, while leaving open the possibility that he could contribute at other positions on the field as he develops. Lucas posted a strong 2026 line of .312/.429/.556, with 12 home runs, 56 RBIs, 38 walks, and 9 stolen bases, illustrating a well-rounded offensive profile and solid defensive upside.
This feature will be updated to reflect additional selections and any new insights from the Mariners’ scouting staff as the 2026 draft coverage continues.