The 2026 MLB Draft, set for July 11, looks like one of the most intriguing classes in recent memory. It’s headlined by a deep group of shortstops and a wide mix of power, speed, and pitching talent.
The Chicago White Sox landed the No. 1 overall pick. With some tax penalties reshaping the back half of the first round, this draft could really shake up the league’s competitive balance for years.
Shortstops Dominate the Top of the 2026 MLB Draft
This draft class is loaded, but shortstops stand out above everything else. Nine of the first 25 projected picks are shortstops, showing how much teams value athletes who can stick in the middle of the diamond.
Roch Cholowsky: The White Sox’s Franchise Cornerstone?
The White Sox got lucky in the draft lottery, grabbing the No. 1 pick. Early buzz points to UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky as their likely choice.
Cholowsky is widely seen as the top prospect in the class. He brings four plus tools and a reputation for a high baseball IQ—the kind of package that front offices drool over.
Cholowsky can make an impact both at the plate and in the field. His athleticism and instincts suggest he could move quickly through the minors.
For a White Sox team desperate for a steady infield presence, he really looks like a future face of the franchise.
Grady Emerson and Justin Lebron Headline the Next Tier
The shortstop run doesn’t stop with Cholowsky. With the second pick, the Tampa Bay Rays are expected to go after high school standout Grady Emerson.
Emerson’s elite speed and big upside make him a great fit for the Rays, who have a knack for developing young, toolsy players.
The Minnesota Twins are projected to grab Justin Lebron from Alabama at No. 3. Lebron offers a shot at developing five plus tools, which is pretty rare at any position.
If his bat clicks, he could become one of the most exciting players in the class. The Twins might land a real star here.
Pitching Depth Adds Balance to a Hitter-Heavy Draft
Even with all the shortstop and bat hype, the 2026 MLB Draft isn’t just about offense. There’s a strong group of college and prep pitchers available, giving teams plenty of options on the mound.
Top Arms: Carson Bolemon and Cameron Flukey
Two pitchers are getting early attention. Carson Bolemon, a lefty from Southside Christian High School, stands out for his size, stuff, and upside.
His fastball and breaking ball already look advanced. Teams looking to gamble on high school pitching will be interested.
Cameron Flukey from Coastal Carolina leads the college arms. He’s a right-hander with a strong arsenal and real competitiveness.
Flukey’s track record against tough hitters and his knack for missing bats should get him off the board quickly.
Outfield and Catcher Prospects Bring Power and Defense
The 2026 class also features outfielders and catchers who can impact both sides of the game. Teams hoping for middle-of-the-order bats who can stick on defense will have some solid choices.
Drew Burress, Derek Curiel, and a New Wave of Catchers
Drew Burress of Georgia Tech and Derek Curiel of LSU headline the outfielders. Both mix offensive firepower with defensive reliability, which is exactly what teams want in everyday big league outfielders.
Their ability to help in several areas should make them attractive in the first round.
At catcher, Vahn Lackey (Georgia Tech) and Ryder Helfrick (Arkansas) could come off the board early. Catchers who can handle a staff, control the run game, and hit are hard to find.
Lackey and Helfrick both fit that mold. Teams might see them as long-term answers at a tough position.
Tax Penalties Shake Up the First-Round Order
There’s another twist to the 2026 MLB Draft. Several big-market clubs—Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, and Dodgers—will feel the pain of the competitive balance tax.
All of them had their first-round picks pushed back ten spots as a penalty.
How the Draft Order Shift Impacts Strategy
These penalties could really shake up how the first round plays out. Teams that usually pick in the middle now have a tougher shot at elite talent, so they might go for:
On the flip side, teams that benefited from the lottery and tax shake-up have a rare chance to speed up their rebuilds or add depth to already-strong systems.
A Deep and Balanced 2026 Draft Class
The shortstop-heavy top of the board jumps out right away. Add in the quality pitching options, and you start to see why people are buzzing about this draft.
There’s also legit two-way potential in the outfield and behind the plate. The 2026 MLB Draft just feels unusually balanced and deep.
You’ve got high-ceiling high school athletes. Then there are the polished college stars, so every team can find something that fits their style.
With July 11 creeping up, front offices will dig even deeper into this talent pool. The choices they make this year—well, they could shape their franchises for the next decade, maybe longer.
Here is the source article for this story: Here’s Pipeline’s first full 2026 mock draft
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