​Seattle Mariners right fielder Dominic Canzone continues to be part of a growing pipeline of Ohio State baseball alumni in Major League Baseball. The latest Ohio State product to join the Mariners is catcher Mason Eckelman, who was selected by Seattle with the 250th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Taken in the eighth round, Eckelman’s selection carries an approximate slot value of $220,900, according to MLB Pipeline.
Eckelman had a notable junior season at Ohio State, posting a .304 batting average with 15 doubles, four triples, eight home runs and 47 RBIs, while crossing the plate 42 times. Across three seasons with the Buckeyes, he hit .280 (115-for-410) with 25 doubles, six triples, 13 homers and 81 RBIs. His performance earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2026, underscoring his continued development behind the plate and at the plate.
In a reminder of the ties between Ohio State, Walsh Jesuit High School and the Mariners, Eckelman hails from Walsh Jesuit in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He joined Walsh Jesuit alumnus Ryan Piech, who was selected No. 200 overall by the Baltimore Orioles, as fellow Buckeye who has also found his way into professional baseball. Eckelman’s family has strong baseball roots; his father, Alex Eckelman, played in the minor leagues and currently serves as the senior vice president of hitting for the Cleveland Guardians.
The connection between the Mariners and Ohio State extends beyond Eckelman. The organization already features Walsh Jesuit and former Buckeye outfielder Dominic Canzone, who continues to contribute at the major league level. Canzone is batting .264 with 15 homers and an .863 OPS across 83 games in the current season. His journey to the Mariners began with a draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, followed by a trade to Seattle in 2023 as part of the package deal for reliever Paul Sewald.
Eckelman’s addition marks the fourth Ohio State player drafted by the Mariners, further strengthening the link between the university and the organization. The Mariners’ interest in Ohio State talent continues to shape their minor and major league rosters, offering a steady stream of players who have developed within the Buckeyes’ program and are ready to contribute at the professional level.
This report draws on coverage from The Columbus Dispatch and related sources detailing Eckelman’s selection and the ongoing presence of Ohio State alumni within the Mariners organization.