Just under two months remain until the 2026 MLB Draft. Conference tournaments are set to begin soon, and for some prep prospects, the high school season has already come to a close. In this mock draft, we'll attempt to forecast the first 40 picks, complete with analysis and team-by-team reasoning.
Each pick includes a link to the player's full Prospect Porch scouting profile, click on their name to dive deeper into their reports, grades, stats, and more.
Grady Emerson has emerged as more of a contender for this pick than many might have expected at the start of the year. You could argue that he ultimately has the higher ceiling, and the White Sox may be able to save some money going that route. That said, it's hard to see Chicago shying away from the safety and security that is Roch Cholowsky. Cholowsky could immediately enter professional baseball as a top-10 prospect in the sport and end up a 4-5 WAR regular at the big league level. It's pretty easy to see a world where he's up and contributing to whichever team drafts him by 2027; he's already just such a polished player on both sides of the ball. Cholowsky has really done nothing to loosen his grip on the top spot in this class.
The most likely scenario here is that the Rays take whichever of Cholowsky or Emerson falls to them. That said, they've been scouting both Jacob Lombard and reportedly Vahn Lackey as well, so they're definitely evaluating other options. In this case Emerson makes it to 2, and he fits what the Rays have hunted in recent draft classes. It's above-average tools across the board and one of the most solidified, proven hit tools in the prep class. There are people who think Vahn Lackey is the better prospect at this stage. His potential five-tool skillset behind the plate will be intriguing, and you can dream on 30-30 upside with Lombard, but it's still hard not to see the Rays leaning towards Emerson, similar to most of the industry.
I'm sure Twins fans are hoping that one of Cholowsky or Emerson falls to them, but Lackey is far from a consolation prize. Viewed as a middle-of-the-first-round type player headed into the year, Lackey has transformed into one of the more exciting catching prospects we've seen in a while. It's true gold glove potential behind the plate with plus or better arm strength and athleticism that is hard to find at the position. Combine that with an above-average hit tool, strong swing decisions, and burgeoning power, and it's easy to dream on Lackey developing into an All-Star caliber backstop.
The Giants scouted Jacob Lombard heavily all spring, and he seems to be the favorite to be the selection here. There are still major hit tool questions that may scare some teams off, but Lombard's upside is second to none in this class. He could be a 30-30 type player, all while playing an elite shortstop. How much he hits will ultimately determine the amount of upside he fully taps into. The Giants acquiring the No. 29 pick has sparked some public conversation around them potentially trying to drag Roch Cholowsky down to this pick. That said, it just doesn't feel like a realistic outcome.
The future in Pittsburgh gets even brighter. Flora is the clear-cut top arm in this draft class, and a name that would be a bit shocking if he falls very far. While the fastball has at times struggled to garner whiffs this spring, Flora is still up to 100 mph with awesome extension. His newly added kick change looks like a potential future plus offering, making for a pretty complete arsenal when mixed with his cutter and sweeper. Another player that fits recent Pirate trends is Eric Booth Jr., but there's some speculation they will lean towards a college player due to their more recent competitive window.
People have continually linked Gio Rojas and other under-slot arms to the Royals at this pick, but Eric Booth Jr.'s toolset may be too much to pass on. The Oak Grove outfielder has some of the best raw traits out of any prep bat in this draft class, with 70-grade wheels, plus bat speed, above-average bat-to-ball skills, and improving defense. It's pretty easy to dream on five-tool upside.
The expectation is that Baltimore will select a college bat in this spot given what their recent draft classes have looked like. Burress has been heating up at the plate as of late with a bit of a power surge, and he looks like someone who could fit here with the Orioles. He's got a strong chance to stick in center field, and his long track record of performance at the collegiate level will favor models.
The Athletics continue to lean into the college demographic, this time selecting one of the more complete bats in the class. Few in the country have put up the combination of exit velocities and bat-to-ball metrics that Hacopian has this year in the SEC. He features a long track record of success, and even though he's not the most dynamic athlete, he may have a chance to stay at second or third base at the next level.
We're still quite high on AJ Gracia, but it seems he has a wide range of outcomes for where he could ultimately land on draft day. Gracia has been a steady producer across three years in college; however, some of his metrics have slightly regressed from where they were last year, and people also have concerns about his ability to stick in center field. This is still one of the top college bats in the class, but also one that could slip a little further than expected on draft day, potentially to a team in the 20s.
It's hard to pin down where the Rockies could ultimately go, though a college bat seems most likely just given the range they are picking in. Helfrick has been a big riser this spring, someone whose bat-to-ball skills have jumped multiple grades, and he's still showcasing plus raw power paired with an above-average defensive package behind the dish. In a class full of uncertainty he feels like a name that continues to rise.
Bell has been really, really good since coming back from a shoulder injury, and has mashed even while seeing mostly SEC competition. He's making excellent swing decisions and getting on base plenty; the only real critiques have been the issues he's had against breaking balls. That said, it's a smaller wart to pick at given some of the other struggles of the top college bats in the class. Bell feels like a Paul Toboni type pick.
The Angels are naturally going to be connected to fast-moving college players, and while Flukey has at times struggled since coming back from a stress fracture in his rib, he has a considerable college track record and stuff to back it up. A bat like Derek Curiel could also make sense in this spot, given his hitting track record and ability to play center field.
Gio Rojas has a pretty wide variety of spots where he could end up landing. He could go as high as inside the top 10, but there's also a chance he falls to a team in the 20s given how this draft is lined up. The lefty from Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida had a really strong spring, and could be someone who takes a huge jump if he lands in the right pro development system. For our money he's the top prep arm in this draft class.
Curiel struggled a bit during the first few weeks of the year, but he's been solid through conference play and is putting up nearly identical stats to his freshman season. His exit velocities as a whole have increased, and he's also metrically been one of the top defensive outfielders in college baseball this year. Those factors paired with his top-of-the-class bat-to-ball skills and track record of hitting could make him an intriguing option in the 10-20 pick range for most teams.
Grindlinger is the top two-way talent in this class by a wide margin, and someone who feels more and more unlikely to fall outside the top 20 picks. It will be interesting to see how whoever drafts him will approach his development, though it sounds like plenty of teams like the bat. Grindlinger has outstanding bat-to-ball skills as well as pitch recognition, with plenty of power still left in his lean frame. On the mound he's been up to 96 with an above-average changeup and feel for manipulating the baseball. Grindlinger is also one of the youngest players in this class, only 17.2 on draft day.
Condon has elevated himself into the second tier of prep bats this spring, and it wouldn't be surprising for him to go within this 10-20 pick range. He's a double-plus runner with outstanding bat-to-ball skills and potentially one of the best center field gloves in this high school class. There is also plenty of college talent (especially arms) left on the board at this stage that the Rangers could consider.
Lebron is a really tough name to place in this class, the hit tool is really going to hold him back. Lebron has seen some struggles against SEC competition for the third year in a row, and he's had a clear problem with identifying and adjusting to any sort of secondary pitches. On the flip side, Lebron has one of the highest upsides in the entire class. He's a buttery smooth defender at shortstop, one of the top stolen base threats in the country, and also a guy who could grow into 25+ home run output. The Astros feel like a team that could pull the trigger on him. They haven't picked inside the top 20 picks since 2017, and are sure to take advantage of their draft capital this year. They'll also have another selection inside the top 30 picks.
Strosnider was considered by some as a top-10 talent to start the year, but he struggled in conference play, and comes with some hit tool risk that will likely push him further down some boards. That said, he may be the most explosive college outfielder in this class. It's plus power projection, and tools to man center field in pro ball despite currently playing mostly right field at TCU. The Reds have shown in the past that they aren't afraid to hunt upside.
Peterson has struggled with strikes at times and will require some refinement at the next level, but his ceiling on the mound may ultimately compete with any arm in the country. He's coming off a seven-inning gem against LSU, and could be a name that rises up a bit more with a strong postseason performance. The Guardians are known as a model-heavy team, and if they're content in drafting a bat, they've historically targeted up-the-middle profiles. Derek Curiel feels like an awesome fit if he makes it here.
Zion Rose has done nothing but hit since coming back from an ankle injury he sustained earlier in the year, and has quickly been rising up draft boards. He somewhat fits what the Red Sox have targeted in recent years, and it feels like every aspect of his game has ticked up over the past 12 months. Rose has played left field at Louisville with Lucas Moore on the same squad, but there's a real chance he gets to start off pro ball in center field.
Lowrance is a buzzy name who is getting talked about more and more as a potential name to watch in the middle of the first round. He's rumored to be a tough sign away from Virginia, but seems to have plenty of suitors willing to pay the price early on. He has exciting power projection that has shown up plenty this spring, paired with rare bat-to-ball skills for his size and length. The Padres feel like a really good fit, a team that is known for drafting prep talent early and hunting tools. It wouldn't be that surprising if a team who really believes in the bat takes him even earlier.
The Tigers went under-slot last year when selecting Jordan Yost at No. 24 overall, who's to say they don't do it again? Horn has had a really solid spring and could be one of the many high school shortstops who could sneak their way into the first through comp round range. He's an excellent athlete who may get a chance to play shortstop at the next level, and features a smooth left-handed swing with solid bat-to-ball skills.
Kuhns has a chance to go inside the top 20 picks if he performs well in a deep postseason run, but he feels like a relatively safe bet at this point to go within the first round. The clay here is plenty intriguing, Kuhns could be a dangerous arm if he lands in the right organization.
Reddemann felt like someone that was trending towards being a top 20 pick at one point in the season, but arm fatigue has had him sidelined over the past few weeks. That said, Reddemann's resume this year is still plenty impressive. Along with striking out 18 against Rutgers and featuring a 2.87 ERA, Reddemann has been up to 99 mph with his fastball while showcasing an exciting five-pitch mix. He has a chance to develop into plus command, and though physically maxed out, he could be one of the higher floor college arms in this class.
Schmidt is a Brewers Area Code team alumnus, and feels like a good fit at this pick. He's a really good mover down the mound who's been up to 97 mph with two solid secondaries. There's still plenty left in the tank.
The Braves haven't hidden their affinity for going after pitching early on in recent drafts, and it's likely they do so this year with one of their first two selections. Townsend's SEC performance has cooled off a bit towards the end of the year, but he undeniably has one of the most exciting pitch mixes in the class. He's up to 98 with a high-carry fastball, and multiple breaking pitches that could end up plus. The command has also jumped multiple grades this year.
Reese seems like more of a back-of-the-first-round name at this point. He's been struggling considerably more in conference play compared to last year, swinging and missing at a higher clip than in the past. Reese is still showcasing loud power potential, and he could be a name that a team like the Mets could take a shot on in this range.
Carlon is the top college lefty in the class at this stage, with one of the most devastating breaking balls in the country in his upper-80s slider. He's also touched 100.7, and has settled in surprisingly well in his first year as a starter with Arizona State. Yes, there is some reliever risk, but it's fun to dream on what the right player development system could do if they got their hands on him. Carlon did leave his last start following a drop off in velocity, which could be something to monitor. We are unaware of the status and severity of that injury. The Astros could also look to take a shot on a prep bat they like in this range.
This was originally the Guardians' pick, but the Giants acquired it through a trade and look to make some noise here. Borthwick could go about 10 spots higher than this and it wouldn't be a surprise to anyone. He's up to 100 mph with a plus slider, a rare combination of feel for pitching and power stuff. In this case, the Giants have the money to afford him and walk away with the top prep righty in the class.
Bumila is another name in this class that's hard to place. He's 6-foot-8, an ultra-athletic mover down the mound, and has been up to 101 from the left side coming from a low slot. Off pure talent he would go within the top 10 picks, but there are some things that are sure to scare teams off. He's coming off an internal brace surgery that caused him to miss all of last summer, and he doesn't have the most developed array of secondary offerings. You could also point to the fact that he hasn't faced much high level competition, and the left-handed pitching demographic as a whole is a risky one. The Royals are a team that's shown they aren't afraid to chase ceiling and upside, and it feels like they would take him if he fell here. That said, it wouldn't be all that shocking to see Bumila inside the first 20 picks.
Aiden Ruiz fits the exact mold of what the Diamondbacks have looked for early in past draft classes. It's a smaller frame with standout bat-to-ball skills, and potentially the best shortstop glove in the class. It sounds as though the impact has even ticked up a bit this spring. He'll be old for the class and won't be a name that pops significantly on models, but he still feels like someone who could go in this range.
The Cardinals feel like a potential landing spot for some of the fast-rising prep bats in this class, and Marchand is a name that makes perfect sense. He's got a bit of an unorthodox swing and an aggressive approach, but the bat-to-ball skills are strong, and the bat speed continually seems to tick up. Despite being a fringy runner, Marchand may also get a chance to stick at shortstop.
The Rays love their hitters, and you could make an argument that Prosek has one of the best pure hit tools in the prep class. He's coming off an unbelievable spring where he annihilated Mississippi high school competition, also flashing more power than he did over the summer. Prosek spent some time catching this spring as well, and some people think he may now play there in pro ball.
Brunson has an exciting blend of tools, and will be someone who grades out well on models for his age and underlying metrics. It wouldn't be surprising to see him off the board earlier than this.
Robbins is a bit of a polarizing prospect. His surface numbers look solid, but there are some looming questions about how much he'll be able to sustain his success in pro ball. There are some big whiff and chase concerns, and he's shown little adjustability to pitches outside the zone, particularly breaking balls. It also wouldn't come as a surprise if the Yankees take a high ceiling prep bat here given their recent draft classes, but Robbins is the best player available on the board.
Few in the country have put up the numbers that Edwards has this year. He owns a 1.49 ERA and a gaudy 45% strikeout rate. There is some reliever risk, and the fastball velocity has been a bit underwhelming at times, but it's hard to see him sliding too far given the performance.
Bolemon had a bit of an underwhelming spring from a stuff perspective, but he features a long track record of success against the best competition in the country, and looked like a top 15 pick coming off the summer circuit. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Rockies take a shot on a high school arm given the strength of the demographic and the size of their bonus pool.
Becker has been just alright this year at Virginia, and hasn't really taken any notable steps forward compared to last year. He still features a high floor, and would be a solid value pick for the Rockies here at 38.
Some publications consider Hunter Dietz the best college lefty in the class, and he's certainly made a strong case for that argument this year at Arkansas. The medical history may scare some teams off, but the stuff and performance Dietz has shown this year is worthy of a top 40 pick.
Hughes has been just as expected in 2026, and is again hitting the cover off the baseball. He's sneakily one of the more complete bats in this draft class, with metrics that will light up models. His defensive home may be a lingering question, but the bat more than plays. It wouldn't be shocking to see him go inside the top 30 picks.