The 2026 MLB Draft is shaping up to be a shortstop extravaganza, but who will rise to the top? With the Draft Lottery results in, it's time to dive into the crystal ball and predict which young stars will hear their names called first. But here's where it gets controversial: while Roch Cholowsky is the consensus top pick, some scouts believe Grady Emerson could surpass him with his explosive tools. And this is the part most people miss: the 2026 Draft is loaded with talent beyond the shortstop position, from power-hitting outfielders to crafty left-handed pitchers.
The MLB Draft doesn't officially kick off until July 11, 2026, giving us plenty of time to debate and analyze. But why wait? Let's jump into our first full mock draft, starting with the White Sox, who secured the No. 1 overall pick. They're projected to select UCLA's Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop phenom hailed as the best all-around college player since Troy Tulowitzki in 2005. Cholowsky's combination of four plus tools, average speed, and a high baseball IQ makes him a no-brainer for the top spot.
Shortstops dominate this draft class, with three of the first picks and nine of the 25 first-rounders expected to be manning the six. Among the 25 first-round prospects, we're looking at 13 college bats, five high school hitters, four college pitchers, and three prep pitchers. Here's how we see it shaking out:
White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
Cholowsky, the consensus national college player of the year as a sophomore, would have been the top prospect in the 2025 Draft too. His all-around skills and baseball IQ set him apart.Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS
Emerson is the top prep prospect and could be a quicker, more dynamic version of Cholowsky. But is he enough to challenge for the top spot? That's a debate for another day.Twins: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Lebron has the potential to be a five-tool shortstop if he can refine his approach at the plate.Giants: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
Burress burst onto the scene with nine homers in his first eight college games and hasn't slowed down, showcasing solid tools across the board.Pirates: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep, Miami
The son of former big leaguer George Lombard, Jacob may not have the same hitting ability as Emerson but brings more power and speed to the table.Royals: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS
Bolemon is the best pitcher in this draft, high school or college, with four quality pitches and exceptional control.See AlsoBaseball Prospectus: Around the League in 90 Days - The DodgersCollege Baseball & MLB: Growing Closer Than Ever - From College Coaches to Big Leagues!Shane McClanahan Signs $3.6M Deal with Rays: Comeback After Tommy John Surgery | MLB NewsCaleb Thielbar Returns: Cubs Sign 1-Year Deal | Left-Handed Bullpen Depth for 2025Orioles: Derek Curiel, OF, Louisiana State
Curiel led LSU to the 2025 Men's College World Series title as a freshman and could climb higher if he develops more power.Athletics: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
Flukey's mid-90s fastball and devastating curveball make him the top college pitching prospect.Braves: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS
Rojas is similar to Bolemon but with a slightly better changeup and command.Rockies: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
Lackey, once lightly scouted, has emerged as the draft's top catching prospect with his athleticism and patient approach.Nationals: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
Peterson's high ceiling has some evaluators ranking him above Flukey, despite the latter's polish.Angels: Sawyer Strosnider, OF, Texas Christian
Strosnider's combination of size, athleticism, and tools makes him a standout in this class.Cardinals: A.J. Gracia, OF, Virginia
Gracia, a transfer from Duke, is an advanced hitter with plus power and strong instincts in center field.Marlins: Chris Hacopian, SS, Texas A&M
Hacopian might be the best pure hitter in college baseball, with an advanced feel for the barrel and strike zone.Diamondbacks: Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle HS
Spangler's 6-foot-3 frame draws comparisons to lefty-hitting legends like Cal Ripken Jr. and Corey Seager.Rangers: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Flora could make UC Santa Barbara the third school in a dozen drafts to produce a top college pitcher.Astros: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
Reese's raw power is undeniable, but questions about his defense linger.Reds: Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M
Sorrell, with big-league bloodlines, has the all-around ability to follow in his grandfathers' footsteps.Guardians: Eric Becker, SS, Virginia
Becker shares a similar profile to his younger brother, Nick, who was drafted by the Mariners in the second round last year.Red Sox: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
Bell, the highest unsigned choice in the 2024 Draft, profiles as a switch-hitter with 20-homer potential and solid defense.Padres: Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha HS
Schmidt is one of the three best prep pitchers, all southpaws with promising three-pitch mixes.Tigers: Rocco Maniscalco, SS, Oxford HS
Maniscalco reclassified from the 2027 Draft and offers more power potential than speed.Cubs: Chris Rembert, 2B, Auburn
Rembert's pure hitting ability makes him a rare first-round second baseman.Mariners: Gabe Gaeckle, RHP, Arkansas
Gaeckle's electric arm could see him drafted higher if he proves he can start.Brewers: Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah HS
Condon's combination of hitting ability and speed draws comparisons to Lenny Dykstra and Brett Gardner.
And let's not forget the teams penalized for exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold: the Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, and Dodgers. Here are their predicted picks:
Mets: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
Helfrick has the tools to be a Gold Glover with 25-homer upside.Yankees: Will Brick, C, Christian Brothers HS
Brick's rocket arm and solid bat make him a standout prospect.Phillies: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
Dietz's elbow issues are a concern, but his fall performance suggests he could be a top-10 pick.Blue Jays: Blake Bowen, OF, JSerra Catholic HS
Bowen, a former star wide receiver, is a high school version of Strosnider.Dodgers: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
Kuhns' fastball/curveball combination makes him the best sophomore-eligible pitching prospect.
But here's the real question: With so much talent concentrated in the shortstop position, will teams prioritize position versatility or stick with the best player available? And could a dark horse pitcher like Carson Bolemon or Cameron Flukey sneak into the top five? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—who do you think will rise to the top in the 2026 MLB Draft?
