Seattle Mariners Select Ohio High School Shortstop Colt Emerson at No. 22 Overall in MLB Draft

The Seattle Mariners have selected a shortstop from the Ohio high school ranks with their first selection in the MLB Draft.

The Seattle Mariners selected Ohio (HS) shortstop Colt Emerson with their first of three first-round picks in the MLB Draft on Sunday night.

He is an Auburn University commit who was ranked as the No. 29 draft prospect by MLB.com. Here's a portion of his draft profile from MLB.com:

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. 

The ESPN MLB Draft coverage says that with him, and last year's first-round selection Cole Young, the M's could have their middle infield of the future.

His selection follows Paul Skenes (No. 1, Pirates), Dylan Crews (No. 2, Nationals), Max Clark (No. 3, Tigers), Wyatt Langford (No. 4, Rangers), Walker Jenkins (No. 5, Twins), Jacob Wilson (No. 6, A's), Rhett Lowder (No. 7, Reds), Blake Mitchell (No. 8, Royals), Chase Dollander (No. 9, Rockies), Noble Meyer (No. 10, Marlins), Nolan Schanuel (No. 11, Angels), Tommy Troy (No. 12, Diamondbacks), Matt Shaw (No. 13, Cubs) Kyle Teel (No. 14, Red Sox), Jacob Gonzalez (No. 15, White Sox), Bryce Eldridge (No. 16, Giants), Enrique Bradfield Jr. (No. 17, Orioles), Brock Wilken (No. 18, Brewers), Brayden Taylor (No. 19, Rays), Arjun Nimmala (No. 20, Blue Jays) and Chase Davis (No. 21, Cardinals).

At the major league level, the Mariners are 45-44 and in third place in the American League West.

Follow Fastball on FanNation in social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.