The M's took the slugger in the first round of the MLB Draft on Saturday, but where will he play?
The Seattle Mariners selected slugger Ace Reese in the first round of the MLB Draft on Saturday.
The Mississippi State infielder hit 24 home runs this past season while playing in the best conference in the country (SEC). And for a team generally starved for offense, it's a tantalizing skillset to dream about.
However, there are questions about where Reese will ultimately play defensively. He played third base for the Bulldogs, but there have been suggestions that he might ultimately land better at first base - or in a corner outfield spot.
We caught up with his college coach, Brian O'Connor, on the most recent 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast.
Mississippi State head coach Brian O'Connor celebrates after infielder Ace Reese (3) hit a home run, allowing himself and Gehrig Frei (34), who was on first base, to score during the NCAA Tournament regional final against Louisiana at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Miss., on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images"Well, I've seen him over the last year really improve at his defense at third base. I think he's got a shot at staying there. I really do.
He's got a lot of pride in it. He's gotten a lot better. He hasn't had a lot of experience playing at third base in his career. So I think he's going to continue to improve there.
Obviously, the default is easy, that he could move over to first base and take to it quickly, or he played the corners in the outfield for USA Baseball last summer. So I think he's got some position flexibility.
But I'm hoping that he continues to improve his craft at third base, and maybe that's where he's playing in the big leagues."
In addition to talking about Reese's defense, O'Connor also talked about his prodigious power:
Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese fields a ball and throws to first for an out in the SEC Tournament game between Georgia and Mississippi State at the Hoover Met. Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesYou know, just a really, really high-level player. (I) Have been, you know, you referenced it, Brady, have been doing this for a number of years and coaching in college baseball. This guy absolutely is one of the top three performers from an offensive standpoint that I've had in my career and arguably the best power hitter that I've had in my time in coaching.
And so, just really excited for Ace to start his professional career because I just think that he's got the ability to be there in Seattle in a very, very short period."
Up next
For Reese and his fellow draft picks, they'll likely head to the team's spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz. Some of them will then head to minor league affiliates for the rest of the season.
Of note
The newest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast, featuring former M's outfielder Braden Bishop, is out now. You can listen here, or you can watch in the YouTube player below.
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