2026 MLB Mock Draft 2.0

1. White Sox: SS Roch Cholowsky, UCLA

No surprise here. Roch Cholowsky might be the best collegiate shortstop to come through the draft since Troy Tulowitzki. He's got the chance to develop into a plus hitter with plus power, all while being a true difference maker with the glove at shortstop. He’s been nothing short of what we expected to start off the 2026 season - potentially even better. Cholowsky will most likely slot in as the number one prospect in the White Sox system, possibly a top 10 prospect in all of baseball right off the bat.

2. Rays: SS Grady Emerson, Fort Worth Christian (TX)

Tampa Bay has really targeted up the middle profiles with standout hit tools in recent draft classes, and they would be ecstatic to select Grady Emerson here. Most agree that Emerson has the best hit tool in the prep class, and you could argue that he has the chance to grow into above average or better tools across the board. This feels like a great fit.

3. Twins: SS Justin Lebron, Alabama

The Twins have drafted heavily from the college ranks over the past few drafts, and Justin Lebron’s toolset may just be too flashy to ignore with this high of a draft pick. Lebron might already possess 4 plus tools in his power, glove, arm, and run. Bat-to-ball skills and chasing too much outside the zone have been major questions in the past, but it seems as if the approach has taken promising steps forward in 2026. There will still be some swing-and-miss questions to answer once in SEC play, but Lebron has looked every bit deserving of a top 5 selection thus far.

4. Giants: RHP Jackson Flora, UC Santa Barbara

Flora was the buzziest draft name in the country following a standout opening day performance where he was up to 100 mph while flashing a more complete arsenal and multiple standout secondary pitches. The Giants would be excited to get the best college pitcher in the class here at number 4, continuing to lean on the college-heavy trend that they’ve been following as of late. If they elect to go with a bat, the two best available are both outfielders in AJ Gracia and Drew Burress.

5. Pirates: OF AJ Gracia, Virginia

While it’s rare that a team actually “drafts for need” the Pirates have a perfect opportunity to take a college bat that could contribute in their competitive window. Gracia fits the mold of what teams tend to look for nowadays for an advanced bat at the top of a draft class, with exceptional contact and plate discipline skills, along with the potential to grow into plus power in pro ball. With Gracia’s hot start to 2026, it’s looking more and more likely that he won’t stay on the board long.

6. Royals: LHP Carson Bolemon, Southside Christian (SC)

The Royals haven’t been afraid of taking big swings, and that includes the territory of taking a high school arm early on in the draft. While selecting a prep pitcher with a first round pick can be a scary thought for some, Bolemon is as polished as they come. It’s an exceptionally extensive track record of performance against high level bats, and stuff that projects to translate at the next level. Gio Rojas could be of thought here depending on which of the two they like the most.

7. Orioles: OF Sawyer Strosnider, TCU

Baltimore has leaned heavily into the college bat demographic over the past few drafts, and continue on that trend here taking Sawyer Strosnider. You could argue that if Strosnider improves his approach he could be a star in the making. He could potentially end up with 3 plus tools in his power, arm, and run, and his in-zone contact rates are promising. Strosnider also has a solid shot of sticking in center field, and if not he’ll be a quality defender at a corner.

8. Athletics: 3B Ace Reese, Mississippi State

The Athletics stick to their recent trend of drafting players close to Major League contribution, and select Ace Reese. One of the best hitters in the SEC, Reese checks a ton of boxes and figures to develop into an above average hitter with potentially plus power. He’s off to a smoking hot start in 2026, and though there are some defensive questions, the bat will more than play enough at the next level for a team to take him early.

9. Braves: SS Jacob Lombard, Gulliver Prep (FL)

The Braves go high school shortstop with their first pick for two years in a row, taking Jacob Lombard here at number 9. Lombard may have the highest ceiling in this entire draft class. He’s a 70 runner with plus or better raw power, and actions and range that could make him a plus defender at the shortstop position. There are still big concerns around the swing-and-miss in his game, but the Braves haven’t been afraid of hunting upside. There are two tails with this type of prospect, we’ve seen that with the varying cases of Elijah Green and Konor Griffin in recent years. If the Braves can figure out a way to improve the hit tool to a sustainable level, we could be talking about a potential star.

10. Rockies: OF Drew Burress, Georgia Tech

Colorado has approached the draft to an interesting degree in recent years, shooting for huge impact potential bats such as Ethan Holliday and Charlie Condon. With some new leadership, the Rockies could approach this draft from a number of different ways, but drafting a well rounded college bat surely isn’t a bad choice in this spot. Burress has a long track record of hitting high caliber competition, with impact that projects to translate to the next level and a possibility of sticking in center field. While the swing and size may cause concerns for some, you simply can’t pass on a player of his caliber at this pick.

11. Nationals: RHP Cameron Flukey, Coastal Carolina

Flukey is set to be sidelined for two months due to a rib injury, which will harm his draft stock, but his track record is solid enough across two years that you can still feel somewhat confident taking him with this pick. It's a combination of present stuff, projection, and strike-throwing that few can match, and clay to dream of potentially developing into a front of the line starter.

12. Angels: SS Chris Hacopian, Texas A&M

The Angels are notorious for selecting pro-ready college players early and attempting to fast track them, and Chris Hacopian fits right along those lines. Hacopian is one of the more complete bats in this entire draft class. It’s a distinguished hit tool and loud raw power that could potentially translate into 25+ homerun output (though his feel for lifting the baseball will have to improve). While he’s likely to shift over to third base in pro ball, the bat will be the calling card here.

13. Cardinals: SS Tyler Spangler, De La Salle (CA)

The Cardinals were rumored to be in on one of the prep shortstops with their number 5 overall selection last year, but ended up taking Tennessee left-hander Liam Doyle with that pick. This year they have a great prep shortstop sitting here at number 13 with Tyler Spangler, and don’t miss the opportunity. Spangler has added on considerable mass going into the spring, and looks to tap into more of his raw power at the plate than he has in the past. The hit tool and approach stand out, but a bigger emphasis of getting the ball in the air could unlock another gear for the California shortstop.

14. Marlins: LHP Gio Rojas, Stoneman Douglas (FL)

The Marlins are lucky enough to get Gio Rojas here at pick 14, who has fallen due to a run on college talent early on. Rojas is considered by some (including us) as a top 10 talent, and you could make a legit argument for him or Carson Bolemon as the number one southpaw in the class. Rojas’s stuff is electric with a fastball that has touched 98 from a low slot, along with a changeup and slider that both grade out as above average or better offerings.

15. Diamondbacks: C Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech

We had this pick going the exact same way in our first mock draft. The Diamondbacks have drafted players with standout hit tools at premium positions with their first picks over the past few drafts, and would be getting the best backstop in the class in Vahn Lackey here. Lackey has a chance to be an ultra-rare five tool catcher, and would be a really fun pick here at number 15.

16. Rangers: OF Eric Booth Jr., Oak Grove (MS)

Booth is one of the more metrically appealing players in the draft class with 70 grade run times, exceptional athletic testing, bat speed, and above average bat-to-ball skills. He’ll also grade out well on models due to the fact that he’ll be turning 18 just around the time of the draft. Similar to the Rangers first round pick in 2025, Gavin Fien, Booth has an unorthodox swing that has raised some questions, but the Rangers clearly aren’t fazed by that narrative.

17. Astros: SS Tyler Bell, Kentucky

Bell has a chance to be long gone before this pick, but a left shoulder injury in the first game of the year with no immediate return timeline has left quite a bit of skepticism around what the 2026 season holds for the Kentucky shortstop. Still, the upside on what could become a smattering of above average tools across the board is quite clear.

18. Reds: OF Derek Curiel, LSU

The Reds opt to go for the best player available, snagging LSU’s star outfielder Derek Curiel. While the impact may be a cause for concern, you know what you’re going to get with Curiel. A patient hitter with elite bat-to-ball skills and a potential future in center field.

19. Guardians: OF Caden Sorrell, Texas A&M

Sorrell had arguably the loudest opening weekend out of any hitter in the country, hitting three home runs, whilst peaking with exit velocities north of 114 mph. The strikeouts have still proven to be an issue early, even while facing middling competition Sorrell has still struggled. Time will tell where he ends up on boards, but the potential of drafting a player with superstar upside is likely to keep him inside the first round. This would be an especially cool pick considering the Guardians took Sorrell’s former teammate, Jace Laviolette, with their first pick in last year's draft.

20. Red Sox: RHP Liam Peterson, Florida

The Red Sox have leaned heavily into college arms early on in recent draft classes, and in this mock draft they do the same. Liam Peterson had a shaky first start of the year, but bounced back better than ever against Kennesaw State, looking the most dominant we’ve seen the Florida ace in quite some time. There is a chance he is gone much before this pick if he can show strides with the command, but his loud stuff gives him a pretty high floor draft-wise regardless.

21. Padres: SS James Clark, St. John Bosco (CA)

Toolsy, high upside prep players is what San Diego has targeted in recent draft classes, and Clark checks those boxes while also providing a solid floor with his ability to put the bat on the ball at a high clip. While he’s not a slugger now, Clark has bat speed and twitch that could eventually lead him to grow into average or better power, though an organization will have to figure out how to better unlock it in game. If the Padres are content in selecting an arm, Logan Schmidt is also an awesome fit here.

22. Tigers: OF Blake Bowen, JSerra Catholic (CA)

Few players in the country had as loud a summer as Bowen. Big and physical, the tools here are matched by few. Plus run times, plus arm strength and the potential for plus or better raw power? The Tigers would love this addition to an already stacked farm system.

23. Cubs: SS Eric Becker, Virginia

Nothing screams Cubs more than a high floor college bat. Becker has a strong performance record across his years at Virginia, with a pure left-handed swing that projects to translate well at the next level. This is a solid player across the board.

24. Mariners: LHP Logan Schmidt, Ganesha (CA)

The Mariners get extremely lucky here, with what some consider to be a top 15 talent in the draft reaching them at number 24. With how well the Mariners have developed pitching prospects, this is honestly a best case scenario for both parties. Schmidt has been up to 97 with two secondaries that could both end up above average, along with plenty of feel for all three of his pitches. This would be a steal.

25. Brewers: LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger, Huntington Beach (CA)

The Brewers land an Area Code alumni in the intriguing two-way talent of Jared Grindlinger, one of the younger players in the entire draft class. There is a chance that Grindlinger ends up much higher or lower than this on draft day considering his reclassification is extremely recent and he’s a tougher player to evaluate, but it’s clear first round talent. Milwaukee will have a tough decision on their hands on whether to continue the two-way journey or focus firmly on just one side of the ball, though in our opinion it would be hard to choose which one.

26. Braves: RHP Tegan Kuhns, Tennessee

The Braves double dip into the pitching class, electing to take University of Tennessee ace Tegan Kuhns. Kuhns is off to a great start in 2026, seemingly adding more carry to a fastball that was already considered a plus pitch from an even lower approach angle. If he pitches well in SEC play, he could end up going even earlier than this.

27. Mets: OF/SS Kevin Roberts Jr., Jackson Prep (MS)

The Mets shoot for the moon here at pick number 27, taking Kevin Roberts Jr., one of the higher upside bats in the class. With exceptional bat speed, above average bat-to-ball skills and plus run times, the tools are more than real. The contact quality may have to improve, but there’s a chance that Roberts ends up one of the steals of the draft if in the right development system. Him also playing shortstop this spring adds another intriguing layer to his profile, though he’s still likely an outfielder at the next level.

28. Astros: RHP Gabe Gaeckle, Arkansas

The Astros follow up their first pick of Tyler Bell by taking the top available college arm in Gabe Gaeckle. The Arkansas ace looks to be handling starting duties slightly better in 2026, and could be a fast moving college arm that could make an impact at the big league level early.

29. Guardians: RHP Jensen Hirschkorn, Kingsburg (CA)

The Guardians continue to lean into a strong pitching class, this time landing potentially the top prep right-hander in the class. Hirschkorn has exceptional projection, body control down the mound, and feel for three pitches, two of which could end up as plus.

30. Royals: OF Aiden Robbins, Texas

The Royals take one of the buzziest college hitters in the country at the moment in Aiden Robbins, a Seton Hall transfer who has made his presence felt in the middle of the Longhorns lineup. Robbins has at least solid-average tools across the board and has flashed an exciting power/speed combination this spring in center field. If the hit tool holds throughout SEC play, Robbins could find his way off the board before this.

31. Diamondbacks: SS Aiden Ruiz, The Stony Brook (NY)

Aiden Ruiz fits the exact mold of what the Diamondbacks have looked for early in past draft classes. Undersized, athletic, feel to hit, this is the exact type of player mocked to the Dbacks year after year and who they actually end up taking. Not to mention Ruiz may be the best defensive shortstop in the draft class. This would be an awesome fit.

32. Cardinals: RHP Joey Volchko, Georgia

Following the aggressive pick of Liam Doyle a year ago, the Cardinals take another intriguing college arm in Joey Volchko, who has one of the more interesting, yet explosive arsenals in all of college baseball.

33. Rays: 2B Chris Rembert, Auburn

Rembert was hurt and missed some of the first few weeks of the year, but he’s back and healthy again headed into SEC play. Rembert is a high floor college bat with a solid hit tool and more power he could grow into. While he is likely a second baseman at the next level, this is still a really good get in the Comp A round.

34. Pirates: RHP Coleman Borthwick, South Walton (FL)

The Pirates land who some consider the best prep righty in the class here at pick 34, adding to an exciting top 5 selection of AJ Gracia. They’ve done a really good job of developing prep pitching talent as of late, and adding the 6 foot 6 Borthwick into that development system would be a scary sight to see. He’s been up to 98 with a heater that features riding life, paired with a plus slider that could be one of the best in the class. Not to mention he’s a really solid strike-thrower.

35. Yankees: C Will Brick, Christian Brothers (TN)

Brick is unfortunately one of the biggest sliders in this mock draft, making it all the way to pick 35. Yankees fans are sure to be excited though, as Brick has a chance to be one of the better prep catchers in recent draft classes. He features plus or better arm strength, has a chance to develop into at least an above average defender behind the plate, and features some pretty loud raw power and bat speed. The hit tool here isn’t too shabby either, though Brick didn’t face the same level of competition over the summer as some considering he reclassified late (but he did participate with Team USA in Japan).

36. Phillies: RHP Kaden Waechter, Tampa Jesuit (FL)

The Phillies continue to lean into the high school demographic, this time selecting the son of former big leaguer Doug Waechter in Kaden Waechter. Waechter is a polished righty with a clean operation who gets down the mound exceptionally well. He features a high spin fastball, a tighter cutter/slider and a fading changeup.

37. Rockies: OF Chase Brunson, TCU

The Rockies have back-to-back picks here, and start it off with TCU’s Chase Brunson. The outfielder has at least solid-average tools across the board, and could end up becoming an above average hitter at the next level. This is a relatively “safe” college profile.

38. Rockies: C Ryder Helfrick, Arkansas

Helfrick is considered by some as the top catcher in the class due to his potentially plus power and defensive prowess behind the plate. There are some major swing-and-miss issues that Helfrick will need to put to bed throughout the 2026 season, but this is still a profile loaded with value. If the bat-to-ball skills improve, Helfrick has top 20 pick upside.

39. Blue Jays: SS Connor Comeau, Anderson (TX)

This is a really fun selection for the Blue Jays. They take Connor Comeau, a long, projectable left-handed hitter with promising upside at the plate. He has the chance to develop into an above average hitter with above average power, though like others on this list the feel for lifting the baseball will have to improve. There were major questions on Comeau’s ability to stick on the dirt, but improved footwork and actions this spring make it look more and more likely that he could end up at second or third base long-term.

40. Dodgers: C Carson Tinney, Texas

The Dodgers take a big swing here, selecting Texas catcher Carson Tinney, one of the more powerful bats in the country. Tinney has 70 grade raw power with feel for lifting the baseball to his pull side. The hit tool may concern some, but the Dodgers have been a team that isn’t afraid to hunt for upside early. Tinney will also add some value behind the plate, where he has one of the best throwing arms out of any catcher in the country.