SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners used their first overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft (24th overall) to select third baseman Ace Reese out of Mississippi State.

The pick was generally well-regarded by most draft/prospect analysts, who viewed Reese as one of the best hitters in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) this past season. He slashed .336/.432/.721 with a 1.152 OPS in 62 games with the Bulldogs this college baseball year and hit 23 doubles and 24 home runs with 74 RBIs.

Reese officially signed with the Mariners on Tuesday ahead of a game against the Cincinnati Reds. Seattle signed 18 of the 20 players it selected in the 2026 draft.

"Power in the big leagues and power in Seattle is a commodity," Reese's agent, Scott Boras, said in a pregame interview Tuesday. "Certainly, Ace brings that. You can see — he's got man strength. When you can come into this ballpark and put them in the seats just like the major leaguers can — he really has excellent bat-to-ball skills."

Reese was at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Tuesday to sign his contract and take part in pregame activities.

The 21-year-old third baseman took part in batting practice, hitting with former first round pick and current major league starting shortstop Colt Emerson, and participated in infield drills, fielding grounders from legendary infield coach Perry Hill.

Despite T-Mobile Park having a reputation for being tough on hitters, it didn't seem to deter Reese, who hit several balls out of the park during his B.P. session.

"Man, it was fun," Reese said in a pregame interview Tuesday. "It looks like the ball's flying today, got some out. So yeah, it was fun."

Reese was familiar with his Tuesday batting practice partner, Emerson from their time playing in the circuit together as kids.

Despite being the same age (Emerson turned 21-years-old Monday), he was able to part some major league wisdom onto the newly-drafted professional, paying it forward from the advice and mentorship he received from another first-round pick (and 2025 major league call-up), second baseman Cole Young.

"I think that's the beauty of mentoring someone," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview Tuesday. "That person then becomes the mentor for somebody else. That's really what it's all about. In baseball, especially major league baseball, there's just been a long tradition and long history of that. Most players can point to a guy that took them under his wing when they got to the big leagues. It's just really cool to see that come to fruition. ... Loved seeing that go on today."

Reese will head towards the team's spring training facility in Peoria, Ariz., on Wednesday, where he'll work to prep for his first full professional season in 2027.

"That's why you play the game, is for the big moment," Reese said. "You put in all the hard work all year, you're there and that's why you do it. ... I think playing in the SEC for the past two-three years, that's the highest level of college baseball. Doing that the last two-three years has gotten me really ready for this moment."

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