The 2026 MLB draft is less than two months away, occurring July 11-12 as part of the All-Star Weekend festivities in Philadelphia.
UCLA star Roch Cholowsky has solidified his status as the top prospect in this year’s draft class, producing at an elite level and showing a well-rounded toolset this spring. He has an advanced approach with an exciting combination of average and power at the plate, and the defensive skills to remain at shortstop in pro ball.
Texas prep shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey solidify the top tier of prospects in the draft class.
There is significant parity throughout this year’s draft class, with strong depth among college position players and several intriguing college pitchers. However, beyond UC Santa Barbara righty Jackson Flora, many of the top college arms lack the health, consistency and proven track record clubs typically seek.
Here is a mock draft for the first round of the 2026 MLB draft:
1. White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
2. Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth (Texas) Christian HS
3. Twins: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
4. Giants: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver (Fla.) Prep
5. Pirates: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
6. Royals: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas (Fla.) HS
7. Orioles: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
8. Athletics: Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
9. Braves: Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove (Miss.) HS
10. Rockies: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
11. Nationals: Jared Grindlinger, OF/LHP, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS
12. Angels: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
13. Cardinals: Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
14. Marlins: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
15. Diamondbacks: Trevor Condon, CF, Etowah (Ga.) HS
16. Rangers: Sawyer Strosnider, CF, TCU
17. Astros: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
18. Reds: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
19. Guardians: A.J. Gracia, OF, Virginia
20. Red Sox: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
21. Padres: Brody Bumila, LHP, Bishop Feehan (Mass.) HS
22. Tigers: Aiden Ruiz, SS, The Stony Brook (N.Y.) School
23. Cubs: Mason Edwards, LHP, USC
24. Mariners: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
25. Brewers: Zion Rose, OF, Louisville
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 11 years. He has interviewed 613 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as an “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
