SEATTLE – T-Mobile Park has never carried the reputation of being an appealing environment for hitters.
Quite the opposite, actually.
Ace Reese, however, seemed to have no problem ripping a few out over the wall during batting practice Tuesday before the Mariners’ game against the Reds.
“It looks like the ball's flying today,” he said. “Got some out, so yeah, it's fine.”
Sure, maybe the rare anomaly of 90-degree weather in the Puget Sound helped carry the ball a few more yards into the right-field stands. But this is the type of sheer power the Mariners wanted when they selected Reese, the 21-year-old junior out of Mississippi State, with the No. 24 pick in the 2026 Draft.
“What we feel is one of the best pure college power bats in this Draft,” said Scott Hunter, Mariners vice president of amateur scouting after the Draft.
Reese, making his first trip to the Pacific Northwest, agreed to terms with the club on Tuesday with a $3.5 million signing bonus, which is below slot value ($3,818,700), sources told MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer. Reese was ranked the No. 18 prospect in this year’s Draft by MLB Pipeline and the highest-ranked prospect at third base.
"It's a dream come true,” Reese said. “You dream it your whole life.”
With his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, his calling card is his bat. Reese’s smooth power from the left side was quickly evident when taking batting practice along with Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson – their 2023 first-round selection and former No. 1 prospect. Reese also took grounders with infield coach Perry Hill.
Reese said he connected with fellow 21-year-old Emerson after he was selected by Seattle on July 11.
“I saw him on the summer circuit when I was younger, so kind of reconnecting with him was cool,” Reese said.
Kade Anderson, the Mariners’ top lefty pitching prospect, also extended his congratulations. The two faced each other at the SEC level, where Anderson was selected by Seattle with the third pick out of LSU in 2025.
“He says he loves it,” Reese said of Anderson's experience with the Seattle organization. “So, I'm excited to see him and get to talk to him.”
Reese, a Canton, Texas native, spent two years at the University of Houston before transferring to Mississippi State, where he belted 45 homers over 118 games, In his two years with the Bulldogs, Reese slashed .341/.425/.719 (1.144 OPS), earning SEC Newcomer of the Year honors in 2025 then first-team All-SEC honors at third base in 2026.
Reese is also the Mariners’ first college position player to be taken in the first round since first baseman Evan White in 2017.
Reese soaked in the Seattle experience on Monday before he reports to the Mariners' Arizona Complex League on Wednesday. In town with him for the game tonight are his brother, sister and parents.
“First time to the Northwest. Didn't know what to expect, but it’s been amazing,” Reese said. “Went and caught some fish last night at the [Pike Place Market].”
And what has he learned so far about the club?
“I just know they like to bring guys up through their system," Reese said. “They don’t go shopping too much. They like to bring them up, so I’m excited about that.”