Scouting Report

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50 

Ohio hasn't had a high school position player drafted in the top three rounds since Derek Dietrich in 2007, though Emerson should end that drought as a potential first-rounder in July. He played well throughout the showcase circuit and hit .360 as the starting third baseman on the U.S. national team that won the 18-and-under World Cup in September. He was an all-state wide receiver as a junior before deciding to focus on baseball as a senior, when he earned Gatorade state player of the year honors. 

Emerson is an advanced high school hitter who makes repeated hard contact with a pretty left-handed swing. He usually drives the ball from gap to gap but shows the ability to pull the ball with authority. Once he does that more regularly, his bat speed and strength should translate into 20 or more homers per season. 

An average runner with solid arm strength, Emerson is a steady defender at shortstop but probably will move to a different position in pro ball. He looked good at the hot corner with Team USA and his quick hands also would work well at second base. An Auburn commit, he won't turn 18 until shortly after the Draft, which will help his cause with clubs who focus on age.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 65 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60

After starring for Team USA in the 18U World Cup before his senior year, Emerson was Ohio’s Gatorade high school player of the year that spring. He landed in the first round with the Mariners in 2023, the third straight year the club took a high school hitter with its first selection. His first full season was a success in that he reached High-A just after his 19th birthday, even though an oblique injury early and a fractured foot suffered in May limited him to 70 games. He made up for lost time with a dozen strong games in the Arizona Fall League, though a minor hamstring issue ended his stay early.

Owner of the best hit tool in the Mariners system, Emerson got multiple votes in MLB Pipeline’s annual executive poll as being the best pure hitter in the Minors. He has a smooth and repeatable left-handed swing that enables him to find the barrel and make consistent hard contact. His .419 on-base percentage entering 2025 is a sign of his advanced approach as he’s walked nearly as often as he has struck out thus far in his career, and he rarely chases. He hasn’t really started to tap into his raw power with a hit-first approach, but his bat speed and strength point to at least average pop in the future.

A former all-state wide receiver on the gridiron, Emerson isn’t a burner, but his athleticism shows up on both sides of the ball. He has excellent instincts on the basepaths that allowed him to go 15-for-17 in stolen base attempts in 2024, and he has good actions and enough arm for shortstop. He’s gotten reps at third and second as well, with some thinking he might eventually be best suited for the hot corner long term.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Emerson emerged from the Ohio high school ranks during a strong showcase circuit performance and hit .360 on the U.S. national 18-U team that won the World Cup heading into his senior season. The Gatorade state player of the year that spring, he became the Mariners’ third straight high school bat taken in the first round, signing for an over-slot bonus of $3.8 million and then exceeding expectations with the numbers he put up while reaching full-season ball in his pro debut.

The athleticism Emerson has as a former all-state wide receiver shows up on the baseball field consistently. He has a smooth left-handed swing geared for hard contact and his advanced approach was on display as he walked nearly as often (17 times) as he struck out (20) during his pro debut. Thought to be a definitive hit-over-power guy, his pop showed up much more than anyone anticipated, and his bat speed plus strength should continue to translate to in-game power.

Emerson has excellent instincts and is a steady defender at shortstop even though he’s an average runner. He has enough arm for the left side of the infield and played a good third for Team USA, while he also got some reps at second during his pro debut. Wherever he settles in, he has the chance to be an everyday big league performer and gives the Mariners an opportunity to boast a trifecta of high school draftee standouts, following Harry Ford and Cole Young.

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50 

Ohio hadn’t had a high school position player drafted in the top three rounds since Derek Dietrich in 2007 until Emerson ended that drought. After playing well throughout the showcase circuit and hitting .360 as the starting third baseman on the U.S. national team that won the 18-and-under World Cup in September, he earned Gatorade state player of the year honors en route to being the Mariners’ first-round pick and signing for an above-slot $3.8 million bonus that kept him from heading to Auburn.

A former all-state wide receiver who stopped playing football to focus on baseball as a senior, Emerson is an excellent athlete and an advanced high school hitter who makes repeated hard contact with a pretty left-handed swing. He usually drives the ball from gap to gap but shows the ability to pull the ball with authority. Once he does that more regularly, his bat speed and strength should translate into 20 or more homers per season. 

An average runner with solid arm strength, Emerson is a steady defender at shortstop but might eventually move to a different position in pro ball. He looked good at the hot corner with Team USA and his quick hands also would work well at second base. 

Awards

NWL Player of the Week

Week	Team
06/22/2025

AFL Player of the Week

Week	Team
10/13/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/06/2025	activated SS Colt Emerson.
	01/30/2025	Seattle Mariners invited non-roster SS Colt Emerson to spring training.
	09/25/2024	SS Colt Emerson assigned to Peoria Javelinas.
	08/05/2024	SS Colt Emerson assigned to Everett AquaSox from Modesto Nuts.
	06/29/2024	Modesto Nuts activated SS Colt Emerson from the 7-day injured list.
	06/26/2024	Modesto Nuts sent SS Colt Emerson on a rehab assignment to ACL Mariners.
	06/26/2024	Modesto Nuts sent SS Colt Emerson on a rehab assignment to ACL Mariners.
	05/21/2024	Modesto Nuts placed SS Colt Emerson on the 7-day injured list.
	04/27/2024	Modesto Nuts activated SS Colt Emerson from the 7-day injured list.
	04/17/2024	Modesto Nuts placed SS Colt Emerson on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2024	Seattle Mariners Prospects activated SS Colt Emerson.
	02/28/2024	SS Colt Emerson assigned to Seattle Mariners.
	08/23/2023	SS Colt Emerson assigned to Modesto Nuts from ACL Mariners.
	08/03/2023	SS Colt Emerson assigned to ACL Mariners.
	07/18/2023	Seattle Mariners signed SS Colt Emerson.
	06/02/2023	SS Colt Emerson assigned to College Workout.
	08/24/2022	USA Baseball 18U National Team activated SS Colt Emerson.
	08/24/2022	SS Colt Emerson assigned to USA Baseball 18U National Team.
	07/14/2022	High School Workout activated SS Colt Emerson.
	07/14/2022	SS Colt Emerson and assigned to High School Workout.