Ranking Top 10 Shortstops of 2026 MLB Draft Class Including Roch Cholowsky, Justin LeBron

Shortstop is always a loaded position in an MLB draft class, as prospects often begin their pro career at the position before shifting elsewhere as they climb the organizational ladder.

It stands to reason that if a guy can play a competent shortstop, he can handle almost any other position, so you will never see a team avoid drafting another shortstop just because it's already an area of strength at the MLB level or down on the farm.

With that in mind, we've highlighted the top 10 shortstops in the 2026 draft class, which has been headlined by UCLA star Roch Cholowsky throughout the predraft process.

Included is a rough range of where each player is currently projected to be selected, though there is still time for that to change as we come down the home stretch of the 2026 high school and college seasons.

10. Dee Kennedy, Kansas State

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Born: 4/5/2005 (21 on draft day)
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 190 lbs

Offense: Kennedy has been one of college baseball's biggest breakout stars at the plate, hitting .361/.464/.757 with 20 home runs, 67 RBI and 21 steals in 52 games. After undergoing LASIK surgery last offseason, he has slashed his strikeout rate from 30.3 to 18.1 percent, and he has flashed some easy power this spring.

Defense: After playing second base as a freshman at Texas and third base last year in his first season at Kansas State, Kennedy has made a smooth transition to shortstop. He has the athleticism and quickness to stay there at the next level, but enough offensive upside to handle a shift.

Projected Pick Range: No. 60-75, rising

9. Tyler Spangler, De La Salle HS (CA)

Born: 10/1/2007 (18 on draft day)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195 lbs

Offense: With clean swing mechanics, a polished approach and good barrel skills, Spangler has one of the safer offensive profiles in the prep shortstop class. He uses the whole field well, and should develop more in-game power as he fills out. His size and offensive game have drawn some comparisons to Corey Seager at the same stage in his development.

Defense: Despite lacking quick-twitch athleticism, he has the instincts and smooth actions to stick at shortstop. There is always the chance a player with his frame and remaining physical projection outgrows the position, which would then put more pressure on his power production.

Projected Pick Range: No. 25-40

8. Aiden Ruiz, The Stony Brook School (NY)

Born: 3/28/2007 (19 on draft day)
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 168 lbs

Offense: A switch-hitter with a contact-over-power approach, Ruiz might never be an impact player offensively. He has strong bat-to-ball skills and a quality approach at the plate, but will likely never have better than average power even if everything clicks.

Defense: Ruiz is the best defensive shortstop in this year's high school class, and he was the starter at the position over Jacob Lombard, Grady Emerson and James Clark for the U18 National Team last summer. He can make the highlight-reel play, but also has sound defensive mechanics and a good internal clock.

Projected Pick Range: Nos. 25-40

7. Eric Becker, Virginia

Born: 4/28/2005 (21 on draft day)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 190 lbs

Offense: A three-year starter at Virginia, Becker is a career .353/.452/.612 hitter with 73 extra-base hits in 134 games. He has simple swing mechanics and looks to spray line drives, but there's potential for more power if he starts to hunt more for impact at the next level given his standout bat-to-ball skills.

Defense: His instincts give him a chance to stick at shortstop, but he played third base for Team USA last summer and could also profile well at second base. Expect him to at least start his pro career at shortstop, with the intangibles to exceed expectations defensively.

Projected Pick Range: Nos. 10-25

6. James Clark, St. John Bosco School (CA)

Born: 9/6/2007 (18 on draft day)
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 195 lbs

Offense: A steady riser up draft boards since last spring when he won MVP honors in California's Trinity League as a junior, Clark has inched closer to the Emerson/Lombard tier. He is rarely fooled and makes consistent, hard contact while showing an advanced approach at the plate. His swing is geared for contact over power, but there's plenty of untapped upside.

Defense: Scouts seem split on whether Clark will stick at shortstop, but his strong arm and instincts give him at least a chance to remain at the premium spot. If he does need to move, second base would be a clean fit, and third base is also a possibility with more pop.

Projected Pick Range: Nos. 15-35

5. Tyler Bell, Kentucky

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Born: 6/30/2005 (21 on draft day)
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lbs

Offense: A draft-eligible sophomore who was the highest unsigned pick in the 2024 draft when he went No. 66 overall, Bell has been a standout performer since stepping foot onto campus at Kentucky. He is hitting .354/.535/.584 with 14 extra-base hits this spring, and has lowered his strikeout rate from 22.3 to 16.4 percent.

Defense: Bell checks the boxes for both instincts and athleticism at shortstop, and should have no problem handling the position at the next level. He has been playing through a shoulder injury this year, but it's to his non-throwing shoulder and should not be a long-term issue.

Projected Pick Range: Nos. 15-25

4. Justin Lebron, Alabama

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Born: 11/3/2004 (21 on draft day)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180 lbs

Offense: Lebron entered the spring as arguably the biggest competition to Roch Cholowsky to go No. 1 overall after hitting .316/.421/.636 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI as a sophomore. That has dipped to a .267/.388/.528 line with a strikeout rate near 20 percent this spring, raising some questions about his contact skills. However, his 60-power, 60-speed profile still gives him one of the highest offensive ceilings in the class.

Defense: Some of his offensive struggles have seemingly spilled into the field this year, but Lebron has the tools and athleticism to be a standout defender at shortstop with terrific range and a strong arm. His power, speed and defense might still be enough to make him a star, even if the hit tool is below average.

Projected Pick Range: No. 5-15

3. Jacob Lombard, Gulliver Prep (FL)

Born: 9/27/2007 (18 on draft day)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 185 lbs

Offense: Lombard has a much higher power ceiling than his younger brother George Lombard Jr., who is the consensus top prospect in the Yankees system right now. There is some swing-and-miss to his game, but he has a good feel for hitting with 60-grade raw power and the potential to grow into a middle-of-the-order role once his 185-pound frame fills out.

Defense: Despite his size, Lombard is a sure-fire shortstop with a great first step, smooth defensive actions and more than enough arm to make any throw. Speed is his best present tool, and while he could lose a step as he matures, he will still have more than enough quickness to handle shortstop.

Projected Pick Range: No. 2-10

2. Grady Emerson, Fort Worth Christian School (TX)

Born: 2/21/2008 (18 on draft day)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180 lbs

Offense: Emerson might have the best hit tool in this year's high school class, with an advanced approach to match his impressive exit velocity numbers. He makes consistent, hard contact to all fields and has the makings of 25-homer power once he matures physically. His bat-to-ball skills will help him maximize his entire offensive package.

Defense: Along with his well-rounded offensive game, Emerson is also devoid of any glaring weakness on the defensive side of things. He has a strong arm, reliable hands and the requisite quickness to make plays in both directions, leaving little doubt he will be a shortstop long-term.

Projected Pick Range: No. 2-5

1. Roch Cholowsky, UCLA

Eric Brown Jr./ISI Photos

Born: 4/7/2005 (21 on draft day)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 202 lbs

Offense: Cholowsky planted his flag as the 2026 draft's top overall prospect by hitting .353/.480/.710 with 23 home runs and more walks (45) than strikeouts (30) as a sophomore. He has followed that up with a 1.163 OPS and 21 long balls through 52 games this year while playing for the best team in the country. The 60-hit, 60-power tool box and elite-level production have led to him being called the best college shortstop prospect since Troy Tulowitzki.

Defense: Despite below-average speed, Cholowsky still profiles as a plus defender at shortstop with no doubt he will man the position for years to come. He possesses many of the same leadership and intangible qualities that Dansby Swanson did coming out of Vanderbilt when he went No. 1 overall in 2015.

Projected Pick Range: Consensus No. 1 overall