Final MLB Mock Draft 2026 Revealed by Kiley McDaniel in New Update, How Does It Compare to B/R?

In the final hours before the start of the 2026 MLB draft, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel dropped an updated mock draft for the top 13 picks based on rumors and speculation floating around the industry.

McDaniel still has the same top three as his previous mock released on Friday, led by UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky going to the Chicago White Sox.

Here is how the top 10 picks in McDaniel's new projection look, as well as how it compares to the final mock from B/R's Joel Reuter.

Pick	ESPN	B/R
1. White Sox	Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA	Emerson
2. Rays	Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian School (TX)	Cholowsky
3. Twins	Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech	Lackey
4. Giants	Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara	Flora
5. Pirates	Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech	Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep (FL)
6. Royals	Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove HS (MS)	Booth
7. Orioles	Derek Curiel, OF, LSU	Burress
8. Athletics	Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M	Bell
9. Braves	Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky	Curiel
10. Rockies	Justin LeBron, SS, Alabama	Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas

Cholowsky, Grady Emerson and Vahn Lackey are widely believed to be the top three picks in this draft, though there remains some mystery about the order they come off the board.

Despite having Cholowsky at No. 1, McDaniel noted his confidence in that pick isn't great right now because the White Sox are keeping a tight lid on their plans.

Right behind the White Sox is the Tampa Bay Rays, who are believed to be "very interested" in Lackey but might "prefer" Emerson.

The Minnesota Twins at No. 3 have the easiest job in the draft because they just wait for whichever one of the big three is still on the board when their turn comes up.

McDaniel's first change from Friday is at No. 4 with the San Francisco Giants now projected to take UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora after he previously had them selecting high school outfielder Eric Booth Jr.

Even if the Giants don't go with Flora, McDaniel noted Florida high school shortstop Jacob Lombard might be the alternative ahead of Booth.

One other notable piece of info from McDaniel is there is said to be a "real chance" each of the top 10 picks ends up signing for under slot.

That could be especially relevant to the later-round plans for teams like the White Sox, Rays and Giants since they have the three highest bonus pool totals to spend on their draft class.

If those teams feel like they can cut a deal early, it could allow them to pay at or over slot later on to add more high-ceiling talent to their farm system.

We will find out a lot of these answers soon with the first four rounds of the 2026 MLB draft taking place on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. ET.