The Mariners locked up shortstop Colt Emerson to the largest deal ever for a prospect who’s never played a single MLB game.
The Seattle Mariners made a surprising investment on Tuesday in a shortstop who has yet to play in the MLB. They locked up top prospect Colt Emerson with an eight-year, $95 million extension, which is the largest contract ever awarded to a player with zero service time in the major leagues. Emerson, who will remain with Triple-A Tacoma, was the Mariners’ 22nd overall pick in the 2023 draft out of John Glenn High School in Cambridge, Ohio. He is rated as ESPN’s No. 6 prospect for 2026.
Emerson slashed .285/.383/.458 with 16 homers and 78 RBIS last season across three levels from Class A to Triple-A. He’s backed that up with a strong spring training, where he had a .268/.340/.488 slash line with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs. Emerson is lauded for his walk and contact rates in the minors, and projects to be a 20-home run hitter in the majors with upside due to raw power. Emerson’s deal includes a no-trade clause and a ninth-year team option. He is now locked up in Seattle’s core of position players, which has been a consistent pattern for the organization to sign these players long-term: Julio Rodriguez (2034), Cal Raleigh (2030), and Josh Naylor (2030).
Here is the full story from Mariners Roundtable writer Brady Farkas on the shocking extension and what it means for Seattle’s long-term future.
Emerson could certainly find his way to the majors this season but is thought to replace J.P. Crawford at shortstop in 2027 once he hits free agency. Either way, the extension made it clear that he is a cornerstone in the organization’s future plans.