​The Seattle Mariners selected outfielder Jake Brown from Louisiana State University with their second-round pick, the 65th overall selection in the 2026 MLB Draft. Seattle’s second-round choice continues a college-hitting trend, adding a 21-year-old defender raised in Louisiana who has carried that background onto a productive on-campus career. Brown bats left-handed, projects as a strong left arm in the outfield, and brings noticeable power. He was a meaningful contributor to last year’s College World Series championship team and continued to develop in 2026. Earlier this year, though, Brown fractured the hamate bone in his right hand in April, missing a substantial portion of the season and diminishing his power upon return. Hamate injuries notoriously take time to recover from, often lingering for roughly a year, and this setback helped push Brown out of the first round and into a position where Seattle could pull the trigger at 65.
MLB Pipeline rated Brown as the 59th overall prospect, while Baseball America placed him at 81st. The Mariners are likely intrigued by Brown’s left-handed swing, which mirrors the approach they used with their first-round pick, Ace Reese: a line-drive-oriented stroke from a college slugger showcasing the SEC’s development pipeline. At 6’2” and 205 pounds, Brown is a plus left-handed bat who often meets the ball out in front and frequently drives it with authority. His frame and swing enable him to generate power, and his skill set projects well as a potential contributor to Seattle’s lineup.
Defensively, Brown profiles as an above-average runner with enough speed to cover all three outfield spots, and his arm plays well, with the potential to grade as plus in right field when needed. That arm strength adds a defensive bonus to his profile and could help him adapt to various outfield roles as he progresses.
One area of concern is whether Brown can consistently make contact. Some of his strongest offensive numbers came earlier in the season against non-conference competition, and that was before his injury, which complicates the assessment. Given the hamate injury’s lingering impact, Brown’s ascension through the minor leagues will likely be guided by his health and how quickly he can regain his timing and power.
Seattle’s evaluation will hinge on how Brown recovers from the hand injury and whether his hit tool can rebound to pre-injury levels. If the contact rate improves and his power returns, Brown could establish himself as a versatile outfielder with solid offensive potential, capable of contributing across the lineup. As he progresses in affiliated ball, the Mariners will be watching his development closely, especially how quickly he can translate his smooth left-handed swing into consistent at-bats and on-field performance at the professional level.
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