​LSU baseball star junior outfielder Jake Brown was selected by the Seattle Mariners with the No. 59 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11. Brown became the second current LSU player to be drafted this year, following fellow outfielder Derek Curiel, who went in the first round. Coming into the MLB Draft, Brown was ranked as the 59th-best prospect, with a projected slot value of $1.38 million for the No. 59 pick.
Jake Brown’s status as one of LSU’s top prospects has drawn considerable attention. After a strong start to his junior season in 2025, during which he led LSU with 16 home runs, Brown’s draft stock surged, with projections placing him as a second- or third-round pick should he decide to leave school this year. As the 2026 season progressed, Brown’s performance and potential kept him in the conversation as a highly valued draft talent.
However, health questions lingered as Brown embarked on the 2026 season. He missed the final 16 games after fracturing the hamate bone in his right hand, an injury that required surgery soon after the season ended. Despite that setback, Brown finished the season with a solid .309 batting average, driving in 49 runs and scoring 43 times, numbers that underscored his offensive upside and overall value as a collegiate hitter.
The Mariners’ selection of Brown reflects both his continued development and LSU’s reputation for producing impact players. Brown’s blend of power, contact ability, and defensive versatility in the outfield has made him an appealing option for teams seeking a dynamic young contributor who can grow into a middle- to upper-order bat with natural speed on the bases and a sound overall game.
Cory Diaz of The Daily Advertiser has covered LSU Tigers baseball extensively for the USA TODAY Network. He notes Brown’s standout 2025 season and the expectations surrounding his draft status. For readers with questions about LSU athletics, Diaz can be reached at bdiaz@gannett.com. This reporting originally appeared in Lafayette Daily Advertiser with the headline focusing on what LSU baseball’s Jake Brown brings to the Seattle Mariners, aiming to enhance search visibility for readers seeking updated information about Brown’s professional trajectory. Brown’s journey to the Mariners marks a notable milestone for LSU’s baseball program, highlighting the continued pipeline from Tiger baseball to the professional ranks.