{"id":783098,"date":"2026-07-10T14:43:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T14:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/783098\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T14:43:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T14:43:17","slug":"final-2026-mlb-mock-draft-grady-emerson-still-no-1-but-surprise-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/783098\/","title":{"rendered":"Final 2026 MLB Mock Draft: Grady Emerson still No. 1, but surprise possible"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Grady<\/p>\n

The draft’s Big Three are all likely to go in the first three picks, and, for the moment, Grady Emerson still lands here as the No. 1 pick. llustration: Demetrius Robinson \/ The Athletic; Photos: Mike Janes, Tracy Proffitt \/ Four Seam Images via AP Photo, Ken Ruinard \/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

July 10, 2026 Updated 9:05 am EDT<\/p>\n

This is my final full mock draft before the actual 2026 MLB Draft<\/a> takes place, starting on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. At this writing, it\u2019s still unclear who the Chicago White Sox are going to select with the first pick, which has ripple effects everywhere from pick No. 2 on down. It sounds like the top 10 will be very college heavy, and maybe the whole top 20, and then after that we\u2019ll see a big run on high school players of all stripes.<\/p>\n

This is a projection of how the first round may play out on Saturday, but has nothing to do with my own rankings or evaluations of any players. For full scouting reports on these guys and more, check out my Big Board<\/a>, ranking the top 100 players in the draft class.<\/p>\n

Keith Law’s Big Board for the 2026 MLB Draft<\/p>\n

Keith Law<\/p>\n

Player Type Pitcher Position Player Position Player\/Pitcher<\/p>\n

School Type 4-Year College High School<\/p>\n

Position 3B C LHP OF RHP SS<\/p>\n

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Loading<\/p>\n

Try changing or resetting your filters to see more.<\/p>\n

Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Fort Worth Christian (North Richland Hills, Texas), Bats: L, Throws: R<\/p>\n

By all accounts, the White Sox have still narrowed down their pick to Emerson, Roch Cholowsky and Vahn Lackey. All are good choices and none is likely to come at much of a discount. The only shift I\u2019ve heard this week is that the White Sox were \u201cmore engaged\u201d with Cholowsky, whatever that means. It is entirely possible that they\u2019ve wanted him all along and are creating the illusion of competition to negotiate a better bonus deal with him. Or maybe they just like Emerson more.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

High School<\/p>\n

SS<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Georgia Tech, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard the guy the Rays really want is Grady Emerson, and that they would likely take Lackey over Roch Cholowsky. Rumors of them cutting a deal with someone else have kind of died off in the last week.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

C<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: UCLA, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I continue to hear the Twins will take Cholowsky if he\u2019s there, and probably would take Vahn Lackey, but I\u2019m not certain about Grady Emerson \u2014 in a situation where Lackey and Cholowsky are off the board, they may take Drew Burress or Jackson Flora.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

SS<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest, Fla.), Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I’m still hearing the Giants want Grady Emerson or Roch Cholowsky but don\u2019t expect to get either. In that case, it\u2019s likely Lombard or Eric Booth Jr. over Jackson Flora, although I heard on Thursday that Flora is still a possibility here.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

High School<\/p>\n

SS<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: UC Santa Barbara, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t see any of the Big 3 falling here, which would probably put the Pirates\u2019 decision set as Flora, Eric Booth Jr. and one of the college bats like Burress. I don\u2019t believe they\u2019re in on Jacob Lombard or Justin Lebron.<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Georgia Tech, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where it gets weird \u2014 the Royals could go high school bat, as suddenly the word is K.C. is on college bats here, again trying to do a deal and maybe go over slot at pick 30. I\u2019d previously heard them with USC left-hander Mason Edwards at a discount, and of course Brian Bridges\u2019 history as scouting director is that he likes high-upside players like Eric Booth Jr. or Jacob Lombard. Burress or Tyler Bell would be the top college bat remaining in this scenario.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Oak Grove HS (Hattiesburg, Miss.), Bats: L, Throws: L<\/p>\n

Word is the Orioles want Booth, might take Drew Burress, have no realistic hope of getting Jackson Flora, and have a mixed camp on Jacob Lombard (who supposedly had a great workout in front of their execs). Derek Curiel is the best of the next group of college hitters.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

High School<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Arkansas, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I think the A\u2019s would love Drew Burress and the only arm they\u2019d consider is probably Jackson Flora. If everything falls apart, they could just do an under-slot deal with a college bat here.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

C<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Stoneman Douglas HS (Parkland, Fla.), Bats: R, Throws: L<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve said in the last two mocks Atlanta supposedly wants Drew Burress, and I do think they\u2019re the high-water mark for Rojas. With Burress increasingly likely to be gone at No. 9, they\u2019re getting linked to some wildly different players, including Jacob Lombard, who could also end up in the 11-15 range if he doesn’t go at No. 4 to the Giants.<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: LSU, Bats: L, Throws: L<\/p>\n

The Rockies\u2019 potential pool of players is pretty open here but most likely a college player, hitter or pitcher. They\u2019re not on Gio Rojas. I\u2019ve heard Chris Hacopian may get into the top 10, but I think that would only be here or maybe Atlanta. I also think they\u2019re on prep infielder Connor Comeau for one of their picks at 37\/38. <\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Texas A&M, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

If the Nats’ interest in Hacopian is a smokescreen to hide their interest in someone else (Jared Grindlinger\u2019s name was hot early, less recently), it\u2019s been a darn good one, as everyone I ask assumes this is their guy.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

SS<\/p>\n

3B<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Florida, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

Recently fired GM Perry Minasian was extremely hands-on in the draft, so his departure means the Angels are likely to change strategy \u2014 including being open to taking high school players in the first round. I\u2019ve heard them more on pitching, though that could be from before the change, and they could be Gio Rojas\u2019 floor. They are also on Justin Lebron and Tyler Bell.<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: USC, Bats: L, Throws: L<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard the Cardinals more with college arms than anything else, and don\u2019t believe they\u2019d consider a high school arm. Edwards fits the Cardinals\u2019 new pitching development philosophy, as his main concern is his present velocity, and St. Louis believes it can improve that.<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Mississippi, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

Rabe is the hottest name in the draft in terms of how much he seems to go up every time I do this exercise, having finished very strongly and scoring very well in teams\u2019 draft models. I have heard them a little with some upside players (Justin Lebron, Gio Rojas), but more with somewhat safer college players, hitters or pitchers. The Marlins\u2019 model tends to favor defense, so Lebron might fit but several of the other college bats wouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Alabama, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

This one popped up just this week, as it\u2019s become clearer that Lebron is probably not going in the top 10 (although I could see him with K.C. or maybe as a sleeper with Atlanta if they don\u2019t get Drew Burress). I\u2019ve also heard Arizona with Bo Lowrance and Chase Brunson.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

SS<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS, Bats: L, Throws: L<\/p>\n

Not sure how seriously to take this but it\u2019s come up a few times; Grindlinger could go as high as 11, he could end up someone\u2019s way over-slot second pick, or he could price himself out and end up at Tennessee. I do expect the Rangers to have their pick of several players they\u2019d like among some high-upside options.<\/p>\n

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Position Player\/Pitcher<\/p>\n

High School<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

LHP<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Mississippi State, Bats: L, Throws: R<\/p>\n

Reese is similar to Brice Matthews, an advanced bat, good data, questionable defense and position. I think the Astros are a floor for Justin Lebron, too.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

3B<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Arkansas, Bats: R, Throws: L<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard the Reds more with college players here, though they have gone high school plenty of times with their first pick before, including last year. Dietz, Taylor Rabe, maybe Tyler Bell and Cameron Flukey are all possibilities here.<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Coastal Carolina, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard that Flukey won\u2019t get past the Guardians. Generally, I\u2019ve heard more college players here than high school. I mentioned Chris Rembert, a young college player with strong contact skills and good batted-ball data, last time, as he also fits the archetype of their preferred hitter.<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: TCU, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard the Red Sox with at least one player in each of the four categories \u2014 college hitters (Brunson, Zion Rose), college pitchers (Taylor Rabe), high school hitters (Bo Lowrance) and high school pitchers (Brody Bumila, before he got hurt). I don\u2019t think they\u2019ll take a high school arm, and heard Lowrance worked out for them but wasn\u2019t great, which could lead them to pivot to a college player.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Christ Church Episcopal (Greenville, SC), Bats: L, Throws: R<\/p>\n

Yeah, yeah, the Padres usually take a high school pitcher, especially a lefty, but unless Gio Rojas gets here (no shot), they\u2019ll just go for upside. I would be very surprised if they took a college player; I\u2019d rate that as less likely than them “reaching” a little for a high school player they love, some high-ceiling guy like Archer Horn or Jack Slightom or Carson Bolemon.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

High School<\/p>\n

3B<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Southside Christian School (Simpsonville, SC), Bats: B, Throws: L<\/p>\n

The Tigers are probably going for upside, though I did hear them on some lower-ceiling infielders this week like Taj Marchand or Aiden Ruiz. <\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Louisville, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I think the Cubs would really like to get Rose, and if he\u2019s gone, I wonder if Logan Hughes would be a fit here, just given his outstanding hard-contact rates.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Tennessee, Bats: B, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I thought the Mariners might go with a bat here, not for need, per se, but because there\u2019s depth in college hitters with strong data at this spot, but I\u2019ve heard they\u2019re heavy on Kuhns, who has great stuff and had a breakout year for Tennessee. I don\u2019t see any way they go high school pitcher (after hearing a month or so ago that might be their direction). If Kuhns is gone, I could see them with Logan Hughes, AJ Gracia, Zion Rose or Cole Carlon. Not sure if they\u2019d take Cameron Flukey or if they\u2019ve not been linked because they assume he\u2019s gone.<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Texas Tech, Bats: L, Throws: L<\/p>\n

I still think the Brewers go with a college bat, although they don\u2019t always steer that way \u2014 Braylon Payne was their first-rounder two years ago and he\u2019s popped this year. I could see them taking Cameron Flukey or Tegan Kuhns if they go pitching. I\u2019ve also heard Cole Prosek here, but that may just be because his uncle is their third-base coach.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Virginia, Bats: L, Throws: L<\/p>\n

What Atlanta does here depends a lot on what they do at No. 9. I imagine if they get Drew Burress with their first pick they may pivot to a high schooler here, maybe local kid Trevor Condon (not because he\u2019s local, that\u2019s not a thing any more).<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: TCU, Bats: L, Throws: L<\/p>\n

A draft model darling with a pretty left-handed swing, Strosnider has slipped a little because of platoon-split issues and some underperformance, but a development-minded team like the Mets will see opportunity there. I have heard the Mets a little with college bats and don\u2019t think they go high school arm here.<\/p>\n

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Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

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Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Georgia, Bats: R, Throws: R<\/p>\n

I may be the skeptic on Jackson\u2019s pro upside but all accounts are he\u2019s going somewhere in the first round.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Position Player<\/p>\n

4-Year College<\/p>\n

C<\/p>\n

OF<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: St. Ignatius College Prep (San Francisco), Bats: L, Throws: R<\/p>\n

Not that I think this is a lock, but the Giants will have money to spend here and they\u2019ve been connected to Horn before. I thought Tyler Spangler might go here but now that sounds like it\u2019s a reach.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Position Player\/Pitcher<\/p>\n

High School<\/p>\n

SS<\/p>\n

RHP<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Player Profile<\/p>\n

School: Magnolia Heights (Senatobia, Miss.), Bats: L, Throws: R<\/p>\n

Prosek is a more typical Royals pick from the last two years, a higher-upside high school bat. He is part of a large group of such players who\u2019ll probably hear their names called in the 25-40 range, including Archer Horn, Landon Thome, Will Brick, Will Adams and Connor Comeau.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Position Player<\/p>\n

High School<\/p>\n

3B<\/p>\n

C<\/p>\n

\"Connections:\"Connections:<\/p>\n

Jul 10, 2026<\/p>\n

Connections: Sports Edition<\/p>\n

Spot the pattern. Connect the terms<\/p>\n

Find the hidden link between sports terms<\/p>\n

Play today’s puzzle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The draft’s Big Three are all likely to go in the first three picks, and, for the moment,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":783099,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[17992,1583,4799,3651,7,7286,440,1939,20863,14622,19346,3752,3711,32091,19679,441,7066,6234,11424,1203,6,12,442,8251,443,14684,1202,15911,13443,29504,29956,6289,28957,2325],"class_list":["post-783098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba-draft","tag-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-athletics","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-baltimore-orioles","tag-basketball","tag-boston-red-sox","tag-chicago-cubs","tag-chicago-white-sox","tag-cincinnati-reds","tag-cleveland-guardians","tag-colorado-rockies","tag-detroit-tigers","tag-houston-astros","tag-kansas-city-royals","tag-los-angeles-angels","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-miami-marlins","tag-milwaukee-brewers","tag-minnesota-twins","tag-mlb","tag-nba","tag-nba-draft","tag-new-york-mets","tag-new-york-yankees","tag-philadelphia-phillies","tag-pittsburgh-pirates","tag-san-diego-padres","tag-san-francisco-giants","tag-seattle-mariners","tag-st-louis-cardinals","tag-tampa-bay-rays","tag-texas-rangers","tag-toronto-blue-jays","tag-washington-nationals"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/783098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=783098"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/783098\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/783099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=783098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=783098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=783098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}