2026 MLB Draft: Reviewing Each Team’s Day 1 Haul

Published by

Chris Studley

on

Drew Burress
Image via GT Athletics

The first four rounds of the 2026 MLB Draft were held on July 11, giving all 30 Major League clubs a chance to pick the next generation of stars. Now that Day 1 is over, let’s take a look at how each team did.

American League

AL East

The Blue Jays had a smaller pool and fewer picks this year thanks to free agency, plus the fact that the team had their first-round pick docked down 10 slots due to CBT rules. Nonetheless, the Jays picked up a live arm in Cole Carlon, a heavy fastball/slider pitcher who can run it up to the upper-90s with his fastball and strike out a lot of batters. Toronto also picked Oregon infielder Ryan Cooney, plus upside catcher Will Brick.

Baltimore loaded up on college picks after taking Eric Booth Jr. seventh overall in the 2026 MLB Draft. Loads of potential with Booth Jr., thanks to pop and speed. The O’s will hope that Dominic Voegele, who had a lot of success with Kansas, can become this year’s version of Joseph Dzierwa.

The Rays got their man at #2 with Grady Emerson, a potential superstar in the making. Emerson was, arguably, the best player available. Tampa also picked up another high school shortstop, Taj Marchand, plus grabbed Ben Blair, one of the best college pitchers this year with Liberty.

Boston went heavy on Tar Heels, as Jake Schaffner and Owen Hull went to the Red Sox. Hull was UNC’s run producer, while Schaffner was the sparkplug leadoff man.

Hunter Dietz, who struck out 131 over 85.2 IP, slid to the Yankees at #35. Heavy fastball/slider, with that fastball running up to 96-97 MPH. New York also picked up two prepsters, plus Oklahoma’s Brendan Brock.

AL Central

Liam Peterson had his rough outings this season with the Gators. But overall, with a power arsenal that includes a very good fastball and slider, it’s hard to pass that up at #19. Cleveland also picked Logan Schmidt, who was running up to the mid-90s in high school and was a two-way player in high school. Plus, two good college performers in Tre Broussard and Kade Lewis.

The Royals made a surprise pick, grabbing Louisville outfielder Zion Rose with the sixth overall pick. Elite speed and basestealing are among his pluses. Taylor Rabe, who struck out 105 and has mid-90s velocity, was taken 30th overall.

Had Cameron Flukey not gotten hurt this year, the Coastal Carolina ace likely wouldn’t have fallen to the Tigers. Mid-90s fastball with carry, plus the breaking balls to make him a potential high-end starter.

Vahn Lackey will look to follow the likes of Jason Varitek and Matt Wieters as the next great Georgia Tech catchers to do big things in the Majors. Fantastic all-around hitter. The Twins also grabbed another catcher, Carson Tinney from Texas, in the second round, plus upside pitchers in Tommy LaPour and Brett Renfrow.

The White Sox got their man at #1, as Roch Cholowsky wound up being the first pick after sitting atop the consensus rankings for most of the year. All-around great shortstop at UCLA who performed all three years. And if the Sox can get a deal, Chicago should be able to get Cole Prosek, plus Landon Thome. Thome is the son of former White Sox and Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thome.

AL West

It’s not likely that the Tennessee Volunteers will get Jared Grindlinger, who reclassified from 2027 to 2026, to Knoxville. Big lefty with a mid-90s fastball and a changeup. LA picked up Jarren Advincula, a monster of a contact hitter with Georgia Tech, plus college hitters Gavin Grahovac and Rylan Lujo.

Logan Hughes, who hit .375 with Texas Tech this season, was not a reach pick. Nor was Jack Radel, who struck out 116 over 87.2 IP, and, as noted below, has that high-carry fastball, coupled with a popping slider. Houston also grabbed another good ACC pitcher, Wes Mendes, with the 57th pick.

It was an all-college day for the Athletics, who headlined their draft with Drew Burress. Burress, the all-time home run leader for Georgia Tech, has a very open stance. And in the three years with the Yellow Jackets, he did nothing but hit.

Seattle, like the A’s, had a college-heavy draft. Ace Reese was one of the best power-hitting infielders available. The Mariners also grabbed LSU outfielder Jake Brown, who had a very good junior season, plus Cincinnati ace Nathan Taylor.

Lastly, the Rangers landed Gio Rojas, who had top-10 upside.

National League

NL East

The Braves likely won’t be picking this high for a while. AJ Gracia, who fell in the Braves’ lap, had arguably the best eye in the MLB Draft. Atlanta went slightly off board, grabbing Indiana State outfielder Carter Beck.

Jacob Lombard was considered better at this stage than his older brother, George Lombard Jr. Jacob stays in Florida with the Marlins, who hope he can develop into a star. The Marlins also grabbed leading Arkansas hitter Cam Kozeal, plus another OSU pitcher, Ethan Kleinschmit. Kleinschmidt doesn’t throw hard — but he was effective.

The Mets went with Arkansas pitcher Carson Wiggins with the 27th overall pick. Carson, the younger brother of Cubs prospect Jaxon, throws just as hard, sitting in the mid-90s when he was healthy. Aiden Robbins, who found some home run power with UT, will head back to the East Coast. Robbins, a Pennsylvania native, spent two seasons with the Seton Hall Pirates.

Speaking of the East Coast, Chris Hacopian, formerly of the University of Maryland, will head back to the Mid-Atlantic after he was taken 11th overall by Washington. Three straight years with 10+ home runs, and he hit very well after coming back from a mid-season absence. The Nats also grabbed Chase Brunson from TCU at #42.

Philadelphia picked up speedy shortstop Tyler Spangler. 6.56s 60-yard dash recorded last year at a PG showcase. The Phillies also grabbed some good college pitchers, including hard-thrower Deven Sheerin and Texas co-ace Ruger Riojas, who can pop it to 96-98 MPH.

NL Central

All of Dino Ebel’s sons are going to Milwaukee. One year after the Brewers picked Brady Ebel, Milwaukee snagged Trey Ebel. Middle infielder with pop. The Brewers also grabbed Sawyer Strosnider, an electric hitter with TCU who had a tough 2026, plus athletic UF outfielder Kyle Jones.

The Cardinals grabbed uber-athletic outfielder Trevor Condon, a staple of the high school showcase circuit for some time. Aside from him, the Cards had a field day scooping up high-end college talent, as Tegan Kuhns and Dawson Montesa were two of the better pitchers available in the MLB Draft. Plus, two terrific bats in Andrew Williamson and Dee Kennedy.

Chicago went for college players, as well. Caden Sorrell is a legit power hitter, as is Myles Bailey. Bailey, who suffered a season-ending injury with FSU, has a lower-grade hit too. The big grab was Cade Townsend, an electric fastball pitcher with velocity and carry.

The Pirates went slightly off-board with Derek Curiel, an athlete with a plus hit tool but likely below-average pop. Those savings could go to Long Island infielder Aiden Ruiz, a terrific athlete. Pittsburgh also grabbed Jason DeCaro, a horse with UNC, albeit one who doesn’t have much swing-and-miss.

Justin Lebron had a great end to 2026. However, his struggles this season likely knocked him down a peg. Cincinnati took established college hitters Eric Becker and Mulivau Levu. Plus, one of the most interesting pitchers is ECU ace Ethan Norby. Norby, the brother of Connor, is a short pitcher.

NL West

Arizona took Ryder Helfrick, one of the best power hitters in the MLB Draft. It also helps that he’s a catcher. Blake Bryant, at 6’6”, is a tall glass of milk with mid-90s velocity.

Thanks to expenditures in free agency, the Dodgers didn’t have much to work with. LA landed Bo Lowrance at #40, plus Russell Sandefer, an effective multi-inning reliever with Florida who’s likely ticketed for a SP role.

The Giants went heavy on pitching, a need, even though teams don’t draft for need. Jackson Flora could be a future ace. Kaden Waechter is the son of ex-Devil Ray Doug. San Francisco also honed in on the NY/NJ area. Yes, that Bonds, who played at Rutgers, is related to Barry Bonds. The Giants also took Carlos Martinez, the rare premium college pitcher from the New York area who ratched it up to the mid-90s in his return from TJ surgery.

Coleman Borthwick is a mountain of a man at 6’6” and 230 pounds. AJ Preller loves high-upside high schoolers, and that’s exactly what Borthwick is. Ryan Lynch, taken at #97, was a good find for the Padres.

Tyler Bell may be the Rockies’ shortstop of the future. An athletic player who has more power than he showed in a pitcher-friendly ballpark in Lexington. The Rockies also grabbed UCLA staff ace Logan Reddemann, plus two hitters with proven wood-bat experience, catchers Jack Natili and Daniel Jackson, the latter of whom was the 2026 Golden Spikes winner.

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