New MLB Mini-Mock Draft and 2026 Top 85 Big Board Rankings Drops from ESPN's Kiley McDaniel
Two months into the college baseball season, the top of the 2026 MLB draft class is more muddled now than it seemed like it was going to be.
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel dropped a new top-85 big board and mini-mock draft on Friday, with UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky still ranked as the No. 1 prospect and favored to be the top pick by the Chicago White Sox.
| 1. White Sox | Roch Cholowsky, SS |
| 2. Rays | Grady Emerson, SS |
| 3. Twins | Vahn Lackey, C |
| 4. Giants | Jackson Flora, RHP |
| 5. Pirates | Jacob Lombard, SS |
| 6. Royals | Liam Peterson, RHP |
| 7. Orioles | Justin Lebron, SS |
| 8. A's | Eric Booth Jr., OF |
| 9. Braves | Chris Hacopian, SS |
| 10. Rockies | Drew Burress, OF |
| 11. Nationals | Ryder Helfrick, C |
| 12. Angels | Cameron Flukey, RHP |
| 13. Cardinals | Jared Grindlinger, OF/RHP |
McDaniel has Cholowsky alone in the 60 future value tier, but noted scouts have expressed a twinge of skepticism about his upside because he falls into the range of good tools across the board rather than having any true elite skill.
"If you were going to pick nits (scouts are as good at this as anyone), he's not the long, lean type of athlete you'd prefer and you could argue he has a bunch of above-average to plus tools, but no plus-plus, standout ability," McDaniel wrote.
The report cited Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman as two names that scouts often bring up in comparison to Cholowsky.
Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson is the No. 2 prospect and all alone in the 55 FV tier, with McDaniel noting it's not hard to envision a scenario in which he has a rapid ascent through the minors like recent high school picks Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle that could make him a strong consideration for the White Sox.
Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, UC Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora and Alabama shortstop Justin LeBron round out the top five prospects on McDaniel's big board.
Lackey has been one of the breakout stars of the college season so far. He was a well-regarded prospect when the season began, ranking 21st on McDaniel's initial top-50 big board released on Feb. 20.
The Yellow Jackets standout already has more homers in 36 games this season (12) than he did in 96 games over the previous two years combined (10). He's also hitting .386/.509/.765 in 132 at-bats.
Given that there's also no real concern about Lackey's ability to stay behind the plate in pro ball, he seems unlikely to wait long before hearing his name called when the draft begins.
Jared Grindlinger, the final pick in McDaniel's mini-mock, is one of the most intriguing high-school talents in the class because he has value as both an outfielder and pitcher.
There are some conflicting reports about what the best path forward for Grindlinger is. McDaniel noted he's a first-round talent as an outfielder, and a potential first- or second-round talent as a pitcher who could do both for awhile in the minors to determine where he can produce the most value.
McDaniel wrote there is a "lean toward hitting" for Grindlinger, but The Athletic's Keith Law recently noted scouts feel like hitting is the "less likely path" for him to start his career.
Grindlinger reclassified into this year's draft and has a college commitment to Tennessee if he opts not to sign.
The 2026 MLB draft will be held from July 12-13 in Philadelphia as part of the All-Star festivities.
