We are 95 days away from the 2026 MLB Draft, and if the first month-plus of the college baseball season has told us anything, it’s that this class has the makings of something special. The top of the board has been remarkably stable, the middle of the first round is loaded with legitimate first-round talent, and the prep class, particularly on the pitching side, has scouts genuinely excited in a way we haven’t seen in a few years.
Roch Cholowsky is locked in at No. 1, and it isn’t a conversation. The UCLA shortstop is currently slashing .342/.471/.683 with 11 home runs through the early part of the season, and the defense remains Gold Glove caliber. There is no scenario in which he isn’t the first name called in July. The Chicago White Sox, who won the draft lottery back in December, know exactly what they’re getting.
Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn ImagesThe most interesting development in this mock is Justin Lebron surging to No. 2 (jumping Grady Emerson from our previous mock). The Alabama shortstop has been one of the most talked-about players on the circuit this spring, and the power has shown up in a real way early on. There are still hit tool questions attached to the profile, but the athleticism and projection are loud enough that the Rays ( who pick second) would have a very hard time passing on him.
Elsewhere, Chris Hacopian has quietly crept into the top-15 conversation after a monster start at Texas A&M, Eric Booth Jr. has been one of the biggest risers of the spring on the prep side, and Mason Edwards has pitched his way into legitimate day-one territory at USC.
One note before we get into it: this mock covers picks 1-40, including supplemental first-round selections. A handful of teams appear more than once — the Rockies, Astros, Guardians, and Royals all pick twice in this range.
We’ll have an updated big board dropping soon as well. For now, here’s where things stand with the 2026 MLB Draft, just over three months away.
2026 MLB Mock Draft: Round 1
1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
No drama here. Cholowsky has been the consensus No. 1 since last summer and hasn’t given anyone a reason to think twice. He’s currently slashing .342/.471/.683 with 11 home runs, and the defense is Gold Glove caliber. Cholowsky is the kind of shortstop you build around on both sides of the ball. The best college shortstop since Tulowitzki is a real conversation, not a hot take.
Roch Cholowsky, projected first overall in the 2026 MLB Draft, extends the lead with his eleventh home run of the year pic.twitter.com/beWINmTqUh
— Milb Central (@milb_central) April 6, 20262. Tampa Bay Rays: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Lebron has been climbing boards all spring and deservedly lands at No. 2 here. The athleticism is plus, the projection at short is real, and the raw power has been turning heads with 11 home runs in his first 33 games this year. The hit tool still has questions attached, but you’re betting on the profile and makeup. Tampa’s the right organization to develop it.
3. Minnesota Twins: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian (HS)
The top prep player on this board and arguably the best hit tool in the entire class, regardless of level. The left-handed swing is smooth, the defensive actions are clean, and the power projection is real. He’s 18 years old and already looks like a player. Minnesota has been excellent at developing young shortstops, and this is a dream fit.
4. San Francisco Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Flora has been the most consistently dominant college arm in the country this spring, full stop. A 0.69 ERA over 52.1 innings, 65 strikeouts, 15 walks. The frame is there, the delivery is clean, the stuff is genuine — fastball, two breaking balls, strikes. He checks basically every box, and it’s hard to imagine a team with a top-five pick letting him slide. The Giants land a future front-of-rotation arm.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
Lackey needed to show power this spring to push his stock into the top five, and he’s done exactly that with 11 home runs to go with a .405 average. He’s still physically maturing, which is either a concern or a dream depending on how you look at it, and scouts are firmly in the dream camp. Athletic catchers who can stay behind the dish and hit for power don’t grow on trees.
Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images6. Kansas City Royals: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
One of the most decorated college bats in the class, Burress has put together a monster career at Georgia Tech. He’s undersized for a corner outfielder, but the pull-side power is advanced, and the center field projection is real. He’s been a consistent producer in one of the toughest environments in college baseball, and the Royals get a high-floor bat here.
7. Baltimore Orioles: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
You could make a case that Reese has the best college offensive profile in this entire class. The left-handed swing is smooth and effortless, the barrel control is elite, and the power is genuine plus. There are some defensive question marks at third base long term, but it doesn’t matter. This is a bat-first profile with a high floor and a high ceiling, and Baltimore would take it without hesitation.
8. Athletics: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep (HS)
The bloodlines are real (his father and brother both played professionally), but Lombard has earned this spot on his own. Near top-scale speed, legitimate shortstop actions that evaluators are confident in long term, and raw power that you expect to grow. The hit tool is the thing to watch, but that’s exactly the kind of project a front office can sink its teeth into.
9. Atlanta Braves: Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove (HS)
Booth has been one of the biggest risers of the spring and goes here at nine. He’s a dynamic left-handed hitter with a mix of contact and power, and his athleticism is loud. Prep outfielders with this kind of upside don’t usually make it past ten. Atlanta gets a projectable bat with middle-of-the-order potential.
Eric Booth Jr. is one of the most exciting athletes in the 2026 class. In his junior year, he hit .467 with six home runs, five triples, 12 doubles and 27 stolen bases. See his scouting report: t.co/qww3iP8dte pic.twitter.com/V9GXXKiKlb
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) February 23, 202610. Colorado Rockies: AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia
It’s hard to see Gracia falling past this range. One of the prettiest left-handed swings in the class, a well-rounded offensive skill set, consistent strike zone management, and some of the loudest contact in college baseball this year. Coors Field and a hitter like Gracia feel like an obvious match. The Rockies would be thrilled with this outcome.
11. Washington Nationals: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas (HS)
Rojas is 35.2 innings into one of the more electric springs a prep lefty has had in recent memory — 65 strikeouts, eight walks, three earned runs. His fastball sits 93-95 and was touching 96 in his most recent start, with easy velo and late life. The slurve is already a plus pitch, and the changeup flashes above average. There’s a ton of clay here, but the results are already real.
12. Los Angeles Angels: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
Flukey has only made one start this spring after a rib injury, which is the only reason there’s any hesitation at all. When healthy, the stuff is dominant, and the strike-throwing is elite. If he’s fully right by draft day, this could end up being a significant steal. The Angels take the risk here and could be rewarded with a front-end starter.
Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images13. St. Louis Cardinals: Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU
Strosnider might be the most toolsy and athletic college prospect in the class. The power has fully materialized this spring, and his approach has taken a notable step forward — walk rate up 13 percent. He’s made the adjustments evaluators wanted to see, and the Cardinals get a player with legitimate all-star upside if the development clicks.
14. Miami Marlins: Chris Hacopian, SS, Texas A&M
Hacopian has been generating buzz all spring, and it’s completely warranted. He’s slashing .324/.442/.549 in SEC play with exit velocities that are legitimately scary. He hit one 450 feet against Oklahoma at 114 mph off the bat. The defensive home might end up being second base long-term, but with a bat like this, you figure that out later. The Marlins get a potential middle-of-the-order bat.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
Bell missed time early after a shoulder injury on a diving play, but he’s back in the lineup, and the bat has been loud since his return, slashing .340/.588/.560 in his first 80 plate appearances back. He’s a switch-hitter with a well-rounded skill set on both sides of the ball, and the floor is as high as anyone’s in this class. Arizona gets a player who could have gone ten spots higher.
Tyler Bell has tied this game immediately after Ole Miss took the lead ?Bell only playing 8 games while Kentucky is 19-3 is dangerous pic.twitter.com/LfXxCG0eZZ
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) March 21, 202616. Texas Rangers: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian (HS)
Bolemon is widely regarded as the top pitchability prep arm in the class, and the early returns this spring have backed that reputation up. He won’t light up a radar gun the way some arms will, but the feel, the command, and the ability to spin multiple pitches for strikes at this age are rare. “Safe” is a loaded word for a high school arm, but Bolemon is as close as it gets.
17. Houston Astros: Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M
Another Aggie in the first round. Sorrell has been a consistent producer in the SEC for three years now, and the profile is clear: plus glove in the outfield, left-handed bat with genuine power upside, and consistent hard contact with quality launch angles. Houston adds another piece to an already deep system.
© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images18. Cincinnati Reds: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
Peterson is built like a starter — 6-foot-5, sturdy frame — and the stuff matches the frame. Upper-90s fastball, two legitimate breaking balls, and the ability to spin them both for strikes. The walk rate has been the issue, but if Peterson can tighten the command profile, you’re looking at a potential ace. The Reds roll the dice on the ceiling here.
19. Cleveland Guardians: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
The surface numbers aren’t flashy, but dig into the underlying data, and there’s a lot to like. A 28 percent strikeout rate paired with a four percent walk rate through seven starts. The fastball is elite at the top of the zone, and the spin rates on his breaking ball are eye-catching. Cleveland is exactly the organization to help a pitcher like this reach his ceiling.
20. Boston Red Sox: Eric Becker, SS, Virginia
A bundle of major league average tools from the left side of the plate. Pretty swing, good angles, some impact, and improving contact rates. He likely profiles as a second baseman long-term, but the bat will play regardless of where he ends up defensively. Boston adds a polished college bat with a clear path to the big leagues.
21. San Diego Padres: Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha (HS)
The Padres’ going prep lefty makes sense, and Schmidt fits perfectly here. He’s sitting 93-95 this spring with a changeup that has long been his best pitch and a slider that has taken a real step forward. Factor in his age and the remaining projection in his frame, and this feels like the right range. San Diego gets a potential mid-rotation arm with upside to spare.
22. Detroit Tigers: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
Helfrick is a legitimate first-round talent who might be going a little late. He’s been a consistent offensive performer throughout his college career and has improved both his walk and strikeout rates this season. Add in plus raw power and solid defensive ability behind the dish, and the profile is as clean as it gets at the catching position in this class.
23. Chicago Cubs: Chris Rembert, 2B, Auburn
One of the quickest bats in college baseball. The hands and wrists create real whip through the zone, and the tools are a bundle of major league average across the board. He’s a second baseman at the next level with good hands and clean actions, and the overall package is the kind of thing the Cubs’ development staff loves to work with.
INF Chris Rembert (@AuburnBaseball) notched 2 hits on a pair of liners into RCF, first w/ a 109 EV. ++ bat & hd spd, ball comes off screaming. Soph./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/cGrXdgHUtc
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 29, 202624. Seattle Mariners: Jensen Hirschkorn, RHP, Kingsburgh (HS)
Hirschkorn is a prep arm with legitimate top-of-the-rotation upside. The fastball is already sitting mid-90s with a tight breaking ball and a changeup, and there is significant projection remaining in his frame. He’s also shown the ability to perform (this isn’t just raw tools), which makes the ceiling even more enticing. Seattle adds a high-upside arm to a strong system.
25. Milwaukee Brewers: James Clark, SS, St. John Bosco (HS)
Clark came into the spring with one of the best prep hit tools on the board and has done nothing to change that. The athleticism is loud, the defensive profile at shortstop is legitimate, and the hit tool is as advanced as any prep player in the class. Milwaukee gets a potential franchise shortstop here.
26. Atlanta Braves: Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle (HS)
PPI pick for Drake Baldwin winning the NL Rookie of the Year
There is a ton of projection here. Plus body, easy left-handed swing, natural feel to hit that you can’t teach. The defensive home is tied to the physical development (he may end up at first base eventually), but the bat is the thing, and the bat is special. Atlanta gets a player with legitimate middle-of-the-order potential once the man strength arrives.
27. New York Mets: Blake Bowen, OF, JSerra Catholic (HS)
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding the top of the luxury-tax threshold.
Bowen is an absolute physical specimen with the best raw power in the prep class. The power plays to all fields with ease, and the athleticism is real. The floor is higher than you’d think for a prep bat this toolsy, and the ceiling is as high as anyone’s in this class. New York adds a middle-of-the-order thumper with a long, exciting runway.
28. Houston Astros: Chase Brunson, OF, TCU
PPI pick for Hunter Brown finishing in the top three in the AL Cy Young Award
It hasn’t been Brunson’s loudest spring, but the profile is still very much intact. The tools are as well-rounded as any college outfielder in the class. A strong physical build, genuine athleticism on both sides of the ball, and a bat that can do damage. Houston adds another college bat to complement Sorrell from earlier in the round.
2026 MLB Mock Draft: Competitive Balance Round A
All teams that have either one of the 10 smallest markets or 10 smallest revenue pools receive an additional pick at the end of the first or second round. The groups of teams alternate between the two rounds each year. These are the only picks that are eligible to be traded.
The Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, and Dodgers also each received a 10-pick penalty on their first selection for exceeding the second luxury-tax threshold, leaving their first picks as part of the Competitive Balance Round A.
29. Cleveland Guardians: Gabe Gaeckle, RHP, Arkansas
Gaeckle has the kind of lower launch delivery paired with a riding fastball that teams are paying premiums for right now. He can work mid-to-upper 90s and command it to the top of the zone, and the secondary arsenal is full and functional. He has a track record of starting and producing in the SEC, which is the most meaningful résumé a college pitcher can have.
30. Kansas City Royals: Will Brick, C, Christian Brothers (HS)
Brick is the top prep catcher on this board and goes here at the back of the first. The power is real, and the physicality is loud, and he has the catch-and-throw tools to stick behind the plate long term. Kansas City drafts well at this spot year after year, and Brick is exactly the kind of two-way catcher they covet.
‘27 C Will Brick (TN)Impressive look at the top backstop in the class belting exit velos up to 1️⃣0️⃣9️⃣ thanks to some impressive bat/hand speed. 6’2” 190. Country strong. #PBAAG25 || @PrepBaseballTN pic.twitter.com/eqnN9BB9jr
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 19, 202531. Arizona Diamondbacks: Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State
Carlon has made a strong case to be the top college lefty in this class this spring. A 3.05 ERA over 41.1 innings, 67 strikeouts, with a mid-to-upper 90s fastball delivered from a unique release angle and two swing-and-miss breaking balls. He’s been dominant against quality competition, and Arizona gets a potential top-of-the-rotation arm in a competitive supplemental round.
32. St. Louis Cardinals: Kaden Waechter, RHP, Jesuit (HS)
Waechter checks every box for a premium prep arm. Plus arm action, projectable command, present velo with room to grow, and big league bloodlines that suggest a built-in baseline for development. Prep right-handers are their own category of risk, but when they look like this, you draft them and let the development staff go to work.
33. Tampa Bay Rays: Kevin Roberts Jr., OF, Jackson Prep (HS)
Pick acquired from the Orioles in the Shane Baz trade.
Roberts is an absolute tool shed. Premium athlete, massive raw power, plus arm strength, and as much upside as anyone in this class. The hit tool is the question (it always is with profiles like this), but Tampa has made a living turning raw, physical outfielders into productive big leaguers. If Roberts’ bat ever catches up to the rest of the package, this is a steal.
34. Pittsburgh Pirates: Mason Edwards, LHP, USC
If not for Jackson Flora, Edwards might be the frontrunner for College Pitcher of the Year, and it isn’t particularly close. A 1.20 ERA over 45 innings, 79 strikeouts, smooth and athletic delivery, a riding low-to-mid 90s fastball, and a downer breaking ball that generates ugly whiffs. The Pirates land arguably the best college arm outside the top five. Tremendous value at 34.
Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images35. New York Yankees: Jake Brown, OF, LSU
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding the top of the luxury-tax threshold.
Brown has been generating real steam lately and is vaulting into first-round conversations for good reason. The power is emerging in a bigger way this spring; swing decisions are cleaner, and contact rates are trending upward. There’s also a legitimate arm attached, which expands the defensive profile. New York adds a projectable bat with a rising floor.
36. Philadelphia Phillies: Joseph Contreras, RHP, Blessed Trinity (HS)
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding the top of the luxury-tax threshold.
Contreras is 17 years old and already getting his fastball to 99 mph. He induced a double play off Aaron Judge on national television in the WBC for Brazil. He followed that with five hitless innings and nine strikeouts in his next high school start. The five-pitch mix, the frame, and the advanced velo at his age make a first-round grade very easy to give. The Phillies land a potential high-leverage arm.
37. Colorado Rockies: Aiden Robbins, OF, Texas
Robbins has been mashing all spring, and his stock is quietly rising. The plus power has been showing up consistently, not just in patches, and the athleticism gives him a legitimate shot to handle all three outfield spots. The Rockies add a third outfield bat in this draft class and a player who could force his way up boards if the spring continues the way it’s gone.
38. Colorado Rockies: Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame
Radel’s stock has surged. Added functional strength over the offseason, and it’s showing up on the mound with a fastball sitting mid-90s deep into starts, a wipeout slider, and a changeup that has taken a real step forward. The starter’s package is there, and he’s been performing. Colorado hits a streak of value picks late in the supplemental round.
Jack Radel is making strides ?The @NDBaseball righthander owns a 2.77 ERA through 26 innings, with a 35.6% K rate and 5.9% walk rate.He has scouts talking about him in the first three rounds of the 2026 draft ?(?@NDBaseball) pic.twitter.com/Ar6EWCk7iX
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) March 19, 202639. Toronto Blue Jays: Sean Duncan, LHP, Terry Fox Secondary (HS)
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding the top of the luxury-tax threshold.
Duncan is the top Canadian prep arm in the class and stays home with the Blue Jays here at 39. Athletic left-hander, mid-90s fastball, advanced feel for the changeup, quality two-plane slider. There’s projection remaining and a natural development path in the Toronto system. This one just makes sense on every level.
40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah (HS)
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding the top of the luxury-tax threshold.
Condon is one of the cleanest prep hit tools in the class. The barrel stays in the zone for a long time, the left-handed swing is beautiful, and the bat-to-ball ability is elite for his age. There’s a legitimate impact there, too, and enough athleticism to project in center field. It’s hard to see him slipping past 40, and the Dodgers would be thrilled to land him here.
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