The Seattle Mariners made the playoffs last season after missing out for two consecutive years with a roster featuring the likes of Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh and Bryan Woo, all of them reaching the MLB through Seattle's farm system.
One of the Mariners' top prospects yet to arrive in the MLB is Colt Emerson, a 20-year-old shortstop and the No. 7 prospect in baseball.
Emerson climbed through three levels in 2025 and continued producing in 2026 at Triple-A Tacoma. Across 130 games last season, Emerson hit .285/.383/.458 with 16 home runs and 78 RBI.
He has opened the 2026 season going 5-for-14 with a home run and a .357/.357/.643 early slash line.
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“He combines a smooth left-handed swing and an advanced approach to be a very dangerous hitter,” MLB.com's scouting report on Emerson says. “He can find the barrel consistently and can hit the ball hard with extra-base authority to all fields.”
Emerson's performances in the minors have now led to a major decision from the Mariners organization.
Seattle has agreed to an eight-year, $95 million contract extension with Emerson, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.
"BREAKING: Colt Emerson and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on an eight-year, $95 million contract extension, sources say," Murray reported on X. "The deal includes a ninth-year club option, a full no-trade clause and escalators that can bring it north of $130 million. Emerson is represented by ACES."
It is the largest contract ever given to a player without any MLB service time. Emerson was selected No. 22 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft but has yet to make his MLB debut.
The previous record belonged to the Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio, who landed an $82 million deal in Dec. 2023, making Emerson's deal $13 million higher before incentives.
