The MLB Draft lottery started just two years ago, and it immediately paid dividends for the Minnesota Twins. That season they had the 13th-highest odds to land the top pick. Of course there was a consensus top-five highlighted by Paul Skenes. Minnesota jumped up to fifth and grabbed Walker Jenkins.
Now a constant part of the Winter Meetings, the MLB Draft Lottery took place on Tuesday night. The MN Twins owned the second-highest odds to grab the top pick, but this time it didn’t work in their favor.
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Twins drop to third in 2026 MLB Draft
Trailing only the Chicago White Sox for odds to land the top pick, Minnesota came into the event feeling good. There are few benefits to having a 92-loss season, but that was a silver lining. Unfortunately the ping pong balls pushed them down a spot.
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Chicago kept the top spot in the 2026 MLB Draft but it was the Tampa Bay Rays that jumped up ahead of the Minnesota Twins. They had the seventh-highest odds (3.03%) but moved up five spots. With 22.18% odds for the first pick, the MN Twins were just over six percent behind the White Sox. Instead they wind up third.
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It’s unfortunate that Minnesota couldn’t have moved up to first. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is the consensus top prospect, and he should land with the White Sox. Three other shortstop prospects check in near the top too. Grady Emerson (Texas, HS), Justin Lebron (Alabama), and Jacob Lombard (Florida, SS).
Lombard is the son of George Lombard, and the brother of George Lombard Jr. The former was mentioned as a potential managerial candidate for the Twins prior to Derek Shelton being hired. His brother is a top prospect in the Yankees system.
Another name of note is Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Buress. He is a big time power bat and could present a different skillset if Minnesota feels the system is flush with middle-infield talent.
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The 2026 MLB Draft will take place during the All-Star Break this summer. On Wednesday Major League Baseball will hold the Rule 5 Draft. Minnesota is a potential team to lose a couple of candidates.
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