The 2026 MLB draft is this weekend. At Baseball Prospect Journal, Dan Zielinski and Logan Quinton have actively covered the draft prospects in this year’s class.
The two Baseball Prospect Journal writers have conducted a staff draft for the first time this draft cycle. A staff draft is different than a traditional mock draft. The results tend to be a personal preference over what actually might happen. We are making the picks based on our evaluations of each prospect and what we would do if we were selecting for that specific team.
Here is a look at our staff draft for the 2026 MLB draft cycle:
DZ: 1. White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
LQ: 2. Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian (TX)
DZ: 3. Twins: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
LQ: 4. Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
DZ: 5. Pirates: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep (Fla.)
LQ: 6. Royals: Eric Booth, Jr., OF, Oak Grove (Miss.)
DZ: 7. Orioles: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
LQ: 8. Athletics: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
DZ: 9. Braves: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas (Fla.) HS
LQ: 10. Rockies: Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
DZ: 11. Nationals: Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah (Ga.) HS
LQ: 12. Angels: Jared Grindlinger, LHP, Huntington Beach (Calif.)
DZ: 13. Cardinals: AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia
LQ: 14. Marlins: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
DZ: 15. Diamondbacks: Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
LQ: 16. Rangers: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
DZ: 17. Astros: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
LQ: 18. Reds: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
DZ: 19. Guardians: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
LQ: 20. Red Sox: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
DZ: 21. Padres: Bo Lowrance, 3B, Christ Church Episcopal (S.C.) HS
LQ: 22. Tigers: Zion Rose, OF, Louisville
DZ: 23. Cubs: Aiden Robbins, OF, Texas
LQ: 24. Mariners: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
DZ: 25. Brewers: Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU
LQ: 26. Braves: Eric Becker, SS, Virginia
DZ: 27. Mets: Logan Hughes, OF, Texas Tech
LQ: 28. Astros: Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M
DZ: 29. Giants: Mason Edwards, LHP, USC
LQ: 30. Royals: Cade Townsend, RHP, Ole Miss
DZ: 31. Diamondbacks: Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State
LQ: 32. Cardinals: Logan Reddemann, RHP, UCLA
DZ: 33. Rays: Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia
LQ: 34. Pirates: Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha (Calif.)
DZ: 35. Yankees: Cole Prosek, 3B, Magnolia Heights (Miss.) HS
LQ: 36. Phillies: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian (S.C.)
DZ: 37. Rockies: Ben Blair, RHP, Liberty
Thoughts on the staff draft from Logan Quinton: The first thing that stands out in this mock is Flora landing with the Giants. If Cholowsky is selected with the first overall pick, that could pave the way for the top pitcher in the class to remain in California. Buster Posey would likely be thrilled to add an arm projected to thrive in professional baseball and move quickly through the farm system.
Two Tennessee commits go back-to-back just outside the top 10. That wouldn’t be surprising. Grindlinger and Condon begin the second tier of prep position players in this class. With Grindlinger, you can place him in the same category as Rojas and Schmidt because of his two-way ability. The Huntington Beach standout has plus tools as both a pitcher and position player. Condon offers plenty of tools despite his compact frame and projects as a plus defender in either the infield or outfield. Both the Nationals and Angels have shown a willingness to draft prep talent, making this a realistic scenario.
Aside from the run of 12 consecutive college players, Bo Lowrance going to the Padres stands out. There has been significant buzz surrounding Lowrance. This scenario likely results in an under-slot deal, considering San Diego doesn’t pick again until No. 60. However, several talented prep players could still be available later in the first round for AJ Preller to target. Before this mock, I hadn’t considered Lowrance to San Diego. Now, it feels like one of the more realistic possibilities for Preller.
Finally, Ben Blair deserves mention. The Liberty right-hander is one of the most underrated pitchers in this class. Blair may appear to be a surprise selection, but it’s a realistic outcome that could provide strong value for the Rockies.
Thoughts on the staff draft from Dan Zielinski: From my perspective, the biggest storyline in this mock is the shape of the draft board. There is a clear top tier of five players, but after those names come off the board, there is another group of roughly five prospects who could realistically land anywhere in the next several picks. After that, the draft opens up considerably, with the third tier featuring a great deal of parity. Teams in that range will likely prioritize organizational preferences over consensus rankings, making this one of the more unpredictable first rounds in recent memory.
The White Sox selecting Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick would create an immediate ripple effect. If Chicago opts for the UCLA shortstop, it could allow the top pitcher in the class, Jackson Flora, to potentially remain in California. Flora landing with the Giants at No. 4 feels like a natural fit, giving San Francisco a potential frontline starter who projects to move quickly through the minor leagues.
I also like the fit of Vahn Lackey with the Twins at No. 3. Catchers with his combination of defensive skills, leadership and offensive upside are difficult to find, making him one of the safest position players in the class.
Toward the end of the first round, the Brewers selecting Sawyer Strosnider at No. 25 makes plenty of sense. Milwaukee has consistently targeted athletic position players with offensive upside, and Strosnider fits the organization’s track record of developing well-rounded outfielders. Meanwhile, players such as Logan Hughes, Caden Sorrell and Mason Edwards could all prove to be excellent values if they remain available in the latter part of the opening round.
