Liam MacKenzie – Student Reporter
Philadelphia, PA – The 2026 MLB Draft is under a week away, and anticipation continues to build across Major League Baseball as organizations prepare to shape the future of their franchises. This year’s draft will take place in Philadelphia, a city often referred to as the birthplace of America due to its central role in the nation’s founding.
From potential No. 1 overall picks to under-the-radar prospects, the event will showcase the next generation of baseball talent as players take the first step toward their major league dreams. With that in mind, here’s a prediction of how the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft could unfold.
1. Chicago White Sox Selection – With the first pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox select Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop out of UCLA. Widely regarded as the top prospect in this year’s class, Cholowsky has established himself as one of the most complete players available thanks to his advanced bat, defensive instincts, and high baseball IQ. He has the tools to become an impact player on both sides of the ball and projects as a cornerstone infielder for years to come.
For a White Sox organization still building toward long-term success, adding a polished two-way talent like Cholowsky would provide another foundational piece to the franchise’s future. His combination of offensive production, defensive reliability, and leadership potential makes him the consensus choice to hear his name called first overall.
2. Tampa Bay Rays Selection – With the second pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Tampa Bay Rays select Grady Emerson, a shortstop out of Fort Worth Christian School in North Richland Hills, Texas. Considered one of the most talented high school players in this year’s class, Emerson possesses an advanced left-handed bat, above-average athleticism, and the defensive ability to remain at shortstop as he develops. His combination of offensive upside and overall polish gives him the potential to become an impact player at the next level.
The Rays have consistently found success by developing young talent, making Emerson an ideal fit for the organization’s player-development system. While he may require additional time in the minor leagues, his ceiling is among the highest in the draft class, and Tampa Bay would gladly invest in a player with All-Star potential.
3. Minnesota Twins Selection – With the third pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Minnesota Twins select Vahn Lackey, a catcher out of Georgia Tech. One of the top collegiate position players in this year’s draft class, Lackey combines advanced offensive production with strong defensive skills behind the plate. His ability to hit for both average and power, along with his game-calling, arm strength, and leadership, makes him one of the most complete catchers available.
The Twins would be adding a player capable of contributing on both sides of the ball while filling one of baseball’s most demanding positions. Although catchers often require additional development before reaching the major leagues, Lackey possesses the tools and maturity to become a long-term fixture behind the plate. His well-rounded skill set and high baseball IQ make him an excellent fit for Minnesota as the organization continues to strengthen its farm system.
4. San Francisco Giants Selection – With the fourth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the San Francisco Giants select Jackson Flora, a right-handed pitcher out of UC Santa Barbara. Regarded as one of the premier collegiate arms in this year’s draft class, Flora features a lively fastball, sharp breaking pitches, and advanced command that allows him to consistently challenge hitters. His ability to miss bats while limiting hard contact has made him one of the fastest-rising pitching prospects entering the draft.
The Giants have long valued pitching throughout their organization, and Flora fits that mold as a potential front-of-the-rotation starter. While every pitching prospect carries some degree of risk, his polished repertoire, competitive makeup, and experience against top collegiate competition give him the tools to develop into a reliable major league starter. Selecting Flora would provide San Francisco with another high-end arm to strengthen its future rotation.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates Selection – With the fifth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates select Eric Booth Jr., an outfielder out of Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. One of the most dynamic athletes in this year’s draft class, Booth possesses an impressive combination of speed, power, and defensive ability that gives him tremendous upside. His quick bat, advanced instincts, and ability to impact the game in multiple ways have made one of the top high school prospects available.
The Pirates have built one of baseball’s strongest farm systems through the draft, and Booth would represent another high-upside addition to their collection of young talent. Although he may require time to develop in the minor leagues, his athleticism and five-tool potential give him the chance to become an impact player at the major league level. If he reaches his ceiling, Booth could develop into a cornerstone outfielder for Pittsburgh for years to come.
6. Kansas City Royals Selection – With the sixth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Kansas City Royals select Cameron Flukey, a right-handed pitcher from Coastal Carolina. One of the top collegiate pitchers in this year’s draft class, Flukey has impressed scouts with his power arsenal, advanced command, and ability to consistently generate swing and misses. His fastball, complemented by a sharp breaking and developing off-speed pitches, gives him the profile of a pitcher capable of moving quickly through a major league organization.
The Royals have built much of their recent success around developing homegrown pitching, making Flukey a natural fit for the organization. His combination of collegiate experience, durability, and strikeout potential provides Kansas City with another promising to add to its farm system. If he continues to refine his repertoire, Flukey has the upside to develop into a dependable starter at the front of the Royals’ rotation.
7. Baltimore Orioles Selection – With the seventh pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Baltimore Orioles select Drew Burress, an outfielder from Georgia Tech. One of the most accomplished college hitters in this year’s draft class, Burress has established himself as an impact offensive player with a combination of power, plate discipline, and consistent contact. His ability to drive the baseball to all fields while controlling the strike zone makes him one of the safest position-player prospects available.
The Orioles have built one of baseball’s deepest young cores through the draft and player development, and Burress would add another talented bat to the organization’s future. His collegiate experience and advanced offensive approach could allow him to move quickly through the minor leagues, while his all-around skill set gives him the potential to become an everyday contributor in Baltimore’s lineup. If he continues to develop defensively, Burress could emerge as a key piece of the Orioles’ next wave of homegrown talent.
8. Athletics Selection – With the eighth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Athletics select Jacob Lombard, a shortstop from Gulliver Prep in Miami, Florida. One of the premier high school infielders in this year’s draft class, Lombard possesses an impressive blend of athleticism, defensive instincts, and offensive upside. His smooth actions as shortstop, strong arm, and developing power at the plate give him the tools to become a well-rounded player at the professional level.
While the Athletics already have a talented young shortstop in Jacob Wilson, his recent injury could encourage the organization to add another high-end middle infielder to strengthen its long-term depth. Lombard has the versatility to remain at shortstop or move elsewhere in the infield if needed, giving the Athletics flexibility as their roster continues to develop. His athleticism, defensive instincts, and offensive potential make him a strong fit for an organization looking to build a sustainable core of young talent.
9. Atlanta Braves Selection – With the ninth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves select Gio Rojas, a left-handed pitcher from Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. One of the premier prep pitchers in this year’s draft class, Rojas features a lively fastball, a sharp breaking ball, and the poise of a pitcher well beyond his years. His ability to command the strike zone while generating swings and misses has established him as one of the top high school arms available.
Rojas also comes from one of nation’s most successful baseball programs at Stoneman Douglas High School, which has produced several major leaguers, including Roman Anthony, Anthony Rizzo, and fellow left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo. While a player’s high school does not determine future success, the program’s history of developing elite talent speaks to the level of competition and coaching Rojas has experienced. The Braves have consistently developed young pitching throughout their organization, making Rojas a strong fit as another high-upside arm who could eventually become a key piece of Atlanta’s future rotation.
10. Colorado Rockies Selection – With the tenth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies select AJ Gracia, an outfielder from Virginia. One of the most dangerous power hitters in this year’s draft class, Gracia possesses tremendous raw power, an advanced approach at the plate, and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. His offensive upside gives him the potential to develop into a middle-of-the-order bat at the major league level.
Gracia’s power profile also makes him an intriguing fit for the Rockies, who play their home games at Coors Field, one of Major League Baseball’s most hitter-friendly ballparks. The combination of his natural power and Coors Field’s favorable hitting environment could allow his offensive tools to flourish. While he will continue refining his overall game in the minor leagues, Gracia has the upside to become a cornerstone bat in Colorado’s lineup for years to come.
Rest of the Draft
11. Washington Nationals Selection – Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
12. Los Angeles Angels Selection – Derek Curiel, OF, Louisiana State
13. St. Louis Cardinals Selection – Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
14. Miami Marlins Selection – Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
15. Arizona Diamondbacks Selection – Jared Grindlinger, OF/LHP, Huntington Beach (California) HS
16. Texas Rangers Selection – Justin LeBron, SS, Alabama
17. Houston Astros Selection – Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
18. Cincinnati Reds Selection – Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah HS, Woodstock, Ga.
19. Cleveland Guardians Selection – Sawyer Strosnider, OF, Texas Christian
20. Boston Red Sox Selection – Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
21. San Diego Padres Selection – Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS, Simpsonville, South Carolina
22. Detroit Tigers Selection – Aiden Ruiz, SS, The Stony Brook (N.Y.) School
23. Chicago Cubs Selection – Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
24. Seattle Mariners Selection – Logan Reddemann, RHP, UCLA
25. Milwaukee Brewers Selection – Zion Rose, OF, Louisville
Prospect Promotion Incentive Picks
26. Atlanta Braves Selection – Mason Edwards, LHP, Southern California
27. New York Mets Selection – Brody Bumila, LHP, Bishop Feehan HS, Attleboro, Massachusetts
28. Houston Astros Selection – Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
Competitive Balance Round A
29. San Francisco Giants Selection – Aiden Robbins, OF, Texas
30. Kansas City Royals Selection – Ty Head, OF, North Carolina
31. Arizona Diamondbacks Selection – Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State
32. St. Louis Cardinals Selection – Cameron Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS, Santa Rose Beach, Florida
33. Tampa Bay Rays Selection – Cade Townsend, RHP, Mississippi
34. Pittsburgh Pirates Selection – Taj Marchand, SS, James Island HS, Charleston, South Carolina
35. New York Yankees Selection – Cole Prosek, 3B/C, Magnolia Heights HS, Senatobia, Mississippi
36. Philadelphia Phillies Selection – Chase Brunson, OF, Texas Christian
37. Colorado Rockies Selection – Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia
38. Colorado Rockies Selection – Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame
39. Toronto Blue Jays Selection – Bo Lawrence, 3B, Christ Church Espiscopal HS, Greenville, South Carolina
40. Los Angeles Dodgers Selection – Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha HS, Pomona, California
Final Thoughts – The 2026 MLB Draft is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most talented classes in recent memory, with organizations having the opportunity to add players who could become the cornerstones of their franchises. From polished collegiate stars to high-upside high school prospects, this year’s draft offers a wide range of talent that should make for an exciting first round.
While this mock draft represents one possible outcome, the MLB Draft is known for its unpredictability. Signability, organizational philosophy, and late-breaking evaluations can all influence how the board unfolds. Regardless of how the first round plays out, baseball fans can expect an event filled with surprises as the next generation of major league talent begins its professional journey.
With the draft set to begin in Philadelphia, the countdown is officially on as teams prepare to make decisions that could shape the future of their organizations for years to come.
