{"id":677147,"date":"2026-04-16T20:48:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:48:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/677147\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T20:48:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:48:53","slug":"2026-mlb-mock-draft-1-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/677147\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 –"},"content":{"rendered":"

There have been multiple changes<\/a> to the Major League Baseball Draft and the television product in recent years. In 2026, the draft will take place live from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in advance of the All Star Break. This year will be different however as the first four rounds will take place on Saturday July 11th in the afternoon. Rounds five-20 will occur on Sunday July 12th. It\u2019s another change from last season as round four moves to the first day. <\/p>\n

\"Draft\"via MLB PR<\/p>\n

The Chicago White Sox have landed the first overall pick. They had the best odds with a 27.7% chance but it\u2019s the first time in the lottery system that the team with the top odds<\/a> will choose first. The Tampa Bay Rays will pick 2nd overall followed by the Minnesota Twins at third. The San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals vaulted into the top six while the Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels were in the penalty box.<\/p>\n

The Chicago White Sox have a bonus pool of around $18.4 million in total and the number one pick comes with an assigned slot value of $11,350,600. The record bonus is nearly $9.3 million. Our way-too-early mock draft can be found here<\/a>. Bonus pools and slot values<\/a> have been made available as well. <\/p>\n

\"Draft\"Mike Shirley via White Sox Zoom<\/p>\n

1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA <\/p>\n

Cholowsky is the consensus top player in the class and the 21-year-old remains the overwhelming frontrunner for this selection. After winning college Player of the Year last year with 23 homers and a 1.190 OPS, he\u2019s essentially replicated that production as a junior. With 13 homers, more walks than strikeouts and baseball acumen, Roch looks the part. The 6-2, 195 pounder is a gold glove caliber defender, potential middle of the order bat and has high-level production to go with it. The White Sox will land a potential franchise player. <\/p>\n

2. Tampa Bay Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (TX)<\/p>\n

Emerson is a prototypical Texas prep standout and he\u2019s the best high school player in the class. The 6-2, 180 pound left-handed hitter will stick at shortstop and he possesses advanced offensive ability. He\u2019ll be 18-years-old on draft day and he has the potential to hit 25 homers with premium makeup. Moving up in the draft and landing this level of player is a huge victory for Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

3. Minnesota Twins: Vahn Lackey, Catcher, Georgia Tech <\/p>\n

Lackey has had a huge season and he\u2019s likely the second college position player off the board in July. The Georgia Tech product is an elite athlete who could have plus defense behind the plate but he\u2019s athletic enough to move as well. Lackey possesses all star upside with premium offensive upside at catcher. <\/p>\n

4. San Francisco Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Flora has monster stuff and he\u2019s easily the top pitcher in the 2026 class. The big righty pushes his fastball up to 100 mph with a plus changeup and he\u2019s posted a 0.63 ERA this year with a 32% strikeout rate. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

5. Pittsburgh Pirates: Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

There are lots of questions in Hacopian\u2019s profile but he might have the best combination of hit and power in the class. With 90th percentile exit velocities and elite contact rates, the Pirates can add him to a budding young core quickly while saving some money for later picks. <\/p>\n

6. Kansas City Royals: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS (FL)<\/p>\n

Lombard might have the most upside of any hitter in the class. It\u2019s a definite shortstop with the potential for premium power but he projects for plenty of swing and miss as well. <\/p>\n

7. Baltimore Orioles: Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU <\/p>\n

Strosnider is a premium athlete with huge raw power. The Orioles are in an interesting spot but they keep going with college bats here. The outfielder should stick in center field but there are glaring chase rate concerns.<\/p>\n

8. Athletics: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina<\/p>\n

Flukey was seen as a top 10 pick coming into the year and he\u2019s expected to return soon after dealing with a rib injury. The righty has a mid 90\u2019s fastball with multiple secondaries and strong command. Another quick moving college starter for the Athletics. <\/p>\n

9. Atlanta Braves: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS (FL)<\/p>\n

Rojas is the best prep pitcher in the class and Atlanta wouldn\u2019t be afraid to do it here. The southpaw has a mid 90\u2019s fastball with a low slot and a plus breaking ball. <\/p>\n

10. Colorado Rockies: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky <\/p>\n

Tyler Bell just gets on base. He can really hit, he gets on base and he\u2019s a no doubt shortstop. All traits that should fit what paul Dopodesta is looking for in Colorado. <\/p>\n

11. Washington Nationals: Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove HS (MS)<\/p>\n

The latest Mississippi prep has moved up into this range and fits with Nationals. Booth is an elite runner with contact and power potential but he needs to improve his defense in center field. <\/p>\n

12. Los Angeles Angels: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State <\/p>\n

Reese is a third baseman with left-handed power potential. Some scouts think he likely ends up at first base but the Angels get another potentially quick moving college hitter here. <\/p>\n

13. St. Louis Cardinals: AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia<\/p>\n

Gracia is a likely left fielder but he possesses hitting skills and on base ability. <\/p>\n

14. Miami Marlins: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech <\/p>\n

The 5-9, 180 pound outfielder hit 44 homers in his first two college seasons. Burress has displayed plus power and likely stays in center field but there are some hit tool concerns. <\/p>\n

15. Arizona Diamondbacks: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama <\/p>\n

Lebron is an explosive athlete with speed and power. He\u2019s a definite shortstop but swing and miss concerns and chase rates for a second consecutive year in the SEC have knocked him out of the top 10. <\/p>\n

Every Justin Lebron swing from the Kentucky series. 21 swings, 7 whiffs (6 vs spin, 1 vs changeup). Had him 4.10-4.15 down the line twice (++ speed).<\/p>\n

Series: 3-for-12, HR, 2 RBIs, BB, 2 K, 2 SB
2026: .304\/.440\/.684, 9 HR, 22 RBIs, 14 BB, 16K, 20 SB pic.twitter.com\/l50Zt33FeX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Burke Granger (@burkegranger) March 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

16. Texas Rangers: Ryder Helfrick, Catcher, Arkansas <\/p>\n

Helfrick has advanced defensive skills and power. Most of the power is to the pull side but he profiles as a regular at catcher. <\/p>\n

17. Houston Astros: Eric Becker, SS, Virginia<\/p>\n

Becker has hitting ability and on base skills. Astros add a college bat who could move quickly and while shortstop is a guarantee, the left-handed hitter should stay on the dirt. <\/p>\n

18. Cincinnati Reds: James Clark, SS, St. John Bosco HS (CA)<\/p>\n

Clark could go much higher than this. He\u2019s an advanced hitter with a left-handed bat and plus run times on display. Reds will be attracted to the showcase success and budding power. <\/p>\n

19. Cleveland Guardians: Derek Curiel, OF, LSU <\/p>\n

Curiel has slipped a bit due to the lack of power impact but the left-handed hitter is a definite center fielder with an excellent hit tool. <\/p>\n

20. Boston Red Sox: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida <\/p>\n

Peterson has big time stuff but control and command issues. It\u2019s great value for the Red Sox at this point in round one though. <\/p>\n

21. San Diego Padres: Brody Bumila, LHP, Bishop Feehan HS (MA)<\/p>\n

Bumila is a giant prep lefty with an extensive injury history. The southpaw has premium stuff and fits what AJ Preller and the Padres typically do in the first round. <\/p>\n

22. Detroit Tigers: Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle HS (CA)<\/p>\n

the Tigers have been very high school heavy and they\u2019ve leaned on position players as well. Spangler was seen as a potential top 10 pick coming into the season. The left-handed hitter has dealt with injuries and he has a chance to stick at shortstop. <\/p>\n

23. Chicago Cubs: Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State <\/p>\n

The Cubs need to add upside pitching at some point and this southpaw has electric stuff. It\u2019s a high 90\u2019s fastball with a plus slider and lots of strikeouts with some reliever risk in the profile. <\/p>\n

Cole Carlon (@ASU_Baseball<\/a>) generated whiffs at a high rate. Physical 6-5\/230 frame. Tough H3\/4 slot. FB worked 93-97 (T98). Diabolical SL at 86-88 gets ugly swings. ++ pitch. Will show CH and CB as well @PG_Draft<\/a> <\/p>\n

Jr.\/\u201826 elig. pic.twitter.com\/sXjgRQRHze<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

24. Seattle Mariners: Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

Sorrell is a college bat who has been a consistent offensive performer in College Station. He projects as a center fielder with power but has strikeout concerns. <\/p>\n

25. Milwaukee Brewers: Chris Rembert, 2B, Auburn<\/p>\n

Rembert can really hit and makes lots of contact. There are some questions in the Auburn infielder\u2019s profile related to defense and power. <\/p>\n

26. Atlanta Braves: Logan Reddeman, RHP, UCLA <\/p>\n

Has been one of best college starters this season. The righty has posted a 2.85 ERA while showing a 95 mph fastball with contol, command and stuff. <\/p>\n

27. New York Mets: Mason Edwards, LHP, USC<\/p>\n

Edwards has been one of the best pitchers in the country and his stock has risen dramatically as a junior. The southpaw has accumulated lots of strikeouts with a 1.35 ERA and solid miss rates on the secondaries. Solid first choice for the Mets. <\/p>\n

After sitting mostly 89-91 and occasionally snagging 93, Southern California LHP Mason Edwards was 95-96 tonight with a mid-80s hammer. Tossed in some mid-80s changeups.<\/p>\n

FB was already dominating the Big Ten last year thanks to unique launch and ride. Comfortably day one stuff. pic.twitter.com\/kJwIRDn7eL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

28. Houston Astros: Zion Rose, OF, Louisville <\/p>\n

Rose has plus raw power and he walks a lot. The outfielder has missed time but the physical right-handed hitter has posted a 1.200 OPS in a limited sample. <\/p>\n

29. Cleveland Guardians: Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha HS (CA)<\/p>\n

Schmidt will be 17-years-old on draft day and fits the profile of what Cleveland really likes. The southpaw is a strike thrower with quality secondaries. <\/p>\n

30. Kansas City Royals: Jared Grindlinger, LHP, Huntington Beach HS (CA)<\/p>\n

Grindlinger might ultimately fit better as a hitter and get drafted to do so but he\u2019s extreemly young after reclassifying and the Royals love prep lefties. <\/p>\n

31. Arizona Diamondbacks: Aiden Ruiz, SS, The Stony Brook HS (NY)<\/p>\n

Ruiz is the best defensive shortstop in the prep class and a solid addition for Arizona with their second pick. <\/p>\n

32. St. Louis Cardinals: Aiden Robbins, OF, Texas <\/p>\n

Another college outfielder for the Cardinals to add to the mix. <\/p>\n

33. Tampa Bay Rays: Jensen Hirschkorn, RHP, Kingsbury HS (CA)<\/p>\n

Rays use some of the huge bonus pool to add a high upside prep arm from California. <\/p>\n

34. Pittsburgh Pirates: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS (SC)<\/p>\n

Bolemon could go much higher and was a rumored top 10 selection but the Pirates have the bonus pool space to get this done after and uneven start to the spring. <\/p>\n

35. New York Yankees: Cade Townsend, RHP, Ole Miss <\/p>\n

Townsend has been really good for Ole Miss this year and could be one of the first college arms off the board in July. <\/p>\n

36. Philadelphia Phillies: Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS (FL)<\/p>\n

Borthwick is a massive righty from Florida who will pitch as a professional and Dave Dombrowski would love to pull the trigger here. <\/p>\n

37. Colorado Rockies: Jake Brown, OF, LSU <\/p>\n

Lots of college production and the potential to stay in CF. <\/p>\n

38. Colorado Rockies: Rocco Maniscalco, SS, Oxford HS (AL)<\/p>\n

Rockies balance out two college hitters with a high upside prep. <\/p>\n

39. Toronto Blue Jays: Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah HS (GA)<\/p>\n

Jays add another athletic prep to the system. <\/p>\n

40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas <\/p>\n

Dietz could end up going much higher than this. Big lefty with premium stuff and an extensive injury history. <\/p>\n

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