Way-Too-Early 2026 MLB Mock Draft
via MLB PR
The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft will take place on a new night next year. In a change where the event was previously being held on Sunday and Monday, night one will now take place on Saturday July 11th; live from Philadelphia in advance of All Star Week. The first three rounds are expected to take place on Saturday with rounds 4-20 finishing up on Sunday.
The Chicago White Sox have landed the first overall pick. The had the best odds with a 27.7% chance but it’s the first time in the lottery system that the team with the top odds will choose first. The Tampa Bay Rays will pick 2nd overall overall followed by the Minnesota Twins at third. The San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals vaulted into the top six while the Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels were in the penalty box.
Bonus pools haven’t been announced yet but they’re expected to increase once again. The Colorado Rockies will have the first pick in rounds 2-20 and the White Sox will choose second in those rounds. In newly minted mock drafts throughout the industry, a consensus top three has formed in the early going.
Here is my Way-Too-Early Mock Draft for 2026.
1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
Cholowsky is the consensus top player in the class right now as the 6-2, 195 pound shortstop was the best player in college baseball as a sophomore. The right-handed hitter is the son of a long time scout and he was a two sport standout while also playing quarterback for Hamilton High School in Arizona. Cholowsky might be the best college shortstop since Troy Tulowitzki and he posted a 1.190 OPS with 23 homers as a sophomore. He’s a plus defender with a plus arm and 70 raw power. This pick could be franchise altering for the White Sox.
2. Tampa Bay Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (TX)
Emerson is a prototypical Texas prep standout and he’s the best high school player in the class. The 6-2, 180 pound left-handed hitter will stick at shortstop and he possesses advanced offensive ability. He’ll be 18-years-old on draft day and he has the potential to hit 25 homers with premium makeup. Moving up in the class and landing this level of player is a huge victory for Tampa Bay.
3. Minnesota Twins: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Early in 2025, Justin Lebron looked like the favorite to go #1 overall in the 2026 draft. Lebron is an explosive athlete who will stay at shortstop with plus tools. There are some hit tool and approach concerns but he’s expected to become the highest pick in Crimson Tide history.
4. San Francisco Giants: AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia
Buster Posey opts for a college hitter here and Gracia could rise throughout the process. He’s an outfielder who makes great swing decisions with plus contact skills. The Virginia product walks often with a great approach and he could potentially stay in center field.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates: Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
Derek Curiel can really hit. There are some power questions but the left-handed hitter displays excellent bat-to-ball skills. He has drawn Christian Yelich comparisons and he likely plays center field for the Tigers this year.
6. Kansas City Royals: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS (SC)
Scouting director Brian Bridges loves prep left-handed pitching and there are a few good ones in this class. Bolemon is a 6-4, 210 pound southpaw who projects as a future top of the rotation starter. He dominated the showcase circuit and served as the ace of the US National Team.
7. Baltimore Orioles: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS (FL)
There are some hit tool questions with Lombard but the ceiling is extremely high. Lombard is a premium athlete who plays a premium position and he’ll fit in nicely with the Orioles young core.
8. Athletics: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
Flukey looks like the best college starter available at this juncture. The righty from Coastal Carolina is a strike thrower who throws 98 mph with multiple plus offerings. The 6-6, 210 pounder possesses swing and miss stuff and should be a quick mover to the big leagues.
9. Atlanta Braves: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
The 5-9, 180 pound outfielder has hit 44 homers in his first two college seasons. Burress has displayed plus power and likely stays in center field but there are some hit tool concerns. The Braves should know him very well.
10. Colorado Rockies: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
This is a great outcome for the Rockies. Peterson might be the best college pitcher in the class and the 6-5, 205 pounder pounds the zone with high octane stuff while having projection remaining.
11. Washington Nationals: Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle HS (CA)
Spangler is a northern California prep with a premium hit tool. The 6-3 infielder had lots of success on the showcase circuit in the summer. Some scouts believe that he could stick at shortstop as well.
12. Los Angeles Angels: Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU
Strosnider is a premium athlete with huge raw power. The Angels are in an interesting spot with a lower pick than needed. The outfielder should stick in center field but there are glaring chase rate concerns.
13. St. Louis Cardinals: Rocco Maniscalco, SS, Oxford HS (AL)
Maniscalco has reclassified from 2027 and he’ll be just 17 on draft day. The Alabama prep is a switch-hitting shortstop with an advanced approach at the plate. First pick of the Chaim Bloom era in St. Louis.
14. Miami Marlins: Chris Hacopian, SS, Texas A&M
Hacopian is a plus hitter who controls the strike zone. It’s a hit over power profile and he’s likely to move off shortstop as a professional. Marlins have loaded up on college hitters lately.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS (FL)
Rojas could go much higher than this and he might be the top prep pitcher in the class. The 6-4, 190 pound southpaw shows a high 90’s fastball with a plus sweeping slider. Rojas is an athlete with a mound presence and he profiles as a top of the rotation arm.
16. Texas Rangers: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
The switch-hitting shortstop is one of the best draft eligible sophomores available in the class. Bell is a definite shortstop with speed and potential 20 homer pop.
17. Houston Astros: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
Lackey is the best catcher in the class and he’s the starting backstop for Team USA. The 6-2, 200 pounder displays a patient approach with all fields contact and 20 home run potential.
18. Cincinnati Reds: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Flora throws his fastball in the high 90’s and touches triple digits with two plus sliders as well. The 6-5, 205 pounder profiles as a mid-rotation starter.
19. Cleveland Guardians: Ace Reese, 3B, Texas A&M
Reese fits the recent trend of the Guardians’ front office. The infielder has defensive questions but he hit 21 homers last year for the Bulldogs. Reese possesses bat speed and was very successful in the Cape Cod League but he’s a below-average athlete.
20. Boston Red Sox: Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M
Sorrell is a 6-3, 205 pound left-handed hitting outfielder with 30 homer upside. He displays bat speed, strength and plus power. A center field future is possible with plus speed and he cut down his strikeout rate as a sophomore.
21. San Diego Padres: Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha HS (CA)
Schmidt is a another prep lefty that fits the AJ Preller playbook. The 6-4, 215 pounder fills up the zone and repeats his delivery well. The California prep was stellar on the showcase circuit with a premium fastball and multiple breaking balls.
22. Detroit Tigers: Trevor Condon, OF, Etowan HS (GA)
Condon is a 5-11, 175 pound left-handed hitter from Georgia. The prep provides hitting ability and plus plus speed with stellar center field defense. Tigers have been very prep heavy of late.
23. Chicago Cubs: Eric Becker, SS, Virginia
Becker is a left-handed hitting infielder with a plus-plus hit tool. Currently a shortstop, he might have to move as a professional. Becker has a great approach with bat-to-ball skills and he doesn’t chase often. He’s the third baseman for Team USA currently.
24. Seattle Mariners: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
Dietz could go much higher than this and end up as the top lefty in the class. The 6-6, 235 pounder was excellent this fall after two years in relief and injured. It’s a premium fastball with a plus curveball but there’s a limited track record here.
25. Milwaukee Brewers: Gavin Grahovec, 3B, Texas A&M
Grahovec hit 23 homers as a freshman and missed most of 2025. The 6-2, 220 pounder possesses plus-plus raw power from the right side with an aggressive approach. He’s a corner profile with major swing and miss concerns.
26. Atlanta Braves (PPI Selection): Kaeden Waechter, RHP, Jesuit HS (FL)
Prep righty with athleticism, projection and feel for pitching. Waechter displays great command but has above-average stuff as well with an easy and repeatable delivery.
27. New York Mets (10 pick drop): Gabe Gaeckle, RHP, Arkansas
Gaeckle is a small righty with electric stuff. There are command issues and he’ll need to prove that he can start but this is solid upside for the Mets at this point in round one.
28. Houston Astros (PPI Selection): Caden Bogenpohl, OF, Missouri State:
Bogenpohl is a 6-6, 245 pound outfielder with plus-plus left-handed power. He’s a physical player who walks a lot as well but there are significant swing and miss concerns with a corner outfield profile.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks (Comp for Zac Gallen): Aiden Ruiz, SS, Stony Brook HS (NY)
Ruiz is the best defensive shortstop in the prep class and he was the starter for Team USA. The 5-10, 170 pounder is a switch-hitter who makes lots of contact.
30. Cleveland Guardians (Comp A): Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State
Carlon has been a reliever who is converting to a starting role this year. The southpaw was good on The Cape and he’ll be in contention as top college lefty with a four pitch mix.
31. Kansas City Royals (Comp A): Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
Helfrick has advanced defensive skills and power. He could go higher than this as a college catcher.
32. Arizona Diamondbacks (Comp A): Zion Rose, OF, Louisville
Rose is a 6-1, 210 physical right-handed hitter who displays premium exit velocities and bat speed. Rose profiles in an outfield corner and needs to increase his power though.
33. St. Louis Cardinals (Comp A): Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS (FL)
A 6-6, 255 pound righty from Florida who impressed over the summer. Borthwick possesses size, pitch mix and makeup with a plus fastball and above-average slider. He was a two-way player with real offensive skills as well but his future will be on the mound.
34. Baltimore Orioles (Comp A): Chris Rembert, 2B, Auburn
The next college bat to the Orioles. Rembert is a fine second base defender with an advanced approach who manages the zone. He might have 15 homer potential.
35. Pittsburgh Pirates (Comp A): Jensen Hirschkorn, RHP, Kingsburg HS (CA)
Hirschkorn is a Northern California prep with size, athleticism and projection in a three pitch mix. The 6-7, 205 pound righty is a basketball player with an LSU commit.
36. New York Yankees (10 pick drop): Tommy LaPour, RHP, TCU
LaPour is a Wichita State transfer with a 100 mph fastball. The 6-4, 230 impound righty had a 23% strikeout rate last year.
37. Philadelphia Phillies (10 pick drop): Ryan Lynch, RHP, North Carolina
Lynch is a 6-3, 235 pound righty with a 97 mph fastball. He shows a low release height in his delivery with a 27.5% strikeout rate.
38. Colorado Rockies (Comp A): Maddux Molony, SS, Oregon
Molony might be the best prospect in the pacific northwest with bat speed and an athletic frame. The 6-2, 200 pounder should have more power to come with the potential to stay up the middle.
39. Colorado Rockies (2nd Round): Blake Bowen, OF, JSerra HS (CA)
Bowen is a tool shed former football player who stood out in summer showcase events. The 6-3, 215 pounder possesses 70 grade power with center field potential.
40. Toronto Blue Jays (10 pick drop): Eric Booth, OF, Oak Grove HS (MS)
Booth is a Mississippi prep with premium speed. He makes consistent contact with an unorthodox swing and setup but he still has 20-25 homer potential.
41. Los Angeles Dodgers (10 pick drop): Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
Kuhns could go much higher as the best sophomore eligible starting pitcher available. The Tennessee hurler pumps his fastball up to 98 mph with multiple plus offerings. Kuhns has top of the rotation potential but he needs some refinement.
White Sox Draft Picks
42. Chicago White Sox (2nd round): Brady Harris, OF, Trinity Christian HS (FL)
The White Sox take advantage of their significant bonus pool space and nab one of the most intriguing prep players in the class. Harris displays bat speed and power potential and could be a middle-of-the-order bat in the future. The Jacksonville prep has plus speed and a 70-grade arm. He’s not a lock to stay in center field but it’s an offensive profile that would work in a corner.
79. Chicago White Sox (3rd round): Savion Sims, RHP, Prestonwood Christian HS (TX)
Sims will be 19-years-old on draft day but he’s the most electric arm in the high school class. The Oklahoma commit was a member of the White Sox’s Area Codes Team and the 6-8, 205 pound righty reaches 100 mph with his fastball. He displays big velocity with arm speed in a low effort delivery. The secondary pitches need work and the command must improve as well but this is a very high upside swing.
I would actually prefer Grady Emerson at this point. Sox aren’t going to win in the next couple of years. Get as many top people as possible. This could save some money and then push Trevor Condon down to 42?