TCU Baseball is a mainstay at the Shriners Children’s College Baseball Showdown and is the closest school to Arlington in the field for Week 1 of the College Baseball Series schedule.

And for the first time since 2023, the Horned Frogs are bringing with them a player who just may go in the first round of the MLB Draft.

In 2023, third baseman Brayden Taylor was the star of the Horned Frogs and went on to be taken 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays. Flash forward three years, and the Horned Frogs have the highest-ranked draft-eligible prospect in 2026 in outfielder Sawyer Strosnider.

Back in 2023, Taylor was one of several high-profile players at the Showdown, including No. 17 overall pick in 2023 Enrique Bradfield, then of Vanderbilt.

This year, Strosnider is joined by six other players who are in the FloBaseball composite Top 100 rankings, including several teammates.

Here are the top prospects playing in the Shriners Children’s College Baseball Showdown.

Top 2026 MLB Draft Prospects At The College Baseball Showdown

Here are the top prospects playing during opening weekend of the college baseball season at Globe Life Field. 

Sawyer Strosnider, TCU Baseball, OF (No. 8-ranked prospect)

Strosnider arrived at TCU with huge raw power and quickly showed more polish than expected, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors after hitting .350/.420/.650 with 11 home runs, 10 triples, 13 doubles and 10 stolen bases. 

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefty has plus bat speed, power, arm strength and running ability. Though he could play center field, right field is his likely home as he works to refine his plate discipline.

Gabe Gaeckle, Arkansas Baseball, RHP (No.30-ranked prospect)

Gaeckle, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound right-hander, rebounded from Tommy John surgery to become a standout at Arkansas after ranking No. 101 in the 2023 class. He owns a 3.63 ERA in 114 innings with a 30.7% strikeout rate. Sitting mid-90s and touching 99 mph, he pairs his fastball with two swing-and-miss breaking balls and an upper-80s changeup, though his size and control create reliever risk.

Gaeckle pitched in the College Baseball Showdown in 2025 against Kansas State, pitching 5.2 innings.

Gabe Gaeckle might be the most electric arm in college baseball right now.

2.32 ERA and 7 saves as a freshman, 92 K in 71.1 IP with a 1.93 NCAA tourney ERA as a sophomore and a Perfect Game preseason All American tag.@GabeGaeckle | @RazorbackBSB | @CBS_Arlington #razorbacks pic.twitter.com/t5hHR1HiLw

— FloCollege | Baseball (@FloCollegeBSB) January 26, 2026Chase Brunson, TCU Baseball, OF (No. 43-ranked prospect)

Brunson, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound outfielder, claimed TCU’s starting center field job as a freshman and has improved each season at the plate. As a sophomore in 2025, he hit .313/.391/.549, tripling his home run total from four to 12. He handles fastballs well, limits strikeouts and gets on base consistently. 

A solid runner, Brunson could shift from center field to a corner at the next level.

This will be the third time Brunson has played in the College Baseball Series. 

Ryder Helfrick, Arkansas Baseball, C, (No. 45-ranked prospect)

Helfrick, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound catcher, ranked No. 143 in the 2023 class by Baseball America, and flashed arm strength and power out of high school. After a tough freshman season, he broke out in 2025, hitting .305/.420/.616 with 15 home runs for Arkansas. 

He earned a Team USA invite and shows plus pull-side power, though his contact skills, spin recognition and defensive polish remain question marks.

Tommy LaPour, TCU Baseball, RHP (No. 46-ranked prospect)

LaPour, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound righthander, moved from Wichita State’s weekend rotation as a freshman to TCU’s rotation in 2025, posting a 3.09 ERA over 90.1 innings with a 23.4% strikeout rate. 

He features a mid-to-upper-90s fastball that has touched 100 mph, a low-to-mid-80s slider with two-plane bite and an above-average upper-80s changeup with fade and tumble.

Hunter Dietz, Arkansas Baseball, LHP (No. 70-ranked prospect)

Dietz, a 6-foot-6, 235-pound left-hander, missed most of his first two seasons at Arkansas following elbow surgery but has re-emerged as one of the most intriguing arms in the 2026 Draft. 

He works 94-97 mph and has touched 99 with carry and natural cut, pairing it with an upper-70s curveball, upper-80s cutter and developing changeup. If his fall form holds, he could rise into the first round.

Logan Hughes, Texas Tech Baseball, OF (No. 84-ranked prospect)

Hughes, a 6-foot, 185-pound outfielder, began his career at Stetson before transferring to Texas Tech, where he hit 19 home runs in a breakout 2025 season. 

A strong lefthanded hitter, he combines contact skills with power to all fields, and his underlying batted-ball data ranks among the best in the class. He profiles as a corner outfielder with some first-base experience.

Top 2027 MLB Draft Eligible Prospects At The College Baseball Showdown

These players aren’t eligible to be drafted in July 2026, but they will be among the most watched players in college baseball this season, according to Baseball America. 

Austin Nye, Vanderbilt Baseball, RHP

Baseball America ranks Nye as the No. 9 college prospect in next year’s draft. A 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander for the Commodores he, has positioned himself for a prominent draft spot in 2027 after posting a 3.55 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 50.2 innings as one of the nation’s top midweek starters. 

He works in the low 90s and has touched 95 mph, pairing his fastball with a sharp low-80s slider and an effective changeup that misses bats, particularly against left-handed hitters.

Noah Franco, TCU Baseball, 1B, LHP

A consensus first round prospect in next year’s draft, Franco, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound two-way player at TCU, reclassified to 2024 and quickly became one of the team’s most valuable pieces, earning a Team USA invite. 

He hit .313/.396/.548 with 28 extra-base hits and struck out 18 in 12.1 innings. Franco shows plus raw power and bat speed but needs more polish against secondary pitches. Though he’s touched 97 mph on the mound, his future is as a position player.

Mason Brassfield, TCU Baseball, LHP

Brassfield, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-hander, emerged as one of TCU’s more reliable arms last season, posting a 4.09 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 61.2 innings over 18 appearances. He leans on a mid-80s slider that generated a 38% whiff rate. 

His fastball sits in the low 90s and has touched 97 mph, and he mixes in an upper-80s changeup.

Ryker Waite, Vanderbilt Baseball, SS

Waite, a 5-foot-10, 176-pound switch-hitting shortstop, impressed in the South Florida Collegiate League before breaking out in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .287/.409/.417 with eight extra-base hits and 13 steals to earn all-star honors. 

He shows plus bat-to-ball skills, strong hand speed and quality contact, with his hit tool ahead of his power. His plus speed and instincts make him a strong defensive fit at shortstop.

Nolan Traeger, TCU Baseball, C

Traeger, a 6-foot, 185-pound catcher, is a steady all-around player who hit .327/.429/.472 with 14 extra-base hits as a regular in TCU’s lineup. He shows plus contact skills, reflected in a 91% in-zone contact rate, and uses a simple, line-drive swing. Defensively, he is an above-average catcher with polished actions and a solid arm.

Cole Gibler, Arkansas Baseball, LHP

Gibler, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound lefty, carved out a key role on Arkansas’ deep staff, recording 57 strikeouts and 12 walks in 29.1 innings over 20 appearances. He features a low-90s fastball, a mid-80s breaking ball that drives a 47% miss rate, and a mid-to-upper-80s changeup. 

With a clean arm stroke and high three-quarters slot, he profiles as a strike-thrower with remaining projection.

Brodie Johnston, Vanderbilt Baseball, 3B

Johnston, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound third baseman, earned Appalachian League all-star honors before arriving at Vanderbilt and won the starting job in 2025. He hit .260/.297/.534 with 30 extra-base hits, including 15 home runs, and 55 RBIs. 

Johnston shows physicality, bat speed and power but made contact at a 66% clip with a 38% chase rate, leaving room for improved swing decisions.

Rustan Rigdon, Vanderbilt Baseball, OF/3B

Rigdon, a 6-foot, 185-pound outfielder/third baseman, hit .259/.431/.346 with nine extra-base hits, 25 RBIs and 19 stolen bases as a Vanderbilt regular. A plus runner, he pairs advanced swing decisions with a disciplined approach, chasing just 16% of the time. 

Better from the left side, Rigdon features a smooth swing and quality at-bats.

2026 Shriners Children’s Baseball ShowdownFeb. 13, 202612:00 PM ET: Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech4:00 PM ET: TCU vs. Vanderbilt8:00 PM ET: Oklahoma St vs. ArkansasFeb. 14, 202612:00 PM ET: Texas Tech vs. Vanderbilt4:00 PM ET: Oklahoma St vs. Oklahoma8:00 PM ET: Arkansas vs. TCUFeb. 15, 202611:30 AM ET: Vanderbilt vs. Oklahoma St3:30 PM ET: Texas Tech vs. Arkansas7:30 PM ET: TCU vs. OklahomaCollege Baseball Series In Surprise, ArizonaFeb. 13, 20264:00 PM ET: Michigan vs. Oregon St8:00 PM ET: Stanford vs. ArizonaFeb. 14, 20264:00 PM ET: Arizona vs. Oregon St8:00 PM ET: Michigan vs. StanfordFeb. 15, 20262:00 PM ET: Stanford vs. Oregon St6:00 PM ET: Arizona vs. MichiganFeb. 16, 20262:00 PM ET: Michigan vs. Oregon StAmegy Bank College Baseball Series Weekend 2Feb. 20, 202612:00 PM ET: Michigan vs. Florida St4:00 PM ET: Nebraska vs. Louisville8:00 PM ET: Auburn vs. Kansas StFeb. 21, 202612:00 PM ET: Louisville vs. Michigan4:00 PM ET: Florida St vs. Auburn8:00 PM ET: Kansas St vs. NebraskaFeb. 22, 202611:30 AM ET: Auburn vs. Louisville3:30 PM ET: Nebraska vs. Florida St7:30 PM ET: Michigan vs. Kansas StAmegy Bank College Baseball Series Weekend 3Feb. 27, 202612:00 PM ET: Arizona St vs. Mississippi St4:00 PM ET: UCLA vs. Tennessee8:00 PM ET: Virginia Tech vs. Texas A&MFeb. 28, 202612:00 PM ET: Tennessee vs. Arizona St4:00 PM ET: Mississippi St vs. Virginia Tech8:00 PM ET: Texas A&M vs. UCLAMar. 1, 202611:30 AM ET: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee3:30 PM ET: UCLA vs. Mississippi St7:30 PM ET: Arizona St vs. Texas A&MWhen Is The 2026 MLB Draft?

The MLB Draft begins the Sunday of MLB All-Star Week, which is being held in Philadelphia from July 11-July 14. 

2026 MLB Draft OrderChicago White SoxTampa Bay RaysMinnesota TwinsSan Francisco GiantsPittsburgh PiratesKansas City RoyalsBaltimore OriolesOakland AthleticsAtlanta BravesColorado RockiesWashington NationalsLos Angeles AngelsSt. Louis CardinalsMiami MarlinsArizona DiamondbacksTexas RangersHouston AstrosCincinnati RedsCleveland GuardiansBoston Red SoxSan Diego PadresDetroit TigersChicago CubsSeattle MarinersMilwaukee BrewersThe 2026 MLB Draft Top 100 Prospects 

Rank    Name    Position    Age    School    Commitment

1    Roch Cholowsky    SS    20    UCLA    —

2    Grady Emerson    SS    17    Fort Worth Christian    Texas

3    Justin Lebron    SS    21    Alabama    —

4    Jacob Lombard    SS    18    Gulliver Prep    Miami

5    Derek Curiel    OF    20    LSU    —

6    Tyler Spangler    SS    18    De La Salle    Stanford

7    Liam Peterson    RHP    20    Florida    —

8    Sawyer Strosnider    OF    20    TCU    —

9    Cameron Flukey    RHP    20    Coastal Carolina    —

10    Drew Burress    OF    21    Georgia Tech    —

11    AJ Gracia    OF    21    Virginia    —

12    Carson Bolemon    LHP    18    Southside Christian    Wake Forest

13    Gio Rojas    LHP    18    Stoneman Douglas    Miami

14    Ace Reese    3B    20    Mississippi State    —

15    Jackson Flora    RHP    20    UC Santa Barbara    —

16    Chris Hacopian    SS    21    Texas A&M    —

17    Eric Becker    SS    20    Virginia    —

18    Tyler Bell    SS    20    Kentucky    —

19    Vahn Lackey    C    20    Georgia Tech    —

20    Logan Schmidt    LHP    17    Ganesha    LSU

21    Coleman Borthwick    RHP    17    South Walton    Auburn

22    Caden Sorrell    OF    20    Texas A&M    —

23    Blake Bowen    OF    17    JSerra    Oregon State

24    Chris Rembert    2B    20    Auburn    —

25    Jensen Hirschkorn    RHP    17    Kingsburg    LSU

26    Gavin Grahovac    3B    20    Texas A&M    —

27    Brady Harris    OF    17    Trinity Christian    Florida

28    Trevor Condon    OF    17    Etowah    Tennessee

29    Aiden Ruiz    SS    18    The Stony Brook    Vanderbilt

30    Gabe Gaeckle    RHP    21    Arkansas    —

31    Eric Booth    OF    17    Oak Gove    Vanderbilt

32    Kaden Waechter    RHP    18    Jesuit    Florida State

33    Caden Bogenpohl    OF    20    Missouri State    —

34    Will Brick    C    17    Christian Brothers     Mississippi State

35    Joseph Contreras    RHP    17    Blessed Trinity    Vanderbilt

36    Tegan Kuhns    RHP    20    Tennessee    —

37    Zion Rose    OF    20    Louisville    —

38    Savion Sims    RHP    18    Prestonwood Christian    Oklahoma

39    Maddox Molony    SS    21    Oregon    —

40    Joey Volchko    RHP    20    Georgia    —

41    Jarren Advincula    2B    20    Georgia Tech    —

42    Cole Carlon    LHP    20    Arizona State    —

43    Chase Brunson    OF    20    TCU    —

44    Rocco Maniscalco    SS    16    Oxford    Mississippi State

45    Ryder Helfrick    C    20    Arkansas    —

46    Tommy LaPour    RHP    20    TCU    —

47    Ryan Lynch    RHP    20    North Carolina    —

48    Cole Koeninger    SS/RHP    18    Keller    Tennessee

49    Beau Peterson    3B    18    Mill Valley    Texas

50    Landon Thome    2B/3B    18    Nazareth Academy    Florida State

51    Lucas Moore    OF    20    Louisville    —

52    Daniel Cuvet    3B    20    Miami    —

53    Denton Lord    RHP    18    South Walton    —

54    Kevin Roberts    OF    17    Jackson Prep    Florida

55    James Clark    SS    18    St. John Bosco    Princeton

56    Connor Comeau    SS/3B    17    Anderson     Texas A&M

57    Andrew Costello    C    18    Cathedral Prep    Wake Forest

58    Trey Rangel    RHP    18    The Colony    Texas

59    Jake McCoy    LHP    20    South Carolina    —

60    Keon Johnson    SS    17    First Presbyterian    —

61    Eli Herst    RHP    17    Seattle Academy    Vanderbilt

62    Henry Ford    OF    21    Tennessee    —

63    Blake Bryant    RHP    18    Citizen Christian     Clemson

64    Jason DeCaro    RHP    19    North Carolina    —

65    Gavin Gallaher    3B    21    North Carolina    —

66    Archer Horn    SS    17    St. Ignatius    Stanford

67    Trey Beard    LHP    21    Florida Atlantic    —

68    Cooper Sides    RHP    18    Orange Lutheran    LSU

69    Sean Duncan    LHP    17    Terry Fox (Canada)    Vanderbilt

70    Hunter Dietz    LHP    20    Arkansas    —

71    Ethan Bass    SS    18    Glenbrook North    Wake Forest

72    Noah Wilson    OF    18    McCallie    Vanderbilt

73    Carson Tinney    C    20    Texas    —

74    Shane Sdao    LHP    22    Texas A&M    —

75    Aidan Knaak    RHP    21    Clemson    —

76    Owen Kramkowski    RHP    20    Arizona    —

77    Kade Lewis    1B    20    Wake Forest    —

78    Gary Morse    RHP    18    Orange Lutheran    Tennessee

79    Tre Broussard    OF    20    Houston    —

80    Jorvorskie Lane    OF    17    Grapevine    Arkansas

81    Matt Ponatoski    SS    17    Moeller    Kentucky

82    Jake Brown    OF    20    LSU    —

83    Malachi Washington    OF    17    Parkview    LSU

84    Logan Hughes    OF    20    Texas Tech    —

85    Steven Milam    SS/2B    21    LSU    —

86    Brady Ballinger    1B    20    Kansas    —

87    Blake Morningstar    RHP    20    Wake Forest    —

88    Ethan Kleinschmit    LHP    20    Oregon State    —

89    Brett Renfrow    RHP    20    Virginia Tech    —

90    Will Yow    SS    18    St. Anne’s-Belfield    Virginia

91    Ricky Ojeda    LHP    20    UC Irvine    —

92    Dominic Santarelli    1B    18    St. Joseph    —

93    Andrew Williamson    OF    20    Central Florida    —

94    Wilson Andersen    RHP    17    Jesuit    Mississippi State

95    Jason Amalbert    SS    18    DePaul    Oklahoma

96    Ethan Norby    LHP    20    East Carolina    —

97    Cade Townsend    RHP    20    Mississippi    —

98    Alex Hernandez    2B/OF    20    Georgia Tech    —

99    Wes Mendes    LHP    21    Florida State    —

100    Cole Prosek    3B    18    Magnolia Heights    Mississippi

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