Mariners Draft 20 Players, Leaning on College Ranks as NIL Reshapes 2026 MLB Signings
Updated
Updated · MLB.com · Jul 13
Mariners Draft 20 Players, Leaning on College Ranks as NIL Reshapes 2026 MLB Signings
3 articles · Updated · MLB.com · Jul 13
Summary
Seattle used 19 of 20 picks on college players and does not expect to sign two late-rounders, including lone prep pick Dominic Santarelli, after finishing its 2026 MLB Draft.
NIL money and a thinner high school class drove that approach, scouting VP Scott Hunter said, as Seattle avoided chasing players whose bonus demands no longer fit its pool.
About $460,000 in Day 1 savings came from below-slot deals with first-rounder Ace Reese at $3.5 million and fourth-rounder Trevor Lucas at $450,000, money the club planned to redirect to Day 2.
Day 2 kept the college-heavy theme, starting with SEC position players such as Florida's Hayden Yost and Tennessee slugger Henry Ford before Seattle shifted to four straight college pitchers in Rounds 11-14.
The draft underscores a wider MLB trend: stronger college leverage is pushing clubs toward more signable college talent and away from riskier high school bets.