The 2026 MLB draft is underway, with the Chicago White Sox taking UCLA's Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick.
With the second pick, the Tampa Bay Rays selected another shortstop in Texas prep Grady Emerson and the Minnesota Twins followed that with Georgia Tech star Vahn Lackey. The San Francisco Giants grabbed right-hander Jackson Flora with the fourth pick, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rounded out the top five with outfielder Derek Curiel.
What will the rounds that follow bring? And who will be the biggest steals -- and stretches -- of Day 1?
Follow along for pick-by-pick coverage, with ESPN MLB experts David Schoenfield and Dan Mullen breaking down everything you need to know about who your favorite team took in the first round 1followed by pick-by-pick results for the entire draft.
After the first four rounds took place Saturday, the draft resumes Sunday with Rounds 5-20 and we'll have every selection of every remaining rounds right here.
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Day 1 results, analysis
1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
Draft ranking: 1
Who is Cholowsky? The consensus top prospect heading into the 2026 season, Cholowsky more or less maintained that position even though his numbers were down slightly from his sophomore season with the Bruins (from a 1.190 OPS to 1.088). A 6-foot-2 right-handed batter, Cholowsky has plus tools across the board other than his speed and was regarded by some as the best college shortstop since Troy Tulowitzki. With his defense, raw power and good approach at the plate, he should move quickly to the majors, with his on-base skills amplified by a Craig Biggio-like ability to get hit by pitches (25 times this season in 299 plate appearances).
Why the White Sox took him here: Cholowsky has been the wire-to-wire top prospect in this class and, despite late buzz about Grady Emerson and Vahn Lackey closing the cap, Chicago took the consensus No. 1 player on the board. While the knock is he might not have the superstar upside teams expect at the top of the draft, Cholowsky comes with a high floor and an All-Star ceiling with the bonus of being a potentially fast-mover for a surprise contender suddenly focused on now as much as the future. -- Mullen
2. Tampa Bay Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (Texas)
Draft ranking: 2
Who is Emerson? Emerson emerged as the top high school position player, jockeying with Cholowsky for the top slot on draft boards. A left-handed batter, Emerson was the Gatorade National Player of the Year, playing his senior season under former Rangers outfielder Rusty Greer, who also helped mentor Bobby Witt Jr. in high school. Emerson may not have Witt's loud tools (who does?), but he's a skilled hitter with projectable power and is viewed as a lock to stick at shortstop. Compared to other top high school shortstops in recent drafts - Eli Willits, Ethan Holliday, Konnor Griffin, Bryce Rainer - Emerson rates higher, although that doesn't guarantee he's going to explode like Griffin did.
Why the Rays took him here: Many scouts view Emerson as the top player in the draft, and while teams don't draft for positional need, it's convenient that Emerson fits a need for Tampa Bay. Carson Williams was supposed to be the shortstop of the present and future for the Rays, but he continues to struggle with strikeouts. The Rays also don't shy away from high school players, with their top two prospects, Theo Gillen and Nathan Flewelling, coming out of high school in the 2024 draft, and Daniel Pierce, last year's first-round pick, also a high school selection. -- Schoenfield
3. Minnesota Twins: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
Draft ranking: 3
Who is Lackey? The latest in a long line of first-round catchers from Georgia Tech going back to Jason Varitek and including Matt Wieters, Joey Bart and Kevin Parada, Lackey exploded at the plate for the Yellow Jackets in 2026, hitting .397/.519/.772 with 20 home runs and more walks than strikeouts as he climbed from a late first-round talent to the top of the first round. He's agile behind the plate with above-average arm strength and a quick release and even has above-average speed that would have allowed him to play other positions if he wasn't so good behind the plate. His power upside is the biggest question, although he improved from six home runs as a sophomore. He's also young for a college junior, not turning 21 until July 7.
Why the Twins took him here: Lackey powered his way into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick with a huge season at Georgia Tech, making this an easy choice when the top of the board played out as expected. Lackey is a potential star at a premium position who has the ability to move relatively quickly through the minors. It's a perfect fit for the franchise that had Hall of Famer Joe Mauer behind the plate not too long ago. -- Mullen
4. San Francisco Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Draft ranking: 4
Who is Flora? The clear top pitching prospect in an overall weak class for moundsmen, Flora has hit triple digits with his fastball, sitting 95-97 with the high spin rate that teams like to see. With a classic pitcher's build at 6-5 and 205 pounds, Flora dominated for the Gauchos, going 12-0 with a 1.06 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 102 innings while allowing just 55 hits. He's not quite as polished as former teammate Tyler Bremner, who went second overall in last year's draft to the Angels, as Flora was mostly just a fastball//slider guy before this season. A kick-changeup that he used mostly against lefties has good downward action and could be a plus offering.
Why the Giants took him here: This is pretty much the chalk pick here as Flora was the top pitcher in the draft after a dominant season with stuff to match, starting with a fastball that hits 100 mph. It does fit a need for the Giants as they rank 23rd in the majors in ERA, so the hope is Flora will move quickly. He's the first college pitcher the Giants have drafted in the first round since Will Bednar in 2021 and just the second since 2015 (not counting two-way player Reggie Crawford in 2022). -- Schoenfield
5. Pittsburgh Pirates: Derek Curiel, CF, LSU
Draft ranking: 10
Who is Curiel? A draft-eligible sophomore after starring for two years in Baton Rouge, where he hit .345 as a freshman and then .353, with the ability to hit upper-end velocity. While his speed is only a tick above average, he has excellent instincts in center field and should be able to stick there. The question is how much upside there is in the power department. He hit 13 home runs across his two seasons for LSU and was way down the OPS leaderboard in conference play in the SEC. He's 6-2 and lean, so there is projectable power.
Why the Pirates took him here: There was a lot of talk about upside high schoolers Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. here, but the Pirates opted for the high floor of SEC performer Curiel. As an outfielder who should make it to Pittsburgh quickly, the Bucs landed a player who should help at a position of need. The ultimate question is if Curiel will hit with enough pop at such an early pick, but the ingredients for a productive major league starter are there. -- Mullen
6. Kansas City Royals: Zion Rose, LF, Louisville
Draft ranking: 18
Who is Rose? A catcher coming out of high school, Louisville moved Rose to the outfield to take advantage of his speed and athleticism. He hit over .300 during his first two seasons. Despite an ankle injury this year and playing just 36 games, he hit .417/.491/.646, including a .390 batting average during ACC play, with six home runs and 24 steals. He has elite contact skills, striking out just 15 times in 173 plate appearances, and improved his exit velocities this year, giving him power potential if he can pull the ball more. He played left for Louisville, but could get a chance to play center in the pros.
Why the Royals took him here: This may look like a surprise selection given Rose's draft ranking, but he has been a productive college hitter with elite contact skills, with the Royals no doubt leaning on that contact ability as a good bet that Rose can turn into a quality major league hitter. It doesn't hurt that he could be a potential solution to the Royals' long-running woes of offensive production in the outfield. -- Schoenfield
7. Baltimore Orioles: Eric Booth Jr., CF, Oak Grove HS (Mississippi)
Draft ranking: 5
Who is Booth? The son of former Southern Mississippi football star Eric Booth Sr., Booth is a dynamic athlete with top-of-the-charts speed along with plus raw power. He is one of the younger prospects in this draft class, having just turned 18 on July 4, and he put up strong numbers as a high school senior -- .481 average, .669 on-base percentage and .922 slugging percentage -- despite a setup that will likely need to be tweaked in the pros.
Why the Orioles took him here: Booth is an elite runner with standout athleticism and some of the highest upside in this draft. Yes, he likely needs some tweaks to his setup and action at the plate, but if Baltimore can help him figure those things out (and the O's have a pretty good track record of this kind of thing), he has true star potential in a draft that doesn't have a whole lot of that type of player, outside of the first three selected today. -- Mullen
8. Athletics: Drew Burress, CF, Georgia Tech
Draft ranking: 7
Who is Burress? Listed at just 5-foot-9, Burress' stock has cooled a bit since he was in conversations as a potential top pick in this draft ahead of the season. He has ranked among the most productive hitters in college baseball over his three seasons at Georgia Tech, posting a 1.204 OPS and batting .357 for his career, though his sophomore and junior production was slightly down from his first season with the Yellow Jackets when he hit .381 with 25 home runs and a 1.333 OPS on his way to National Freshman of the Year honors.
Why the Athletics took him here: An undersized right-handed-hitting outfielder is an odd profile for a top-10 pick, but Burress can flat-out hit, packing surprising power into his 5-foot-9 frame and raking throughout his college career. It's worth noting that the A's have drafted as well as any team in recent years, with Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom and Max Muncy all first-round picks since 2020 and 2024 second-round pick Gage Jump also already in the majors. Like Kurtz and Wilson, Burress could move quickly to the majors. -- Schoenfield
9. Atlanta Braves: AJ Gracia, CF, Virginia
Draft ranking: 24
Who is Gracia? One of the most consistent hitters in college baseball, Gracia starred at Duke for two years before transferring to Virginia for the 2026 season. He put up a .317/.459/.583 career slash line and belted 43 home runs while posting a career-best 1.121 OPS for the Cavaliers this season. The left-handed-hitting Gracia played through shoulder pain this season, and that, combined with questions about his ultimate fit in center field vs. a move to a corner spot, impacted his spot on some draft boards.
Why the Braves took him here: Another player with more floor than ceiling, Gracia has done nothing but perform in a premium collegiate league for three seasons. His power isn't quite there yet, and it remains to be seen how much of it will come as a pro -- but this is a hitter who puts the bat on the ball about as well as anyone in the draft, and that plays at any level. -- Mullen
10. Colorado Rockies: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
Draft ranking: 9
Who is Bell? Bell chose to go to college rather than signing with the Tampa Bay Rays after going No. 66 overall in the 2024 MLB draft. Now sophomore-eligible after two strong years at Kentucky, Bell was one of the biggest risers up draft boards throughout the 2026 season. A switch-hitter who batted .343 with nine home runs, Bell missed nearly a month after tearing the labrum in his non-throwing arm during Kentucky's season opener.
Why the Rockies took him here: Drafting in the top 10 for the seventh consecutive year, the Rockies go with Bell, who surged up draft boards late in the process. A 6-foot-1 switch-hitter with good swing decisions, he overcame a shoulder injury suffered in the first game of 2026 to prove he can handle shortstop with good actions and a strong arm. In the first draft under the new front office, it looks like a safer pick than many of the Rockies' boom-or-bust selections of the past. -- Schoenfield
11. Washington Nationals: Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
Draft ranking: 13
Who is Hacopian? A two-year starter at Maryland before transferring to A&M, Hacopian's bat is his calling card. The right-handed batter hit over .300 all three years in college, including .319/.405/.578 for the Aggies with 11 home runs in 166 at-bats and more walks than strikeouts. He owns a career strikeout rate under 10% and punishes fastballs. He missed the start of the season with a lower back injury and while he played shortstop in 2025, he eventually ended up second base for the Aggies. His lack of speed and range could eventually push him to third base or the outfield.
Why the Nationals took him here: The son of a former ACC Player of the Year, Hacopian starred at Maryland before transferring to Texas A&M and now goes back to his home area. Hacopian had more walks than strikeouts this season in the SEC, demonstrating why he is another hitter in this draft with a high floor whose ceiling will be decided by how much power he adds to his game. -- Mullen
12. Los Angeles Angels: Jared Grindlinger, RF/LHP, Huntington Beach HS (California)
Draft ranking: 11
Who is Grindlinger? The best two-way prospect in the draft, Grindlinger is a left-handed pitcher and lefty-hitting outfielder who reclassified from the 2027 draft and will be just a few months past his 17th birthday on draft day. For teams that rely heavily on draft models, his youth is a big consideration. As a pitcher, he's more projection at this point, sitting in the low 90s with his fastball. He has displayed excellent contact skills and a nice feel for hitting, but needs to get stronger, with his speed likely limiting to a corner outfield or first base.
Why the Angels took him here: This is maybe the most interesting pick so far for a couple of reasons. First, Grindlinger is a two-way player who is still just 17 years old, although the Angels announced him as an outfielder, believing in his contact ability. Second, with John Mozeliak just recently taking over as the interim GM, it's a big change of pace for the Angels, who hadn't taken a high school player in the first round since Jordyn Adams in 2018. -- Schoenfield
13. St. Louis Cardinals: Trevor Condon, CF, Etowah HS (Georgia)
Draft ranking: 16
Who is Condon? The Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia, Condon's grade 70 or 80 speed and all-out intensity are his calling cards, the kind of player who scouts -- and fans -- love to watch. He also shows bat speed and contact skills, although his swing is a little unusual with a high setup from a left-handed stance before dropping his hands. He's made it work, although he'll need to pull the ball in the air more often to get to power that projects as below average for now.
Why the Cardinals took him here: A strong bet to stick in center field with standout speed, Condon is a hard-nosed player who backs it up with his bat and glove. One of ESPN MLB draft analyst Kiley McDaniel's favorite players in this class, Condon invokes some comparisons to Tigers rookie star Kevin McGonigle, so there is plenty to like here. But, to be clear, that is the "absolutely-everything-clicks" version of Condon's future and it's much more likely he ends up as more of a McGonigle-lite type at the plate while playing center field. -- Mullen
14. Miami Marlins: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS (Florida)
Draft ranking: 6
Who is Lombard? The younger brother of Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr., who went 26th overall in the 2023 draft and has turned into a top shortstop prospect, and the son of Tigers bench coach George Sr., Jacob rates higher than his brother at the same age due to more dynamic athleticism in terms of power and speed. A right-handed batter, the 6-3 Lombard is also viewed as a polished shortstop, displaying the high baseball IQ you would expect from the son of a major league coach. The big concern is his hit tool, as Jacob struggled with swing-and-miss against elite velocity on the showcase circuit.
Why the Marlins took him here: The Marlins go with the hometown kid, but that's not why they took him. Lombard is one of the most dynamic players in the draft with perhaps the best set of tools and the highest upside -- better tools, in fact, than his older brother, George Jr., who is in Triple-A with the Yankees and one of the top prospects in the minors. For Jacob, the big "if" explains why he fell to 14th: Will he make enough contact? If he does, this could end up as the steal of the draft. -- Schoenfield
15. Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
Draft ranking: 14
Who is Helfrick? A California high school product who found his way to Arkansas, Helfrick profiles as a defense-and-power backstop. His defense is ahead of his offense, with a strong arm plus he called his own games at Arkansas, unlike a lot of collegiate catchers. He has impressive bat speed and raw power and hit .283 with 18 home runs for the Razorbacks, but while he cut down on his whiff rate in 2026, his hit tool currently projects as below average.
Why the Diamondbacks took him here: Helfrick has as much power as just about anyone in this draft and proved he can get to it in games in the best conference in college baseball this season. There is no doubt about his ability to punish fastballs, but he does have a tendency to chase breaking stuff out of the zone -- and that issue could be heightened against better pitching in the pros. Behind the plate, he's already advanced and seems like a safe bet to stick at the position for Arizona. -- Mullen
16. Texas Rangers: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS (Florida)
Draft ranking: 21
Who is Rojas? Rojas is from the high school that produced Roman Anthony, Coby Mayo, Jesus Luzardo and Anthony Rizzo -- although none of them were first-round picks. Rojas is a 6-4 lefty who is regarded as the top high school pitching prospect in this class, possessing a high-spin fastball that has been up to 98 mph, although sitting more 92 to 95. He throws from a low, three-quarters delivery with a wipeout slider/sweeper, and he has feel for a changeup. He has a low-effort delivery and commands his fastball to both sides of the plate.
Why the Rangers took him here: Finally, we get another pitcher -- and the first high school pitcher. The Rangers have to be happy Rojas fell to them, as his ability to throw strikes and command his pitches should allow him to move quickly. He'll have to throw his changeup more than he did in high school, but if that pitch comes along, he could be the long-term replacement for Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom in the Texas rotation. -- Schoenfield
17. Houston Astros: Logan Hughes, LF, Texas Tech
Draft ranking: 29
Who is Hughes? One of the best hitters during the past two seasons in the Big 12, Hughes hit .375/.510/.735 with 18 home runs and had more walks (50) than strikeouts (33) for the Red Raiders in 2026. The left-handed hitter is an analytics favorite, rarely chasing out of the zone, hitting top-level velocity and making good swing decisions. Though it's easy to project his bat, that's not the case with his defense, as he has below-average speed and a fringy arm. At 5-11, he's also short for a first baseman if that becomes his position.
Why the Astros took him here: This pick is all about production as Hughes flat-out raked at Texas Tech this season, posting a ridiculous .375/.510/.735 slash line (1.245 OPS) in the Big 12. While those eye-popping numbers tell you all you need to know about Hughes' bat, there isn't a lot of room for growth in his game and he isn't a threat on the basepaths or a strong defender. So, he is going to have to hit his way to being an every-day corner outfielder. -- Mullen
18. Cincinnati Reds: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Draft ranking: 8
Who is Lebron? Lebron had some 1-1 talk at the start of the collegiate season due to his flashy tools and position, but he struggled at the plate, hitting .277/.386/.534, a drop from his sophomore numbers, and he also struggled in the field with 19 errors. His numbers dropped even more in SEC play, where he hit just .229, and he finished with twice as many strikeouts as walks. His speed, power, arm and makeup all rate as above average, giving him a superstar ceiling, but his hit tool is a huge question.
Why the Reds took him here: The Reds have shown no consistent philosophy in their recent draft history, going with both high school and college players, sometimes going for ceiling, sometimes with a high floor. Lebron fits into the category of just taking the best player left on the board, although he's one of the most polarizing players in the draft due to the gap between his tools (among the best in the draft) and his production at Alabama (low average, strikeouts and errors). -- Schoenfield
19. Cleveland Guardians: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
Draft ranking: 12
Who is Peterson? A three-year starter for the Gators, Peterson has some of the best stuff in the draft, although not necessarily the results to match that. He went 3-6 with a 4.59 ERA for the Gators, striking out 111 in 84 innings, but allowing 84 hits, 36 walks and 11 home runs - including four to Troy in a 16-11 loss in the NCAA regionals. His fastball averages 96 and he has three secondary offerings in a slider, curveball and changeup that all could be plus pitches. He needs to improve his command and stop grooving too many fastballs.
Why the Guardians took him here: It's time for the Guardians to do what they do best with a pitcher who was a highly-touted player but struggled to find results on the mound at Florida. Peterson posted a 5.40 ERA over three seasons with the Gators, including a 4.59 mark this spring -- but he also averaged nearly 12 strikeouts per nine innings for his college career. It's that type of swing-and-miss stuff that lands him here, and if anyone can coax the best out of a player like this, it's Cleveland. -- Mullen
20. Boston Red Sox: Jake Schaffner, SS, North Carolina
Draft ranking: 51
Who is Schaffner? Schaffner was a strong performer for the national runner-up Tar Heels this season. He hit .356 with a 1.019 OPS in his lone season in Chapel Hill after transferring from North Dakota State.
Why the Red Sox took him here: The first major surprise of this draft, Schaffner was projected as the No. 52 pick in McDaniel's final mock draft. This is a pick that could make a lot more sense when we see what his signing bonus is -- and what the Red Sox are able to do with their upcoming picks after taking Schaffner here. Boston is leaning into a player here who put up numbers in a power conference -- albeit without much pop, hitting just six home runs this season. -- Mullen
21. San Diego Padres: Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS (Florida)
Draft ranking: 31
Who is Borthwick? A huge right-hander at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Borthwick is one of the top prep pitchers in the draft, already possessing a major league body and a fastball that was up to 98 mph. Despite his size, he's a good enough athlete that he drew comparisons to Austin Riley for his power potential as a third baseman, and that athleticism allowed Borthwick to repeat his delivery and throw strikes.
Why the Padres took him here: There's nothing that says "Padres pick" quite like taking a high school pitcher in the first round. Last year, it was Kruz Schoolcraft; in 2024, it was Kash Mayfield; in 2022, Dylan Lesko and Robby Snelling (and MacKenzie Gore and Ryan Weathers before that). General manager A.J. Preller loves going for upside -- and that's the case, once again. -- Schoenfield
22. Detroit Tigers: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
Draft ranking: 19
Who is Flukey? Flukey had a terrific sophomore season at Coastal Carolina, but then suffered a stress reaction in his rib cage that delayed his 2026 season until late April. He went 0-2 with a 4.13 ERA in seven abbreviated starts, throwing just 24 innings. He's a lean 6-foot-6 with a fastball that sits at 95 to 96 mph with the expected late ride of a first-round talent. His curveball is a plus pitch, and there is the belief that he can get stronger and add even more velocity.
Why the Tigers took him here: Flukey pitches off his fastball and has the velocity of a sure major league starter with the frame to support his development. But there are plenty of question marks here as he missed much of the season with a strained rib and his breaking stuff is currently a bit below average. Detroit is betting on him being able to clean up those things, and if he does, there is plenty of upside here. -- Mullen
23. Chicago Cubs: Cade Townsend, RHP, Mississippi
Draft ranking: 26
Who is Townsend? A draft-eligible sophomore, Townsend pitched mostly in relief as a freshman before joining the rotation in 2026, going 5-3 with a 3.94 ERA, striking out 88 in 64 innings while utilizing a five-pitch mix, including a mid-90s fastball. He improved his control from 2025 and has shown the ability to spin the ball, going back to high school in California, but his fastball was hittable at times, and he struggled with giving up home runs during conference play.
Why the Cubs took him here: Most of the Cubs' top prospects are position players and the current rotation in the majors has been crushed with injuries, so it's little surprise that the Cubs would go with one of the top college pitchers left on the board. Townsend's ability to spin a variety of breaking balls is a big plus, but he'll have to improve his fastball command to remain a starter. -- Schoenfield
24. Seattle Mariners: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
Draft ranking: 17
Who is Reese? After starting his college career at Houston, Reese has been a two-year standout for the Bulldogs. He hit .352 with 21 home runs in 2025 and then .336 with 24 home runs in 2026, leading the SEC with 12 home runs during conference play. He generates impressive raw power with a fast left-handed swing, although the strikeout rate (over 21%) was a little high, giving him a power-over-hit profile. He played third base for the Bulldogs, but he will have to improve his defense to stay at the position.
Why the Mariners took him here: The Mariners pretty much had to take a hitter here given the strength of their current big league rotation and pitchers Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan being two of the top prospects in the minors -- plus, look at their struggles on offense in the majors. Reese is the top power-hitting prospect left on the board, although there are questions about his hit tool and defense. He could be the future third baseman or maybe he slides to left field. Either way, the Mariners needed a big bat for the lineup. -- Schoenfield
25. Milwaukee Brewers: Trey Ebel, SS, Corona HS (California)
Draft ranking: 37
Who is Ebel? He's the son of Dodgers third-base coach Dino and brother of last draft's No. 32 pick Brady Ebel -- who also went to the Brewers. Playing at California prep power Corona, the younger Ebel has a strong history of performance and has proven himself as a contact hitter. How much power he'll have will become his biggest question.
Why the Brewers took him here: Clearly there's something the Milwaukee front office likes about the Ebel family -- and with good reason. This seems like a prototypical Brewers player: not a lot of flashy tools, but someone who just feels like a baseball player. Ebel is exactly the type of player Milwaukee has a history of turning into key contributors on a perennial contender. -- Mullen
Note: The Mets, Blue Jays, Yankees, Phillies and Dodgers all received a 10-pick penalty on their first pick for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of MLB's competitive balance tax.
Prospect Promotion Incentive picks
26. Atlanta Braves: Carter Beck, CF, Indiana State
(For Drake Baldwin NL ROY win)
Draft ranking: 70
A native of Estevan, Saskatchewan, Beck began his college career at Division II University of Mary in North Dakota before transferring to Indiana State, where he hit .346/.446/.637 with 16 home runs this season. A left-handed batter, he fits into the analytic models with excellent in-zone contact rates and has above-average speed that could allow him to remain in center field despite a below-average arm. -- Schoenfield
27. New York Mets: Carson Wiggins, RHP, Arkansas
Draft ranking: 90
This is one of the bigger surprises of the draft, as Wiggins pitched just 14 innings in his career at Arkansas, missing all of the 2026 season after an internal brace procedure in 2025. The younger brother of Cubs prospect Jaxon Wiggins, Carson hit 102 mph before the injury in 2025 and did throw at the MLB draft combine, impressing with his fastball/slider combo. There's a lot of unknown here and reliever risk, but the stuff makes him an intriguing selection. -- Schoenfield
28. Houston Astros: Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame
(For Hunter Brown's top-three Cy Young finish)
Draft ranking: 33
After taking a college outfielder with its first pick, Houston goes back to the college ranks with a pitcher here. Radel stands at 6-foot-5 and started for three years at Notre Dame. He sits in the mid-90s and pitched to a 3.29 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 87⅔ innings this spring. -- Mullen
Competitive Balance Round A
29. San Francisco Giants: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS (South Carolina)
(Acquired from CLE)
Draft ranking: 41
Bolemon was the ace of the U.S. national team that won the 18-and-under World Cup in Japan in September, which made him the top prep left-hander entering the 2026 season. He didn't quite pitch to that level, although he repeated as state champion and Gatorade state player of the year. He has great command of a 91-94 fastball and feel for all three of his secondary pitches. He's already 19, however, and also has had an internal brace procedure. -- Schoenfield
30. Kansas City Royals: Taylor Rabe, RHP, Mississippi
Draft ranking: 48
Rabe missed his freshman season at Ole Miss after Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch much as a sophomore, but then shot up draft boards with a strong junior season (3.55 ERA, 105 strikeouts and just 15 walks in 76 innings) in which he combined excellent control with improving stuff as his fastball settled in at 96 mph with an occasional triple-digit reading. He has a pitcher's build at 6-foot-5, but the Royals will have to help him develop his secondary stuff, as he threw his fastball nearly 70% of the time. -- Schoenfield
31. Arizona Diamondbacks: Blake Bryant, RHP, Citizen's Christian HS (Georgia)
Draft ranking: 84
Bryant was one of the top performers on the showcase circuit last summer. His fastball sits in the low 90s and reaches the high 90s, and he has two breaking balls that give him the makings of a starter when his consistency and control catch up to his raw ability. -- Mullen
32. St. Louis Cardinals: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
Draft ranking: 32
Kuhns is another college pitcher who showed excellent ability to throw strikes, finishing his season at Tennessee with 106 strikeouts and just 16 walks across 81 innings. A draft-eligible sophomore, his fastball averaged 94 mph with good life from a low release angle. There is some physical projection left here -- his fastball did touch 98 but got hit hard at times -- and he relied more on a curveball as the season progressed. He's viewed as a high-probability starter as he fills out and develops a better third pitch. -- Schoenfield
33. Tampa Bay Rays: Taj Marchand, SS, James Island Charter HS (South Carolina)
(Acquired from BAL)
Draft ranking: 45
The second shortstop taken by the Rays in as many picks this draft, Marchand was a riser late in the draft process thanks to his plus raw power at a premium position. A two-way player in high school, his arm should help him stay at short defensively as he was up to 92 mph on the mound as well. -- Mullen
34. Chicago White Sox: Landon Thome, SS, Nazareth Academy HS (Illinois)
Draft ranking: 63
The son of Hall of Famer and former White Sox slugger Jim Thome, Landon is one of the best hitters in this high school class as a lefty with power and solid bat-to-ball skills. A move off of shortstop is in his future, but the hope is he can stay on the dirt as a second or third baseman professionally. -- Mullen
35. New York Yankees: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
Draft ranking: 15
Dietz gives the Razorbacks a pitcher going in the first round for the third straight year, following Hagen Smith in 2024 and Gage Wood in 2025. A highly regarded prospect coming out of high school in Florida, Dietz pitched just 1⅔ innings his first two years at Arkansas, needing surgery following a stress fracture in his elbow in the fall of 2023. He returned this year to strike out 131 batters in 85⅔ innings, working off a 95 mph fastball that touched 98. His slider/cutter generated high whiff rates against both sides of the plate, and he also has a curveball. He's 6-6 and 235, and despite the limited track record, some teams saw him as the top collegiate lefty in the class. -- Schoenfield
36. Philadelphia Phillies: Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle HS (California)
Draft ranking: 34
After drafting college pitcher Gage Wood in last year's first round, the Phillies go back to the high school ranks this year, just as they did with their five previous first-round selections. Spangler is a 6-foot-3 lefty hitter with a well-rounded offensive profile and entered the spring as a potential top-10 selection before missing time with a back injury. He has a chance to stick at shortstop, but could end up as a plus defender at third base. -- Schoenfield
37. Colorado Rockies: Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia
Draft ranking: 20
The 2026 Golden Spikes winner, Jackson had a historic offensive season while leading Georgia to the Men's College World Series. Nicknamed "The Rhino," Jackson won the SEC Triple Crown and became just the sixth player in Division I history to hit 25 home runs and steal 25 bases in a season. Power is his calling card, as evidenced by his 32 homers and 87 RBIs in 67 games this season, and it gives him a solid floor as a pro. His ability to stay behind the plate and avoid swing-and-miss as a hitter will decide his ultimate ceiling. -- Mullen
Second round
38. Colorado Rockies: Logan Reddemann, RHP, UCLA
Draft ranking: 27
A two-year member of the rotation for San Diego, Reddemann transferred to UCLA, added velocity to go with his plus control and was climbing the draft boards until he didn't pitch after mid-April because of arm fatigue. He finished 8-0 with a 2.87 ERA in 10 starts, striking out 84 and walking only 11. His fastball got up to 99 mph while sitting at 95 to 96, and he has an upper-80s cutter that induced a lot of swing-and-miss, plus an excellent changeup that might be his best pitch. He threw at the MLB draft combine, although his velocity was down a bit, so his medical records will be scrutinized. -- Schoenfield
39. Toronto Blue Jays: Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State
Draft ranking: 28
The home-state product moved into the ASU rotation in 2026 after pitching two seasons in relief and went 5-2 with a 3.87 ERA. His strikeout total stands out: 133 in 83⅔ innings. His size is also impressive: 6-5, 230 pounds, with a 96 mph fastball that occasionally hits triple digits. The fastball is a little straight, however, so he uses his slider more often, throwing it more than 50% of the time. It's a wipeout offering, but he'll need to develop a third pitch to remain a starter in the pros. -- Schoenfield
40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Bo Lowrance, 3B, Christ Church Episcopal HS (South Carolina)
Draft ranking: 35
A 6-foot-5 left-handed hitter, Lowrance had a tremendous spring, climbing draft boards as a well-rounded hitting prospect with power potential, a smooth swing and performance against quality pitching on the showcase circuit last summer. He has room to fill out and add strength, and while he played shortstop in high school, he'll move to third base in the pros and could end up in a corner outfield position or first base. -- Schoenfield
41. Chicago White Sox: Cole Prosek, 3B/C, Magnolia Heights HS (Mississippi)
42. Washington Nationals: Chase Brunson, OF, TCU
43. Minnesota Twins: Carson Tinney, C, Texas
44. Pittsburgh Pirates: Aiden Ruiz, SS, The Stony Brook HS
45. Los Angeles Angels: Jarren Advincula, 2B, Georgia Tech
46. Baltimore Orioles: Ty Head, OF, North Carolina State
47. Athletics: Mason Edwards, P, USC
48. Atlanta Braves: Kaiden McCarthy, P, Vermont Academy
49. Tampa Bay Rays: Ben Blair, P, Liberty
50. St. Louis Cardinals: Rocco Maniscalco, SS, Oxford HS
51. Pittsburgh Pirates: Chris Rembert, 2B, Auburn
52. Miami Marlins: Ethan Kleinschmit, P, Oregon State
53. Arizona Diamondbacks: Carson Kerce, SS, Georgia Tech
54. Texas Rangers: Connor Comeau, 3B, Anderson HS (Texas)
55. San Francisco Giants: Kaden Waechter, P, Jesuit HS (Florida)
56. Kansas City Royals: Jack Slightom, P, Lyons Township HS (Illinois)
57. Houston Astros: Wes Mendes, P, Florida State
58. Cincinnati Reds: Eric Becker, 3B, Virginia
59. Cleveland Guardians: Logan Schmidt, P, Ganesha HS (California)
60. San Diego Padres: Elliot Lascelles, SS, Upper Canada College HS
61. Detroit Tigers: Tyson LeBlanc, SS, Kansas
62. Chicago Cubs: Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M
63. New York Yankees: Sean Duncan, P, Terry Fox SS (Canada)
64. Philadelphia Phillies: Caden Bogenpohl, OF, Missouri State
65. Seattle Mariners: Jake Brown, OF, LSU
66. Milwaukee Brewers: Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU
Competitive Balance Round B
67. Boston Red Sox: Owen Hull, OF, North Carolina
68. St. Louis Cardinals: Andrew Williamson, OF, Central Florida
69. Detroit Tigers: Evan Dempsey, P, Florida Gulf Coast
70. Cincinnati Reds: Mulivai Levu, 1B, UCLA
71. Miami Marlins: Ryan Peterson, P, Sam Houston State
72. St. Louis Cardinals: Dawson, Montesa P, West Virginia
73. Athletics: Gabe Gaeckle, P, Arkansas
74. Minnesota Twins: Brett Renfrow, P, Virginia Tech
Compensation picks
75. Chicago Cubs: Myles Bailey, 1B, Florida State
Third round
76. Colorado Rockies: Jack Natili, C, Cincinnati
77. Chicago White Sox: Joey Volchko, P, Georgia
78. Washington Nationals: Luke Williams SS, Franklin Regional HS (Pennsylvania)
79. Minnesota Twins: Ethan Wachsmann, P, Grandview HS (Colorado)
80. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jason DeCaro, P, North Carolina
81. Los Angeles Angels: Gavin Grahovac, 3B, Texas A&M
82. Baltimore Orioles: Dominic Voegele, P, Kansas
83. Athletics: Jacob Dudan, P, North Carolina State
84. Atlanta Braves: Jensen Hirschkorn, P, Kingsburg HS (California)
85. Tampa Bay Rays: Gavin Giese, P, Dana Hills HS (California)
86. St. Louis Cardinals: Caden Ferraro OF, Texas Tech
87. Miami Marlins: Cam Kozeal SS, Arkansas
88. Arizona Diamondbacks: Brayden Dowd OF, Florida State
89. Texas Rangers: Brody Bumila P, Bishop Feehan HS (Mass.)
90. San Francisco Giants: Peyton Bonds OF, Rutgers
91. Kansas City Royals: Maxx Yehl P, West Virginia
92. New York Mets: Aiden Robbins OF, Texas
93. Houston Astros: Keon Johnson SS, First Presbyterian HS (Georgia)
94. Cincinnati Reds: Ty Horn P, Nebraska
95. Cleveland Guardians: Tre Broussard, OF, Houston
96. Boston Red Sox: Jace Mataczynski, SS, Hudson HS (Wisconsin)
97. San Diego Padres: Ryan Lynch, P, North Carolina
98. Chicago Cubs: Carson Jasa, P, Nebraska
99. New York Yankees: Brendan Brock, C, Oklahoma
100. Philadelphia Phillies: Ruger Riojas, P, Texas
101. Seattle Mariners: Nathan Taylor, P, Cincinnati
102. Milwaukee Brewers: Kyle Jones, OF, Florida
103. Toronto Blue Jays: Ryan Cooney, SS, Oregon
Fourth round
104. Colorado Rockies: Ben Davis, P, Mississippi State
105. Chicago White Sox: Eric Segura, P, Oregon State
106. Washington Nationals: Cooper Harris, P, Flower Mound HS (Texas)
107. Minnesota Twins: Tommy LaPour, P, TCU
108. Pittsburgh Pirates: Andruw Giles, OF, Basic HS (Nevada)
109. Los Angeles Angels: Rylan Lujo, OF, Georgia
110. Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Roberts Jr., OF, Jackson Prep HS (Mississippi)
111. Athletics: Roman Martin, SS, UCLA
112. Atlanta Braves: Cole Dennis, P, Bishop Snyder HS (Florida)
113. Tampa Bay Rays: Collin Bland, OF, Houston HS
114. St. Louis Cardinals: Dee Kennedy, SS, Kansas State
115. Miami Marlins: Wessley Roberson, OF, Glynn Academy HS (Georgia)
116. Arizona Diamondbacks: Josh McDevitt, P, Missouri
117. Texas Rangers: Hudson Calhoun, P, Mississippi
118. San Francisco Giants: Carlos Martinez, P, Hofstra
119. Kansas City Royals: Dominic Battista, OF, Oswego East HS (Illinois)
120. New York Mets: Shane Sdao, P, Texas A&M
121. Houston Astros: Kam Durnin, SS, Missouri
122. Cincinnati Reds: Ethan Norby, P, East Carolina
123. Cleveland Guardians: Kade Lewis, 3B, Wake Forest
124. San Diego Padres: Robbie Lavey, C, George Washington
125. Detroit Tigers: Dominic Pellegrin, SS, Holy Cross HS (Louisiana)
126. Chicago Cubs: Dylan Marionneaux, P, Northwestern State
127. New York Yankees: Paul Contreras, OF, Cal State Fullerton
128. Philadelphia Phillies: Deven Sheerin, P, LSU
129. Seattle Mariners: Trevor Lucas 3B, UNC Wilmington
130. Milwaukee Brewers: Julian Garcia, P, St. John Bosco HS (California)
131. Toronto Blue Jays: Will Brick, C, Christian Brothers HS (Tennessee)
132. Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Sandefer, P, Florida
Comp picks
133. Houston Astros: Beau Peterson 3B, Mill Valley HS (Kansas)
134. San Diego Padres: Alex Conover, OF, Oklahoma State
135. Philadelphia Phillies: Jaxon Jelkin, P, Kentucky