Mariners sign Canton’s Reese to $3.5 million bonus
Published 12:21 am Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Ace Reese, the former baseball standout from Canton, signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.
Reese was the Mariners’ No. 1 draft pick, 24th overall, in the Major League Baseball Draft earlier this month.
Reese, a Canton native and the Tyler Morning Telegraph’s All-East Texas Most Valuable Player his senior season as a Canton Eagle, 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.
Making his first trip to the Pacific Northwest, Reese agreed to terms with the club on Tuesday, receiving a $3.5 million signing bonus, 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 about 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.
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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.
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 reporting to the Mariners’ Arizona Complex League on Wednesday. His brother, sister, and parents were in town with him for the game on Tuesday.
“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.”
MLB.com contributed to this report