How Top MLB Prospects in Mock Drafts Performed in College World Series

The 2026 College World Series reached its conclusion in explosive fashion on Monday night. The fifth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels and the Oklahoma Sooners went to a series-deciding Game 3. The Sooners won it handily, 13-2, to claim their third national championship and first since 1994

Now that the collegiate season is over, fans can fully turn their attention to the 2026 MLB draft, which is scheduled to begin on July 12.

The final series didn't feature any prospects expected to be drafted in the first round—though players like UNC pitcher Ryan Lynch, Oklahoma infielder Camden Johnson, and North Carolina shortstop Jake Schaffner could be second- or third-round picks. However, the bracket in Omaha did feature some names you're likely to find in MLB mock drafts.

Here's a look at the most notable prospects from this year's CWS.

Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama

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Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron might be the only first-round lock who participated in the eight-team field in Omaha. He only appeared in two games, too, as the Crimson Tide were ousted early.

A shutout loss against Oklahoma and a 14-2 loss against Texas prevented Lebron from boosting his draft stock in the CWS—a look at the complete CWS bracket and results can be found at NCAA.com.

Lebron went just 1-for-4 with one strikeout against Oklahoma and 1-for-3 against Texas.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's hard to nail down just where Lebron might be selected at this point. MLB.com's Jim Callis mocked him to the Houston Astros at No. 17, while ESPN's Kiley McDaniel paired him with the Colorado Rockies at No. 10.

"Lebron is a polarizing player who is all over the place on draft boards," McDaniel wrote. "...I think scouts have gotten frustrated watching Lebron not make the leap this year and are overrating how bad his contact issues will be in pro ball."

While Lebron may have had a chance to cement himself as an early first-round pick during the CWS, it wasn't to be.

Cade Townsend, RHP, Mississippi

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Like Alabama, Mississippi lasted just two games in the CWS tournament. After losses to North Carolina and Troy, Ole Miss was out. Unfortunately—or, perhaps, fortunately, depending on your viewpoint—promising pitching prospect Cade Townsend wasn't a part of either game.

Townsend missed the super regionals and the CWS with inflammation in his throwing shoulder. However, he was expected to be one of the top prospects in Omaha if healthy.

McDaniel ranked Townsend third among prospects at the CWS, after Lebron and 2027 prospect and Troy catcher Jimmy Janicki.

"Townsend has looked like a first-rounder all spring with his five above-average pitches (four-seam fastball, cutter, sweeper, curveball, splitter) and starter command (even though his fastball command lags a bit)," McDaniel wrote.

In McDaniel's latest mock draft, Townsend landed with the Cincinnati Reds at No. 18. He went much lower in Callis' mock, landing with the Philadelphia Phillies in the supplemental first round at No. 37.

Townsend didn't get to help his stock in Omaha, but he didn't hurt it either.

Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia

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Georgia made it to the brink of the CWS finals, losing to Oklahoma 11-4 in the semis. Catcher Daniel Jackson did get to make a positive impression during his four games in Omaha.

The Dick Howser Trophy winner wasn't nearly as efficient (4-for-19) as he was during his SEC triple-crown campaign, but he did catch and launch an impressive 447-foot home run against the Sooners.

MLB teams are typically intrigued by prospects who display major-league power.

Jackson ranked fourth on McDaniel's list of CWS prospects and could well wind up going in the middle of the first round. Jackson landed with the Houston Astros at No. 17 in McDaniel's mock.

"One of the biggest risers since my previous mock, Jackson appears to be the Golden Spikes favorite after winning the SEC triple crown as a catcher," McDaniel wrote. "He's an above-average runner and has the tools to stick behind the plate, so his polish as a catcher and contact rates are the only hesitations."

Of course, Jackson hasn't risen enough to be considered a surefire first-rounder. Callis mocked him to the New York Yankees at No. 35 overall.

While Jackson would have benefited from a better contact rate in Omaha,he was able to add a few highlight moments to an already impressive collegiate resume.