First Round Selections and Trends
The initial round of the 2026 MLB Draft featured a notable preference for college athletes. Out of 26 true first-round selections, only eight were high school players. This trend aligns with expectations, as the industry has shown a consistent move away from drafting high school pitchers in the first round. Just two high school pitchers were selected in the first round, with seven more chosen by the end of the second round.
The draft’s early picks largely consisted of highly-rated players. Through pick 19, all selected individuals were ranked within the top 42 by one evaluator, indicating they were considered at least top-of-the-second-round talents. However, beginning with pick 20, the selections became less predictable.
Team Performances and Key Picks
The Chicago White Sox had a strong start to the draft. They held the No. 1 pick and the second pick in every subsequent round. Additionally, they acquired pick 34 through a trade. Their selections included UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, high school hitters Landon Thome and Cole Prosek, and Georgia right-hander Joey Volchko. Their final pick was Oregon State right-hander Eric Segura.
The Colorado Rockies focused on up-the-middle players, selecting Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell and Cincinnati catcher Jack Natili. They also picked Golden Spikes winner Daniel Jackson from Georgia and UCLA right-hander Logan Reddemann. One evaluator noted that Bell was considered underrated due to playing with an injury but was still among the top hitters in the SEC.
The Kansas City Royals selected Louisville outfielder Zion Rose at No. 6. Rose is recognized as a strong pure hitter and a good athlete. They also drafted right-hander Taylor Rabe from Mississippi and left-hander Maxx Yehl from West Virginia Mountaineers, who returned from Tommy John surgery. The Minnesota Twins selected Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the third pick, followed by Carson Tinney from Texas with the 43rd pick. Their later picks included pitchers Brett Renfrow, Tommy LaPour, and Ethan Wachsmann.
Value Picks and Surprises
Among the best value picks on Day 1 was high school catcher Will Brick, selected by the Blue Jays in the fourth round at pick No. 131. He was ranked significantly higher by one evaluator, making him a notable acquisition. Brick, committed to Mississippi State, was considered the top high school catcher in the draft class, known for his defensive potential and bat speed.
Another high-value selection was UCLA infielder Roman Martin, who went to the A’s in the fourth round at pick No. 111. Martin, a natural shortstop, played third base in college but is expected to return to shortstop in professional baseball. His selection was seen as a strong move for the Athletics.
The draft also saw some unexpected selections. North Carolina shortstop Jake Schaffner was picked at No. 20 by the Boston Red Sox, a pick that was considered a reach by one pre-draft ranking. Additionally, two unranked players, high school shortstop Trey Ebel to the Milwaukee Brewers and Indiana State outfielder Carter Beck to Atlanta, were selected at picks 25 and 26, respectively. Beck’s selection was particularly surprising, given he was projected to go in the third to fifth round.
The Tampa Bay Rays selected Grady Emerson, a high school player. The Mets’ first selection was right-hander Carson Wiggins, who had an internal brace procedure last spring but chose not to pitch for Arkansas this year, making him available to pitch immediately upon signing.
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Source: nytimes.com
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
