The hype for the 2026 draft started way earlier than usual. Honestly, it’s probably because the 2026 class looks like a shortstop goldmine. If you look at the early boards from MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, it’s just a sea of middle infielders with "plus" tools.
But here is the thing. Scouting a kid who is still a sophomore in college or a junior in high school is basically a guessing game masked as science. You’ve got to account for growth spurts, "dead arm" phases, and the simple fact that some guys just peak at 17.
The Consensus Number One: Roch Cholowsky
Right now, if you ask any scout about the top 2026 MLB draft prospects, the first name out of their mouth is Roch Cholowsky. The UCLA shortstop is basically the prototype. He’s got that "it" factor. He was a two-sport star in high school—actually liked football more for a while—but his future is 100% on the diamond.
Last spring, he slashed .353/.480/.710. That is insane for a college freshman in a power conference. He’s got 20-plus homer power and a glove that scouts say is already big-league ready. Some people are comparing him to Troy Tulowitzki, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that when you watch him move in the hole. He’s smooth. He’s smart. He just doesn't make mistakes.
Why the 2026 Class is Shortstop Heavy
It isn't just Roch. The top of the draft board is crowded with shortstops like Grady Emerson and Jacob Lombard. Emerson is a left-handed hitter out of Texas who just finds barrels. He hit .346 for Team USA and basically lived on base. Lombard, on the other hand, is the younger brother of Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. He’s 6-foot-3, looks like a soccer player on the field, and has massive raw power from the right side.
Scouts love these guys because they are safe. Even if the bat slows down, a high-end shortstop can usually move to third or second and still be a star.
The Pitching Paradox: Who Can Actually Throw?
Everyone wants the 100 mph heater. But in 2026, the best arms are the ones with "feel."
Gio Rojas is the name to watch if you like lefties. He’s a Miami commit out of Stoneman Douglas—the same school that produced Anthony Rizzo. Rojas is already sitting 95 mph and his slider is a nightmare for left-handed hitters. He’s got a 3.19 ERA potential written all over him.
Then you have Cameron Flukey at Coastal Carolina. He’s a different beast.
- Fastball: Touches 98 mph.
- Curveball: Upper 70s with a 50% miss rate.
- Size: He’s got that tall, lanky frame that scouts drool over.
Coastal Carolina has a knack for developing these "under the radar" guys into first-rounders. Flukey is next in line. He’s super competitive. He doesn't back down from SEC hitters.
College Arms vs. Prep Heat
There is always a debate. Do you take the polished college arm like Liam Peterson from Florida, or do you gamble on a high school kid like Carson Bolemon?
Peterson has the pedigree. He’s 6-foot-5 and already touching 99 mph. But he’s had some consistency issues—a 4.28 ERA isn't going to win you a Golden Spikes award. Bolemon, meanwhile, didn't allow an earned run in over 42 innings as a junior. That’s just stupid. He’s a Wake Forest commit, and we all know what they do with pitchers. If he makes it to campus, he might be the No. 1 pick in 2028. If he signs in '26, some team is getting a steal.
👉 See also: Why Scousers Don't Get Knocked Out Is More Than Just a Meme
The Power Bats Most People Ignore
While everyone is looking at the shortstops, the corner guys are putting up massive numbers. Henry Ford (not the car guy) is a first baseman/outfielder at Tennessee. He’s got plus-plus raw power. When he connects, the ball stays hit.
Drew Burress at Georgia Tech is another one. He’s only 5-foot-9, so people overlook him. Mistake. The kid homered nine times in his first eight college games. He’s hit 44 homers in two seasons. He’s basically a mini-Mookie Betts with a better arm.
What Really Matters for the 2026 Board
Look, a lot will change. Injuries happen. Slumps happen. But the top 2026 MLB draft prospects right now are defined by their athleticism. We aren't seeing as many "unidimensional" players. The White Sox won the lottery for the No. 1 pick, and Chris Getz is likely looking at Cholowsky or Emerson to anchor that rebuild.
If you’re tracking these guys, keep an eye on the Area Code Games and the SEC opening weekends. That’s where the separation happens.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Collectors:
- Watch the Cape Cod League this summer. A lot of these college sophomores like Justin Lebron and AJ Gracia will be there using wood bats. That is the ultimate litmus test.
- Follow the "Bloodlines." Jacob Lombard and Rookie Shepard have baseball in their DNA. These players historically transition to the pros faster.
- Check the Strikeout-to-Walk Ratios. For pitchers like Aidan Knaak (Clemson) or Jason DeCaro (UNC), the velocity is great, but their ability to limit free passes is what will keep them in the first round.