By David Barber
davidb@vanzandtnews.com

CANTON-Former Canton High School baseball standout and Mississippi State University third baseman Ace Reese was drafted 24th overall July 11 in the first round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft by the Seattle Mariners.
In high school, Reese was a three-time All-State First Team selection. He batted .490 with nine home runs and 63 extra base hits in his high school career, according to the Mississippi State University Athletic website.
Reese was ranked as the 19th best high school shortstop and the 95th best player overall in the State of Texas by Perfect Game.
After graduating from CHS, Reese played for the University of Houston during his freshman year before transferring to Mississippi State where he majored in business.
During his freshman year at the University of Houston, Reese made the All-Big 12 Conference Freshmen Team leading the team with four triples and tying the freshman school record with four triples in a season.
Reese was fourth on the team in home runs (7) while finishing fifth among Big 12 freshmen and was one of three members of the University of Houston team to have an 11-game hitting streak.
The 6-4, 220-pound infielder bats left-handed and throws right-handed.
Reese’s accomplishments at Mississippi State University included the following:
2026 Preseason All-American First Team; 2026 Baseball America Preseason Player of the  Year Watch List; 2026 Preseason All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) First Team; 2026 Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List; 2026 Division 1 Baseball Top 50 Third Basemen (ranked #2); 2026 MLB Pipeline Draft Prospect (#18); and Division 1 Top 150 MLB Draft College Prospect (#12).
During the 2026 season, Reese had season highs in hits (five against Troy University); Putouts (three against UCLA); Assists (seven against South Carolina); Homeruns (two against Nicholls); Runs scored (three against Nicholls); Runs Batted In (six vs. Nicholls); and doubles (two against Auburn).
He batted .336 during the past season for Mississippi State with 83 hits in 247 at bats while starting 62 games.
Reese had 24 homeruns, 74 RBI’s, walked 41 times, and had 23 doubles during his 2026 campaign.
Reese is the son of Aaron and Chistina Reese. He has two sisters, Lily and Kennedy, and one brother, A.J.
According to the Mississippi State University Athletics website, Reese’s ‘hidden’ talent is juggling and his hobby is fishing.
Following the first round of the MLB Draft July 11, CHS Athletic Director Heath Ragle released the following statement:
“We are extremely excited for Ace and his family,” said Ragle. “Being drafted in the MLB Draft is an incredible accomplishment and then to be drafted in the first round is even more special. To my knowledge, he is the first player from Canton to be drafted in the first round. You will not find a more deserving young man. He has always been such a hard worker and humble young man. Ace is an incredible player with his body frame, speed, and his ability to hit for power, but he is an even better person. I know the entire town will be excited to watch his journey.”