Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Thanks to their miserable 92-loss season, the Minnesota Twins entered Tuesday’s MLB Draft Lottery with the second-highest odds of landing the No. 1 pick. But because the franchise can never have nice things, they slide back a spot and will draft third this summer.
While there is a clear consensus choice at the top of the 2026 MLB Draft, there is plenty of high-end talent behind him. Minnesota will get to watch the Chicago White Sox try, and likely fail, to develop UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, because that appears to be their organizational destiny.
Just as they did when selecting Walker Jenkins fifth overall in 2023, the Twins will look to maximize value from the next tier of prospects. Right now, four names that stand out above the rest.
Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Listed in no particular order, we might as well start with the player whose last name mirrors that of the second-best basketball player of all-time. Lebron plays for Alabama and was a teammate of 2025 Minnesota Twins draft pick Riley Quick.
Last season he hit .316/.421/.636 over 59 games, tallying 18 doubles, 18 home runs, and a 65/38 K/BB ratio. He also went 17-for-18 stolen bases. There are some swing-and-miss concerns, and his college contact rate may not improve against professional pitching.
Big fan of how Justin Lebron moves in the box. This CH fades over the inner-half of the plate, and Lebron lifts a 2-run HR out to LCF to stretch Alabama’s lead to 4-0. pic.twitter.com/Q8PQzZ8V3m
— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) May 15, 2025
The only college shortstop ranked ahead of Lebron last season was Marek Houston, whom the Twins drafted in the first round. There’s no need to wring hands about drafting too many shortstops. They’re typically the best athletes on the field, they often move to other positions on their way up the ladder, and they always carry strong trade value.
Grady Emerson, SS, Texas (High-School)
If Lebron is the best college shortstop, the next two names are among the elite prep talents. Emerson is committed to Texas, but he won’t get there, he’s a near-lock to become a top-five pick.
Projecting high school players is always tricky. Emerson stands 6’2″ but still hasn’t fully grown into his frame. The 17-year-old will need to develop more power to become a perennial All-Star type.
𝔼𝕞𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕠𝕟 💣
2026 SS Grady Emerson@Turn2Grady | @Argyle_Baseball
The #1 player in Texas gets the Eagles going in the first with this majestic blast. The @TexasBaseball recruit continues to tap into the power while maintaining the elite hit tool. @ShooterHunt |… pic.twitter.com/1WIlLJGF1k
— Prep Baseball Texas (@PrepBaseball_TX) April 10, 2025
However, he already projects as a defender who can stay at shortstop. A left-handed hitter who has faced elite competition growing up in Texas, Emerson offers significant long-term upside. For Minnesota, this would be a patience play, but with plenty to dream on.
Jacob Lombard, SS, Florida (High-School)
Lineage matters, and Lombard has it. His father played in the big leagues and was once a potential managerial candidate for the Twins, who also played in the big leagues, and his brother is one of the New York Yankees’ top prospects.
Speed is a key part of Lombard’s game, and he already looks the part of a future major league shortstop defensively. Like most prep hitters, he’ll need to refine his swing decisions and contact skills, but that’s par for the course.
Excellent 2k swing right here from 2026 SS Jacob Lombard.
Eliminates the stride while stay well-connected and keeping the barrel in-zone forever. 97 EV backside here 👇🏻
#️⃣1️⃣ overall in @prepbaseball ‘26 National rankings.@PrepBaseballFL @ShooterHunt #NPI25 pic.twitter.com/R7OqOak0ib
— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) June 7, 2025
His physicality gives him a strong fallback even if he eventually shifts off shortstop, offering Minnesota needed flexibility. His exit velocities already jump off the page, and he’s still maturing.
Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
As things stand, Burress is the only college player besides Lebron worth considering at No. 3. At 5’9″, 182 pounds, he doesn’t resemble your typical Joey Gallo power hitter, but the results tell a different story.
Across 118 games at Georgia Tech, Burress has smashed 44 home runs. As a 20-year-old last season, he hit .333/.469/.693 with 23 doubles, 19 homers, 53 walks, and just 42 strikeouts.
Death, Taxes, and Burress Bombs. 💣@GTBaseball junior OF Drew Burress touching off to the pull-side for the no-doubter.
104 EV/398ft.
1.246 OPS with 44 HR, 38 2B, 129 RBI over his first two years at Tech. One of the top OF in the country.@PB_DraftHQ @DSeifertD1PBR pic.twitter.com/GQRfMqY7cN
— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) October 10, 2025
The Derek Falvey–led Twins love big exit velocities and proven college hitters. They’ve missed on Aaron Sabato and Trevor Larnach, while Matt Wallner has been a success and Brent Rooker remains “the one that got away.” Burress is a better athlete than all of them and could give the Twins their own shot at a Wyatt Langford–type breakout.
The 2026 MLB Draft will take place on July 11 during All-Star Week in Philadelphia. The Twins will be locked in on these four prospects, and perhaps a few surprise risers, as they finalize their evaluations over the coming months.
Mentioned in this article: Drew Burress Grady Emerson Jacob Lombard Justin Lebron
More About: Minnesota Twins
Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.