2026 MLB Draft Preview: Teams Prepare for Selections in Philadelphia
The 2026 MLB Draft is set to commence this Saturday in Philadelphia, coinciding with the city’s role as host for this year’s All-Star Game festivities. The event will see leading high school and college prospects learn which organizations they will join to continue their baseball careers. The draft will span two days, beginning on Saturday, July 11, and concluding on Sunday, July 12, with coverage available on NBC and Peacock for the initial picks, and MLB Network for broader coverage.
The first round of selections will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Teams are preparing their strategies, with the selection order and associated bonus pool money now determined. The Chicago White Sox hold the first overall pick, with a bonus pool of $17,592,100. Following them are the Tampa Bay Rays at second, possessing the largest bonus pool at $19,009,300, and the Minnesota Twins selecting third with a bonus pool of $16,929,600.
Top Prospects in Focus
For several months, Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop from UCLA, was widely considered the likely top pick. However, a less-than-stellar season for Cholowsky and an early exit from the College World Series for the top-ranked Bruins have introduced uncertainty regarding his position as the first player to be selected. Despite this, his skills are still seen as those of a ready-made big league shortstop.
Another prospect who has seen his draft stock rise significantly is high school shortstop Grady Emerson from Fort Worth Christian in Texas. Emerson, an , is noted for his quality at-bats, strong hitting, a professional-ready swing, and advanced defensive capabilities. Reports suggest the White Sox have narrowed their top choices to Emerson, Cholowsky, and Vahn Lackey.
Vahn Lackey, a catcher from Georgia Tech, is also a prominent name to watch. He demonstrated notable power late in his tenure with the Yellowjackets and is capable of hitting to all fields. His versatility, being able to play both catcher and third base, makes him an appealing asset for teams drafting early, such as the Twins, who have a history of developing successful catchers.
The White Sox are reportedly considering whether to select a young player like Emerson, who is believed to have the potential for a long-term All-Star career, or to choose Cholowsky, who possesses the necessary tools even if his perceived ceiling is not as high.
First Round Selections and Team Strategies
Beyond the top three, other teams are also evaluating their options. The San Francisco Giants, holding the fourth pick with a bonus pool of $17,350,600, are reportedly interested in Emerson or Cholowsky, but may not secure either. In that scenario, they could consider Jacob Lombard or Eric Booth Jr., though Jackson Flora remains a possibility.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, with the fifth pick and a bonus pool of $19,130,700, are likely to consider Flora, Booth Jr., or a college bat like Drew Burress if the top prospects are unavailable. The Kansas City Royals, selecting sixth with a bonus pool of $15,954,000, could opt for a high school bat or a college player such as Burress or Tyler Bell.
The Baltimore Orioles, at pick seven with a bonus pool of $13,114,000, are reportedly keen on Booth, with Burress also a consideration. The Athletics, picking eighth with $13,840,300, might target Burress or Jackson Flora. The Atlanta Braves, who have two first-round picks (ninth and twenty-sixth), are reportedly interested in Burress, and are also linked to Gio Rojas and Jacob Lombard.
Other teams in the first round include the Colorado Rockies (tenth pick, $15,557,600), who are likely to select a college hitter or pitcher, and the Washington Nationals (eleventh pick, $12,278,300), who are strongly linked to Chris Hacopian. The Los Angeles Angels (twelfth pick, $11,755,400) may shift their strategy to include high school players in the first round, with pitching prospects like Rojas, Justin Lebron, and Tyler Bell being considered.
The St. Louis Cardinals (thirteenth pick, $16,612,300) are reportedly focusing on college arms, with Mason Edwards fitting their pitching development philosophy. The Miami Marlins (fourteenth pick, $11,960,100) are considering Taylor Rabe, who has seen his stock rise, and Lebron. The Arizona Diamondbacks (fifteenth pick, $13,603,100) have been linked to Bo Lowrance and Chase Brunson, while the Texas Rangers (sixteenth pick, $10,219,200) are expected to have a selection of high-upside players, including Jared Grindlinger.
Later First Round and Second Round Considerations
Further into the first round, the Houston Astros (seventeenth pick, $13,712,700, and twenty-eighth pick) are considering Ace Reese and Lebron. The Cincinnati Reds (eighteenth pick, $10,758,500) are looking at college players such as Hunter Dietz, Rabe, Bell, and Cameron Flukey. Flukey is also a strong candidate for the Cleveland Guardians (nineteenth pick, $9,303,700).
The Boston Red Sox (twentieth pick, $8,219,200) are exploring options across college and high school players, including Brunson and Lowrance. The San Diego Padres (twenty-first pick, $9,479,000) are expected to prioritize high-ceiling high school players. The Detroit Tigers (twenty-second pick, $9,165,100) are also aiming for high-upside prospects, while the Chicago Cubs (twenty-third pick, $9,644,100) are reportedly interested in Zion Rose.
The Seattle Mariners (twenty-fourth pick, $8,218,200) are reportedly keen on Tegan Kuhns, a pitcher who had a breakout year. The Milwaukee Brewers (twenty-fifth pick, $8,042,900) round out the initial picks before the Braves’ second first-round selection. In the second round, teams like the New York Yankees (thirty-fifth pick, $7,342,800), Philadelphia Phillies (thirty-sixth pick, $7,773,000), Toronto Blue Jays (thirty-ninth pick, $5,543,100), and Los Angeles Dodgers (fortieth pick, $3,951,900) will make their selections.
The draft will begin this Saturday, July 11, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Source: bleacherreport.com
