The 2026 MLB Draft is fast approaching, and Baseball America has released its third mock draft of the year, offering a glimpse into the potential first-round picks for every team. With just two months to go, the top of the draft is shaping up to be a cluster of about six names, but after that, it's anyone's guess. Here's a deep dive into the first-round picks, with a focus on the White Sox, Rays, and Twins, and their potential selections.
White Sox: Roch Cholowsky or Grady Emerson?
The White Sox find themselves in a intriguing position, with two top prospects, Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson, both of whom are represented by the same agency. Cholowsky, a UCLA shortstop, has been a standout this season, hitting home runs and replicating his 2025 Player of the Year campaign. Emerson, a Texas prep shortstop, is also being seriously considered. The White Sox could opt for Cholowsky, who is the favorite, or take a risk on Emerson, who is also being heavily scouted by other teams. The decision is further complicated by the fact that both players are represented by the same agency, which could impact the team's ability to create significant savings.
Rays: Vahn Lackey or Jacob Lombard?
The Rays are in a similar situation to the White Sox, with multiple top prospects on their radar. Vahn Lackey, a Georgia Tech catcher, is a defensive standout with excellent raw power. Jacob Lombard, a Florida prep shortstop, is also being heavily scouted. The Rays are connected to all of the names mentioned above, and many sources believe they'll take whoever the White Sox don't select. Lackey, with his defensive upside and excellent season, is a strong contender, but Lombard is also in the mix. The Rays could also be interested in an overslot player, but it's unclear if they'll make a move.
Twins: Vahn Lackey or Jackson Flora?
The Twins, with the fourth overall pick, are expected to take Vahn Lackey if the top two players come off the board in the expected order. Lackey, a Georgia Tech catcher, has been heavily scouted and his defensive upside at catcher could give him one of the highest floors in the class. Jackson Flora, a UC Santa Barbara righthander, is also in the mix. The Twins have had high-level decision-makers scouting Flora throughout the spring, and his premium stuff could make him an attractive option.
Giants: Jacob Lombard or Eric Booth Jr.?
The Giants, with the fifth overall pick, are in a unique position. They could opt for an overslot player, but there's speculation that they might try to acquire Roch Cholowsky. However, this scenario is unlikely, as it would require the White Sox, Rays, and Twins to pass on the best player in the class. A more likely scenario is that the Giants can grab an overslot player with their pick. Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. are the favorites if Lackey falls, with Lombard being the more likely pick.
Pirates: Jackson Flora?
The Pirates, with the sixth overall pick, are expected to take a college pitcher. Jackson Flora, a UC Santa Barbara righthander, is the top overall college pitcher in the class. His peripherals are slightly underwhelming, but he's allowed just 10 earned runs all season and has an electric pitch mix. The Pirates could also be interested in an overslot player, but Flora is the most likely pick.
Royals: Gio Rojas or Eric Booth Jr.?
The Royals, with the seventh overall pick, are expected to take a high school player. Gio Rojas, a lightning-armed lefty with a big fastball and a chance for a wipeout breaking ball, is a strong contender. Eric Booth Jr., a dynamic power-speed combo center fielder, is also in the mix. The Royals have been all over Rojas this spring, and he's pitched excellently. Booth Jr. is a riskier pick, but his top-of-the-scale speed could be too good to pass up.
Orioles: Eric Booth Jr.?
The Orioles, with the eighth overall pick, are expected to take Eric Booth Jr., a dynamic power-speed combo center fielder. Booth Jr. is a favorite to make up the top of the draft, and it's difficult to envision him falling much further. The Orioles could also be interested in college hitters like AJ Gracia and Drew Burress, but Booth Jr. is the most likely pick.
Athletics: Jackson Flora or Drew Burress?
The Athletics, with the ninth overall pick, are expected to take a college pitcher if they want. Jackson Flora is the top overall college pitcher in the class, but there's also a chance they could take a shot on another college pitcher who finishes strong and moves up boards. Drew Burress, a model-favorite college hitter, is also in the mix. The Athletics could also be interested in an Alabama shortstop, but it's unclear if they'll make a move.
Braves: Chris Hacopian?
The Braves, with the tenth overall pick, are expected to take Chris Hacopian, a Texas A&M second baseman. Hacopian has excellent ingredients to hit and hit for power, but he comes with some defensive questions that could push him from the infield to the outfield. The Braves have been heavily tied to Hacopian, and he's a strong contender for the tenth overall pick.
Rockies: Ryder Helfrick or Gio Rojas?
The Rockies, with the 14th overall pick, are expected to take Ryder Helfrick, the consensus No. 2 catcher in the class. Helfrick has excellent raw power and the tools to be a high-level defender, but there are some swing-and-miss questions. The Rockies could also be interested in a high school lefthander like Gio Rojas, Brody Bumila, or Logan Schmidt.
Nationals: Drew Burress?
The Nationals, with the 15th overall pick, are expected to take Drew Burress, a Georgia Tech outfielder. Burress has three years of excellent production to go with real physical tools and a center field profile. He's also hit well over .300 in all three of his seasons, which isn't something many of this year's first-round bats can claim.
Angels: Cole Carlon?
The Angels, with the 16th overall pick, are expected to take Cole Carlon, a left-handed pitcher from Arizona State. Carlon is tremendously physical with one of the bigger arms in the draft class, averaging 96 mph with his fastball and having a potential 70-grade slider. He's done a nice job handling a starting role for the first time in his career.
Cardinals: Tyler Bell?
The Cardinals, with the 18th overall pick, are expected to take Tyler Bell, a college shortstop from Kentucky. Bell has plenty of up-arrow feedback and is being heavily scouted throughout the middle of the first round. While he might lack a plus tool, many teams will have comfort with his profile because he's a slick-fielding college shortstop who is actually performing.
Marlins: Zion Rose?
The Marlins, with the 19th overall pick, are expected to take Zion Rose, an outfielder from Louisville. Rose, like Bell, is an up-arrow college hitter who was injured early but has stormed up boards because he's raking. He's hitting .408/.493/.650 with five home runs and 19 stolen bases in 31 games.
Diamondbacks: Tegan Kuhns?
The Diamondbacks, with the 25th overall pick, are expected to take Tegan Kuhns, a right-handed pitcher from Tennessee. Kuhns has pitched like a first-round arm over his last five starts, striking out 56 batters and walking six in 32.2 innings. He's coming off a 15-strikeout game against Texas and could fit anywhere in the middle or back of the first round.
Rangers: Cameron Flukey?
The Rangers, with the 26th overall pick, are expected to take Cameron Flukey, a right-handed pitcher from Coastal Carolina. Flukey is trending down because of a few rough and still-abbreviated outings after his first start back from a rib strain. His collegiate track record and preseason status could give him a reasonably high floor.
Astros: Sawyer Strosnider?
The Astros, with the 28th overall pick, are expected to take Sawyer Strosnider, an outfielder from TCU. Strosnider has better physical tools and more pure upside than nearly every player in the class, but he's not replicating the pure hitting ability he showed in 2025. He's hitting .216/.339/.441 in conference play with a 20.2% strikeout rate.
Reds: Brody Bumila?
The Reds, with the 30th overall pick, are expected to take Brody Bumila, a left-handed pitcher from Bishop Feehan HS in Attleboro, Mass. Bumila is an outlier of outliers, with very little prep track record but excellent athleticism, size, and an 80-grade fastball from the left side. He gets talked about as a potential top 10 talent in the class.
Guardians: Derek Curiel?
The Guardians, with the 32nd overall pick, are expected to take Derek Curiel, an outfielder from LSU. If Cleveland's 2025 draft is a sign of a shift in priorities, Curiel might not be the best fit. But he does have two traits Cleveland has long prized and targeted: elite contact skills and lefthanded hitting. He doesn't run like most center fielders, but he has the defensive instincts to stick at the position.
Red Sox: Jared Grindlinger?
The Red Sox, with the 34th overall pick, are expected to take Jared Grindlinger, a left-handed pitcher/outfielder from Huntington Beach, Calif. HS. The Red Sox are one of the teams most heavily linked to Grindlinger, who has a handful of teams particularly high on his hitting upside thanks to his youth and contact skills.
Padres: Justin Lebron?
The Padres, with the 40th overall pick, are expected to take Justin Lebron, a shortstop from Alabama. Lebron's pure talent and athleticism could warrant a top 10 overall selection, but his performance this spring, as well as previous years in conference play, is making that hard to project. There are plenty of teams who didn't think Lebron would ever get to them before the season started.
In conclusion, the 2026 MLB Draft is shaping up to be an exciting and unpredictable event, with multiple teams having multiple top prospects on their radar. The White Sox, Rays, and Twins are in a unique position, with multiple top prospects to choose from, while the Giants and Pirates are expected to take college pitchers. The Royals and Orioles are expected to take high school players, while the Athletics and Braves are expected to take college hitters. The Rockies, Nationals, and Angels are expected to take pitchers, and the Marlins and Diamondbacks are expected to take high school hitters. The Red Sox, Padres, and Guardians are expected to take college hitters, while the Reds, Rangers, and Astros are expected to take pitchers. The Yankees, Phillies, and Blue Jays are expected to take high school players, while the Dodgers and Rockies are expected to take college hitters.
