New 2026 MLB Mock Draft Ahead of College Baseball Super Regionals
The 16-team field for super regionals on the road to the College World Series is set, which means for the bulk of college players the season is now over, and the same is true at the high school level with the school year coming to a close.
Notably absent from the super regionals pool is UCLA, who has been the No. 1 team in the nation for much of the year and has the consensus top player in the 2026 draft class in shortstop Roch Cholowsky. As the predraft process continues to unfold, a clear top-six has emerged in the 2026 draft class, though there's still room for some late risers to shake up the board.
Ahead is a full mock of the first 40 picks. That allows at least one pick for all 30 teams, as the Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays and Dodgers all had their first selection moved back 10 spots as a penalty for exceeding the highest level of the luxury-tax threshold.
In case you missed it: B/R's 2026 MLB Mock Draft Ahead of CBB Conference Tournaments (5/20)
Nos. 1-3
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1. Chicago White Sox: SS Roch Cholowsky, UCLA
Cholowsky remains the heavy favorite to go No. 1 overall, though UCLA's surprising early exit during regional play means his junior season ended sooner than expected. He finished the spring with a .320/.452/.636 line and 21 home runs while continuing to play a rock solid shortstop defensively.
A less-than-spectacular .308/.358/.496 line and only six home runs in 153 plate appearances during conference play has at least opened up the conversation to other candidates. Grady Emerson and Vahn Lackey would be the only viable alternatives unless the White Sox were to go way outside the box.
2. Tampa Bay Rays: SS Grady Emerson, Fort Worth Christian School (TX)
With no glaring weakness and legitimate five-tool upside, Emerson is the best prep player in this class, and he has a higher ceiling than last year's No. 1 overall pick Eli Willits. The Rays long-standing organizational need at catcher means they will at least have to consider Vahn Lackey, who looks like a future star behind the plate. However, it would be an upset if anyone but Cholowsky and Emerson go 1-2 at this point.
3. Minnesota Twins: C Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech
With a .397/.519/.772 line that included 16 doubles, 20 home runs, 78 RBI, 15 steals and more walks (50) than strikeouts (38), Lackey has raised his stock as much as anyone this spring. With a strong throwing arm and plus athleticism behind the plate, he has the tools to develop into a standout defender, giving him the potential to be a true franchise catcher.
Nos. 4-6
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4. San Francisco Giants: RHP Jackson Flora, UC Santa Barbara
Flora has been far and away the most consistent performer in the college pitcher class all spring, going 12-0 with a 1.06 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 133 strikeouts in 102 innings. With a durable 6'5" frame, a 70-grade fastball that bumps triple-digits and a pair of polished offspeed pitches, he offers the requisite mix of upside and floor to be the top arm off the board.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates: SS Jacob Lombard, Gulliver Prep (FL)
The Pirates would no doubt pounce on Vahn Lackey if he slides this far given their glaring organization need at catcher, but assuming the top three picks play out as expected, high-ceiling high schoolers Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. are the most likely targets. Lombard has a 60-power, 65-speed profile and plenty of room to grow into his 6'3", 195-pound frame.
6. Kansas City Royals: OF Eric Booth Jr., Oak Grove HS (MS)
An elite athlete and one of the fastest players in the 2026 class, Booth has also showcased the bat speed and raw pop to be more than just a burner. He won the Home Run Derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic last summer, and he has had as much helium as anyone this spring. A 20-homer, 40-steal everyday center fielder could be his future outcome.
Nos. 7-9
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7. Baltimore Orioles: OF Drew Burress, Georgia Tech
In 179 games over the last three seasons at Georgia Tech, Burress has hit .357/.484/.720 with 60 home runs, 189 RBI and more walks (160) than strikeouts (122). He has significantly more power than his 5'9", 185-pound frame suggests, and should be a clean fit in center field at the next level. All of that has helped elevate him to the top of the college outfielder demographic.
8. Athletics: SS Tyler Bell, Kentucky
Bell suffered a shoulder injury on Opening Day, and it sapped some of his power early in the spring once he returned. However, an uptick in exit velocity and more frequent loft in his swing has given him some late helium. He wrapped up his sophomore campaign with a .343/.510/.608 line and 19 extra-base hits in 194 plate appearances, and has now joined the top 10 conversation.
9. Atlanta Braves: LHP Gio Rojas, Stoneman Douglas HS (FL)
The Braves pick again at No. 26 overall, and given their willingness to dip into the prep pitcher pool, there is some logic to cutting a below-slot deal at this spot. With a projectable 6'4", 190-pound frame, three quality pitches and advanced command, Rojas offers the best combination of polish and potential among this year's high school crop.
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Nos. 10-12
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10. Colorado Rockies: RHP Liam Peterson, Florida
The results did not match the stuff for Peterson this spring, as he logged a 4.59 ERA while surrendering 84 hits and 11 home runs in 84.1 innings, but he remains a first-round prospect on potential alone. He has the prototypical starter's build at 6'5" and 225 pounds, and with an upper 90s fastball and three playable secondary pitches, he logged a 30.2 percent strikeout rate.
11. Washington Nationals: SS Justin Lebron, Alabama
An inconsistent spring has moved Lebron down draft boards, but the raw tools that made him a candidate to go No. 1 overall heading into the spring are still present. He has a 60-power, 60-speed profile and all the physical traits to be a plus defender at shortstop. And for all the talk of his down year, he has still posted a .925 OPS with 16 home runs and 40 steals in 57 games.
12. Los Angeles Angels: 2B Chris Hacopian, Texas A&M
Hacopian has the polish and MLB-readiness that the Angels have often prioritized in recent years, with a 60-grade hit tool that ranks among the best in the entire class. He made a smooth transition to the SEC this spring after two seasons at Maryland, hitting .319/.405/.578 with 11 home runs and more walks (25) than strikeouts (21). His bat will carry his value, with second base or left field his likely future home defensively.
Nos. 13-15
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13. St. Louis Cardinals: C Ryder Helfrick, Arkansas
Helfrick is the best defensive catcher in the 2026 class, and his improved offensive game might be enough for him to come off the board inside the top 10. He posted a .979 OPS with 18 home runs this spring while also raising his walk rate from 13.6 to 19.1 percent. There are a lot of similarities between him and Shea Langeliers at the same point in his development.
14. Miami Marlins: OF Trevor Condon, Etowah HS (GA)
Condon has enjoyed some late helium this spring thanks to his exciting combination of standout hit tool and top-of-the-scale speed, which has drawn some comparisons to former Phillies star Lenny Dykstra. His swing doesn't have much loft, but his ability to consistently find the barrel suggests there might be more power to come. For the Marlins, he would immediately profile as the center fielder of the future.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks: LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger, Huntington Beach HS (CA)
Scouts remain split on whether Grindlinger profiles best on the mound or in the batter's box, but after reclassifying in February he has been steadily climbing draft boards this spring. He does not turn 18 years old until next April, and it's not out of the question to think he could continue to get two-way looks before the team that drafts him decides on his best long-term path.
Nos. 16-18
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16. Texas Rangers: OF Aiden Robbins, Texas
With a terrific .339/.423/.697 line and 11 home runs over 130 plate appearances during SEC play, Robbins has seemingly leapfrogged at least half a dozen other college outfielders on draft boards. He has slugged 23 home runs total this spring after hitting just 12 in his two seasons at Seton Hall, and he has played a good enough center field for the Longhorns to believe he might be able to stick there.
17. Houston Astros: LHP Cole Carlon, Arizona State
After logging 86 strikeouts in 54 innings pitching primarily in relief as a sophomore, Carlon has proven himself in a starting role this spring with a 3.87 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 83.2 innings. He is less polished than some of the other college arms in this same range, but the Astros have a knack for turning pure stuff into results, and he offers an extremely high floor as a fast-moving reliever if he needs to return to that role.
18. Cincinnati Reds: RHP Cameron Flukey, Coastal Carolina
Flukey spent much of the spring sidelined with a stress fracture in his rib, finishing with a 4.13 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 24 innings of work. The 6'6", 210-pound right-hander had a 3.19 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 118 strikeouts in 101.2 innings as a sophomore while helping to pitch Coastal Carolina to the College World Series finals, and he entered the spring as a candidate to be the first pitcher taken. At this spot, he could be one of the steals of the draft.
Nos. 19-21
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19. Cleveland Guardians: OF Sawyer Strosnider, TCU
The draft board is lining up in a way that the Guardians should have their pick of several college bats in this range, including Strosnider, Derek Curiel, AJ Gracia, and Ace Reese. With a 1.040 OPS and a staggering 62 extra-base hits in 485 plate appearances over the last two seasons, Strosnider sits atop that group with the potential to be a power/speed center fielder.
20. Boston Red Sox: 3B Bo Lowrance, Christ Church Episcopal HS (SC)
With a smooth left-handed swing and a 55-hit, 50-power offensive profile, Lowrance has been flying up draft boards this spring, and he has started getting some legitimate first-round buzz in recent weeks. His bat-to-ball skills, track record on the showcase circuit and highly projectable 6'5", 200-pound frame give him a major up arrow, and the Red Sox have often targeted prep infielders early.
21. San Diego Padres: LHP Brody Bumila, Bishop Feehan HS (MA)
It almost feels lazy at this point to mock a high school left-hander to the Padres, but Robby Snelling (2022), Kash Mayfield (2024) and Kruz Schoolcraft (2025) is enough evidence to point to a clear tendency. The towering 6'9" Bumila stands out for his high-octane fastball and elite athleticism that helped him star on the basketball court, though his secondary stuff will need time to develop.
Nos. 22-25
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22. Detroit Tigers: LHP Hunter Dietz, Arkansas
Dietz has pitched himself into the first-round picture with a 3.47 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 59.2 innings over 11 starts in SEC play, effectively erasing a trying first two seasons on campus at Arkansas. Between a stress fracture in his elbow and a setback the following season, he pitched just 1.2 innings total as a freshman and sophomore, but the 6'6" southpaw has been overpowering this spring.
23. Chicago Cubs: RHP Tegan Kuhns, Tennessee
Kuhns weathered a brief demotion to the bullpen to finish his draft-eligible sophomore season with a 3.56 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 106-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 81 innings. He has an elite fastball-curveball combination and a great feel for spinning the ball, and there is more projection remaining in his 6'3", 189-pound frame than most college pitchers.
24. Seattle Mariners: RHP Logan Reddemann, UCLA
Reddemann was dealt a major blow when UCLA was upset in regional play, as it slammed the door on him potentially returning from the arm fatigue that has sidelined him since April 17. Prior to being shut down, he went 8-0 with a 2.87 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 59.2 innings over 10 starts. He will be one to watch at the Draft Combine, and should still slot comfortably into the first round as long as there are no lingering issues.
25. Milwaukee Brewers: 2B Chris Rembert, Auburn
One of the best draft-eligible sophomores in the class, Rembert has hit .345/.433/.508 with 27 doubles, 14 home runs and 91 RBI in 113 games during his two seasons at Auburn. He has the bat speed and strength to develop into a power threat if he can find more loft in his swing, and his proven track record of production makes that an attractive bet at the back of the first round.
Nos. 26-28
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26. Atlanta Braves: OF Derek Curiel, LSU
PPI pick for Drake Baldwin winning NL Rookie of the Year
Curiel could go off the board 10 picks sooner if a team thinks there is more extra-base pop in the tank. As it stands, his contact skills, speed and clean fit defensively in center field still make him a first-round talent. There is something to be said for the key role he played as a true freshman on LSU's national championship team a year ago.
27. New York Mets: LHP Mason Edwards, USC
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding top of luxury-tax threshold
Edwards won Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors after going 8-0 with a 1.85 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and an eye-popping 164 strikeouts in 92.2 innings. His mid-90s fastball plays up with good carry, and he has a good feel for spinning a breaking ball and dropping in a changeup. His 11.4 percent walk rate brings with it some reliever risk, but the results this spring are impossible to ignore.
28. Houston Astros: RHP Cade Townsend, Ole Miss
PPI pick for Hunter Brown finishing top-three in AL Cy Young
With 14 earned runs allowed in 11.1 innings over his last three starts, Townsend has faded a bit down the stretch, but he still has a 3.94 ERA and 88 strikeouts over 64 innings on the year. He has a great feel for spinning his breaking stuff and a plus changeup, and his pure stuff makes him a nice upside play at the back of the first round.
Competitive Balance A Picks
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Competitive Balance Round A Picks
All teams that have either one of the 10 smallest markets or 10 smallest revenue pools receive an additional pick at the end of the first or second round. The groups of teams alternate between the two rounds each year. These are the only picks that are eligible to be traded.
The Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays and Dodgers also each received a 10-pick penalty on their first selection for exceeding the second luxury-tax threshold, leaving their first picks as part of the Competitive Balance Round A.
29. San Francisco Giants: SS Eric Becker, Virginia
Pick acquired from Guardians in Patrick Bailey trade
30. Kansas City Royals: OF AJ Gracia, Virginia
31. Arizona Diamondbacks: 3B Ace Reese, Mississippi State
32. St. Louis Cardinals: SS Aiden Ruiz, The Stony Brook School (NY)
33. Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Jack Radel, Notre Dame
Pick acquired from Orioles in Shane Baz trade
34. Pittsburgh Pirates: OF Zion Rose, Louisville
35. New York Yankees: C Daniel Jackson, Georgia
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding top of luxury-tax threshold
36. Philadelphia Phillies: SS Archer Horn, St. Ignatius College Prep (CA)
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding top of luxury-tax threshold
37. Colorado Rockies: 1B Gavin Grahovac, Texas A&M
Second Round
38. Colorado Rockies: LHP Carson Bolemon, Southside Christian School (SC)
39. Toronto Blue Jays: RHP Taylor Rabe, Ole Miss
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding top of luxury-tax threshold
40. Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Caden Sorrell, Texas A&M
First pick moved back 10 spots for exceeding top of luxury-tax threshold
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