The Mariners newest additions to the farm system have been showing positive flashes in their first taste of professional ball.
The Seattle Mariners opted for a different approach in the 2026 MLB Draft than they had in previous years.
This year, the Mariners chose to select several college bats, many of whom had experience either in Power Four conferences, including the Southeastern Conference (SEC), who figure to be in less need of development than the team's high-end high school prospects in the past. That group includes both Cole Young and Colt Emerson, currently on the major league roster.
Several of those recently drafted bats were assigned to minor league affiliates to get a taste of professional ball before the offseason begins.
Here's a check in on how several of Seattle's most intriguing hitters from the 2026 draft class are doing in the minor leagues:
Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound infielder was the Mariners' first selection of the 2026 draft and was picked 24th overall.
Reese was assigned to the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers on Aug. 6. He's played two games with the 66ers since, both at third base, and has logged six plate appearances (five at-bats). He's gone 3-for-5 with a run and two RBIs and has struck out just once.
Seattle's analytics department had Reese graded as one of the best power hitters in the SEC, but the biggest point of development for him will be playing third.
In eight total chances at the hot corner, Reese has an .875 fielding percentage and has committed one error.
Jake Brown, OF, LSU
Seattle used its second-round pick (65th overall) on LSU outfielder Jake Brown.
The Mariners have gotten good returns over the past several years from the Tigers. Their top prospect and arguably the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, Kade Anderson (Double-A Arkansas Travelers) and right-handed reliever Christian Little (High-A Everett AquaSox) were both selected by Seattle out of LSU.
Brown was assigned to Inland Empire on Aug. 2. In five games since, He's slashed .263/.300/.474 with a .774 OPS in 19 at-bats and has hit a double and a home run with two RBIs.
Hayden Yost, OF, Florida
Yost was another SEC alum. He was picked in the fifth round out of Florida and, like Brown, has shown power in his brief stint in the minor leagues.
Since being assigned to the 66ers on Aug. 2, Yost has slashed .375/.421/.625 with a 1.046 OPS in 19 plate appearances and has hit a double and a home run with six RBIs.
Henry Ford, 3B, Tennessee
Yet another SEC alum, Henry Ford, has been the most prolific power-hitter of the aforementioned players since being assigned to Inland Empire on Aug. 2.
In 17 plate appearances across four games, Ford has slashed .333/.412/.933 with a 1.345 OPS and has hit three homers with seven RBIs.
At the major league level, the Mariners are back in action on Tuesday afternoon against the Yankees. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. PT. Seattle (56-63) has lost four games in a row and is now 4.5 games back of the Houston Astros in the American League West.
