Mariners give Colt Emerson record $95 million contract before first MLB game

PHOENIX — Another day, another record-setting contract extension for a prospect who has yet to even set foot in the major leagues.

The Seattle Mariners have reached an agreement on a guaranteed eight-year, $95 million contract – that includes a club option for a ninth year with prized 20-year-old shortstop prospect Colt Emerson, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Mariners had not yet announced the deal.

It is the largest contract given to a player without any major league experience in history, eclipsing the eight-year, $82 million contract the Brewers gave outfielder Jackson Chourio in December 2023. Emerson is currently playing for Triple-A Tacoma.

The Mariners are planning on Emerson to be their shortstop of the future, replacing J.P. Crawford, whose contract expires after the 2026 season.

The deal comes on the heal of the Brewers locking up shortstop Cooper Pratt, their fourth-best prospect to an 8-year, $50.75 million contract with two club options on Monday. Pratt has played only three games at Class AAA.

Emerson, 20, hit .285 with 16 homers and an .842 OPS last season across three levels, and has played just nine games above Class AA.

Pratt, 21, hit .238 with eight home runs and 31 stolen bases last season for Class AA Biloxi, but is valued for his defense.

The pre-debut extensions show that the small- and mid-sized markets are doing quite well. It’s not a case of the Dodgers or Yankees or Blue Jays taking a gamble on players who have barely played above Class AA – but smaller-market clubs who don’t usually rank high in payroll.

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Colt Emerson stats

• 2025 (High-A/Double-A/Triple-A)

  • Teams: Everett AquaSox (A+), Arkansas Travelers (AA), Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)

  • Stats: 130 G, .285/.383/.458, 16 HR, 78 RBI, 14 SB

• 2024 (Rookie/Single-A/High-A)

  • Teams: ACL Mariners (Rk), Modesto Nuts (A), Everett AquaSox (A+)

  • Stats: 70 G, .263/.393/.376, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 15 SB

• 2023 (Rookie/Single-A)

  • Teams: ACL Mariners (Rk), Modesto Nuts (A)

  • Stats: 24 G, .374/.496/.549, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 8 SB

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colt Emerson contract details: Mariners ink top prospect to huge extension