2026 MLB Mock Draft 5.0: Updated First-Round Picks After The College World Series & Draft Combine

1. White Sox — Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA

• Bonus Pool: $17,592,100
• Slot Value: $11,350,600

We’ve had Cholowsky as the pick for the White Sox in every iteration of our 2026 mock. In today’s update, I came as close as I ever have to putting Grady Emerson’s name here instead. Ultimately, I still think Cholowsky is most likely, so I’m not going to flip the pick just to shake things up.

I’ve talked with more sources recently who think it’s more likely to be one of Cholowsky or Emerson rather than Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. My best guess at throwing out odds would be something like Cholowsky at 60%, Emerson at 30%, Vahn Lackey at 9% and Jacob Lombard/the field at 1% . Even putting numbers on this probably overstates the confidence I have, though. 

2. Rays — Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS, North Richland Hills, Texas

• Bonus Pool: $19,009,300
• Slot Value: $10,507,000

Like with the first pick, I think this is most likely to be Cholowsky or Emerson—whoever the White Sox don’t take. If Tampa had their choice of the top two players in the class, I’m not sure who they would prefer, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Emerson. Lackey’s name is mentioned here plenty, as well, and there’s some buzz that he might even be their preferred target if the White Sox take Cholowsky, but I’ll stick with Emerson for now. 

3. Twins — Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech

• Bonus Pool: $16,929,600
• Slot Value: $9,740,100

Perhaps the Twins would like to get one of the top two shortstops at this pick, but in this mock, that isn’t happening. If the draft unfolds as it does here, I would expect the Twins to take a college player, either Lackey—who feels the most likely as the third member of a clear top three in this class—or the top pitcher on the board, UC Santa Barbara righthander Jackson Flora. 

4. Giants — Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS, Miami

• Bonus Pool: $17,350,600
• Slot Value: $8,988,400

I’ve continued to hear bat, bat, bat for the Giants. If that’s the case, they are probably hoping Jackson Flora goes in front of them so they can get a shot at one of the top three players in the class. That doesn’t seem likely to happen, though, so I’d expect San Francisco to be picking between Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. 

Booth seems to have gained some steam after the combine and might be more in play for this pick than I expected several weeks ago. The Giants feel less likely to me to take a model-oriented college hitter on a deal at this pick, but I suppose we can’t rule that out entirely.

5. Pirates — Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

• Bonus Pool: $19,130,700
• Slot Value: $8,336,500

Not much has come out of Pirates camp in recent weeks. They’ve gone fairly quiet, so my safest projection for them at this stage is unchanged and remains Flora, who is the clear top pitcher in the class.

Don’t be surprised if things go sideways here, though. This could be the first realistic landing spot for Justin Lebron, for example. I don’t think he’s the most likely option, but it’s also hard to rule out the rumor entirely when you see how the Pirates have drafted in recent years. Both Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. should be in play for this pick, though I’m not sure which of the two prep hitters they would prefer.

6. Royals — Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech

• Bonus Pool: $15,954,000
• Slot Value: $7,746,100

I wouldn’t have expected a quick-moving college player for the Royals in this year’s draft, but it sounds like the current poor play of the major league team could become a real factor in who gets picked here. Burress would make sense if the organization feels the need to add a fast-mover, and other college bats like Justin Lebron or AJ Gracia could be fits, as well.

It’s no real secret that the Kansas City scouting department likes both Jacob Lombard—if he makes it here—and Gio Rojas quite a bit. Eric Booth Jr. also should fit in this range on talent. 

7. Orioles — Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove HS, Hattiesburg, Miss.

• Bonus Pool: $13,114,000
• Slot Value: $7,327,200

Even more than it did a few weeks ago, it feels unlikely that Booth makes it beyond this pick. Booth, Lombard and Burress are the names I hear most often with the Orioles, though there’s a large group of college hitters who could make sense, as well, including AJ Gracia, Chris Hacopian, Derek Curiel, Justin Lebron, Tyler Bell and Ryder Helfrick. 

8. Athletics — Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky

• Bonus Pool: $13,840,300
• Slot Value: $6,982,600

I’d expect the same group of college hitters that were just mentioned for the Orioles to be in play here for the Athletics, but I also feel like there could still be some organizational desire for a pitcher. Cameron Flukey and Liam Peterson seem like the most likely college options at this spot. I don’t hear the same about the top high school pitcher, Gio Rojas, who could fit on either side of this pick with the Royals or Braves. Bell had a lot of late helium at the end of the college season, but how teams view his medical situation could complicate things. His profile is a safe and reliable one, and he also had some impressive combine interviews. 

9. Braves — Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS, Parkland, Fla.

• Bonus Pool: $15,870,800
• Slot Value: $6,675,300

This is the first time we’ve mocked Rojas to the Braves, but that’s mostly because we’ve tended to have him going off the board earlier to the Royals. With more whispers of a college player at that pick, Rojas’ earliest exit point might be No. 9 to Atlanta—a team that is never shy with high school pitchers. This one is starting to feel like Rojas or a college hitter like Drew Burress, Tyler Bell, Ryder Helfrick, Justin Lebron, Chris Hacopian or AJ Gracia potentially. 

10. Rockies — Derek Curiel, OF, LSU

• Bonus Pool: $15,557,600
• Slot Value: $6,393,100

Lately, I’ve heard college, college and more college with the Rockies. That seems like it would indicate one of the bats in that big group mentioned above, but Curiel is a player who I’ve heard them linked to recently. It’s hard to rule out Ryder Helfrick for this pick, and Colorado could be one of the teams considering Cameron Flukey, too. As far as high school names go, Jared Grindlinger is the one name I’ve heard mentioned with the Rockies in recent days. 

11. Nationals — Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State

• Bonus Pool: $12,278,300
• Slot Value: $6,133,500

I’ll move off our previous Grindlinger selection here for the Nationals and give them one of the most imposing hit/power combos in the class in Ace Reese. Washington is one of a number of teams I’ve heard tied more to college hitters in recent days. Again, perhaps the industry is starting to make its peace with the traditionally coveted demographic even though many players in this year’s four-year hitter group come with obvious flaws. 

12. Angels — Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina

• Bonus Pool: $11,755,400
• Slot Value: $5,889,300

How will the front office shakeup change how the Angels approach the draft and this pick? That’s what everyone in the industry is talking about this week. Perry Minasian has led the Angels since the 2020-21 offseason. In that stretch, they have exclusively drafted college players in the first round and then pushed those players aggressively to the majors. That hasn’t helped rebuild the major league team. It’s also a strategy that seems to have been as much an ownership mandate as a Minasian-specific tendency. Even before Minasian’s firing, I had heard the Angels connected to more high school players than the last few years—I’d expect his firing could signal a shift in mindset for how the team will approach this pick. 

I’ve heard the Angels connected to hitters and pitchers, high schoolers and college players, with Cameron Flukey getting some buzz recently. Other college arms like Liam Peterson or Hunter Dietz could make sense, and I still wouldn’t rule out Gio Rojas on the high school side if he gets here. If any of the college hitters in front of this pick get here, they could make sense, as could Ryder Helfrick, AJ Gracia or Justin Lebron. 

13. Cardinals — Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas

• Bonus Pool: $16,612,300
• Slot Value: $5,661,300

I’ve heard nothing but bats for the Cardinals in recent days. I think that could be college or high school. Trevor Condon and Jared Grindlinger are probably the best-available high school hitters here, and they could both be in play, but I’m now leaning more college for St. Louis, as well. Add them to the list, with perhaps Derek Curiel, Tyler Bell, Ryder Helfrick, Ace Reese or AJ Gracia being targets. I remain torn on whether or not the Cardinals would take a shot on Justin Lebron. I’d lean no, but I certainly hear his name mentioned here.

14. Marlins — Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M

• Bonus Pool: $11,960,100
• Slot Value: $5,444,900

Like with the Cardinals, it’s sounding like all hitters for the Marlins with this pick. Hacopian’s contact skills and impact warrant a top 10 overall selection, but I wonder if his athleticism and more inconsistent defensive play make him slide a bit further on draft day. I could also see them interested in Derek Curiel, Ace Reese, Tyler Bell or Ryder Helfrick, if any of them are available. 

At this point, I’d be a bit surprised if the Cardinals and Marlins had the chance to draft Curiel and both passed. If either team wants that sort of profile, they might also be interested in the high school equivalent with more speed: Georgia center fielder Trevor Condon. If they want to take a college outfielder, would they prefer AJ Gracia’s plate discipline and contact skills over Sawyer Strosnider’s superior athleticism and raw power? I’m not sure, but most people I talk to expect Gracia’s name to be called first. 

15. Diamondbacks — AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia

• Bonus Pool: $13,603,100
• Slot Value: $5,241,000

Speaking of Gracia, his name is starting to pick up a bit more steam, so he could be rising with the “college hitters move up” wave that might be happening. His hitting track record is immaculate, even though teams still have some questions about his arm and defensive profile. I’ve heard Sawyer Strosnider’s name mentioned with the D-backs, but he has been a difficult player for me to pin down. His range feels like it’s getting wider and wider. 

If Gio Rojas doesn’t go to the Royals or Braves, this might be his next realistic landing spot. Hitters like Jared Grindlinger, Trevor Condon and Justin Lebron could make sense, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they wanted a power arm like Liam Peterson. They’ve done work on high school pitchers, but I think that’s more likely for their next pick at No. 31 than this one. 

16. Rangers — Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida

• Bonus Pool: $10,219,200
• Slot Value: $5,051,900

If Brody Bumila still finds his way into the first round, this could be around the starting point of his market. This is also one of the other potential landing spots I’m hearing for Gio Rojas. On the college side, both Peterson and Sawyer Strosnider are names I hear consistently with the Rangers. It’s interesting that Texas is tied to so many high-risk, high-reward profiles with this pick. 

17. Astros — Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama

• Bonus Pool: $13,712,700
• Slot Value: $4,868,600

Lebron remains a polarizing player who’s hard to pin down thanks to loud tools but rocky performance. If he does get to this range, I think Houston would be one of the teams interested in swinging big on his upside. Lebron has real landing spots inside the top 10 picks, and it seems like basically every team from 5-10 is really considering him. 

On the other hand, other sources think he could slide into the 20s. Still, I feel better about his odds to come off the board in the teens today than I did a few weeks ago. There’s a strong chance Bo Lowrance goes in between the Astros’ first two picks, so if they like him (and they might), I wonder if they just take him here if their top target doesn’t make it to them. 

18. Reds — Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah HS, Woodstock, Ga.

• Bonus Pool: $10,758,500
• Slot Value: $4,695,500

Condon’s market starts to heat up a few picks in front of this spot. He shouldn’t last too much longer if the Reds choose to not take him. This could be another potential landing spot for big-tools athletes like Justin Lebron or Sawyer Strosnider, and I’ve heard Cincinnati linked to a ton of the best lefthanders in the class, as well, both high school and college.

I haven’t heard Mason Edwards specifically tied to Cincinnati, but he seems to be moving up boards. I’ve heard some Andrew Abbott comps with Edwards in recent days, and if the Reds share that view, the pick could make a ton of sense. 

19. Guardians — Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU

• Bonus Pool: $9,303,700
• Slot Value: $4,530,500

I do think Strosnider is slipping a bit, and there’s a real chance he makes it all the way into the 20s. Unlike other college hitters who hit under .300 this spring—Ryder Helfrick and Justin Lebron—Strosnider doesn’t play on the dirt, and that could make all the difference. But he could still be in play here for Cleveland because the tools are so loud. 

20. Red Sox — Jared Grindlinger, LHP/OF, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS

• Bonus Pool: $8,219,200
• Slot Value: $4,373,900

Several weeks ago, I didn’t expect Grindlinger to be available here for the Red Sox pick, but with so many college hitters seemingly moving up boards or just maintaining their presence at the top of the draft, it now feels a bit more likely that he has a chance to get here. Trevor Condon could also make sense, as could Derek Curiel if he gets here or either Bo Lowrance or Taj Marchand. 

21. Padres — Bo Lowrance, 3B, Christ Church Episcopal HS, Greenville, S.C.

• Bonus Pool: $9,479,000
• Slot Value: $4,224,700

Lowrance has tons of potential landing spots in this area of the board, and the Padres are as high school heavy as anyone. They’ve been connected to Brody Bumila for weeks and weeks, but I’m not sure if his softer finish to the season makes him a less likely candidate to go here or not. Jared Grindlinger has so many landing spots in front of them that I wonder if he makes it here, but if he does, I think San Diego could have some interest. 

22. Tigers — Aiden Ruiz, SS, The Stony Brook School (N.Y.)

• Bonus Pool: $9,165,100
• Slot Value: $4,082,700

Detroit gets linked to high school hitters more than any other team. Any of the top prep hitters could make sense here, including Ruiz, Bo Lowrance, Trevor Condon, Jared Grindlinger, Cole Prosek, Connor Comeau, Landon Thome or Tyler Spangler. Ruiz is more commonly linked to the Tigers than with any other team, so he remains the pick. He’s maybe the best defensive shortstop in the class. 

23. Cubs — Mason Edwards, LHP, Southern California

• Bonus Pool: $9,644,100
• Slot Value: $3,947,600

I’ve heard a lot of college pitching connections with the Cubs, and Mason Edwards in particular seems to have a lot of helium as teams spend more time breaking down his excellent performance this season. A college lefty with real secondaries who led the country in strikeouts should go in a pretty decent spot, and there’s a chance he doesn’t make it to the 20s. I wouldn’t be shocked if they took a prep arm or perhaps a high school hitter like Bo Lowrance or Cole Prosek. 

24. Mariners — Taylor Rabe, RHP, Ole Miss

• Bonus Pool: $8,218,200
• Slot Value: $3,818,700

Rabe was one of the big draft prospect winners of the College World Series. He finished the season with a 3.55 ERA in 11 starts and 76 innings with a 34.2% strikeout rate and 4.9% walk rate. Like the Cubs, the Mariners are connected to plenty of college arms. If they made it here, names like Tegan Kuhns or Cameron Flukey and Liam Peterson could make sense. Bats like Zion Rose, Taj Marchand and Bo Lowrance could fit, too. This also feels like a hard floor for Trevor Condon, but he has so many realistic landing spots in front of this pick that I’d be surprised if he even got here. 

25. Brewers — Cole Prosek, SS/C, Magnolia Heights HS, Senatobia, Miss.

• Bonus Pool: $8,042,900
• Slot Value: $3,696,000

I’m sticking with Prosek for the Brewers because I don’t have any of the top-tier college bats sliding to this pick. That said, I continue to wonder whether or not Milwaukee could be something of a floor for high-upside names like Justin Lebron or Sawyer Strosnider.

26. Braves — Cade Townsend, RHP, Ole Miss

• Bonus Pool: $15,870,800
• Slot Value: $3,578,800

Townsend seems to fit in the same tier of arms as Tegan Kuhns, Taylor Rabe and Mason Edwards. Once the top trio of college pitchers are off the board, they form the core group of names teams will be considering if they want a college arm. This would be a pitcher-heavy draft for the Braves a year after they seemingly pivoted to bats, but a number of offensive breakouts on the farm might justify it if the team just loves the pitchers who make it to them. 

27. Mets — Aiden Robbins, OF, Texas

• Bonus Pool: $6,730,900
• Slot Value: $3,466,500

Robbins is coming off a strong season with Texas and boasts a well-rounded toolset and offensive game. And while there are some questions about whether he’s a better fit in center or a corner, the Mets sound like one of his biggest suitors at the moment. If Bo Lowrance gets here, he might be a fit, as well. 

28. Astros — Zion Rose, OF, Louisville

• Bonus Pool: $13,712,700
• Slot Value: $3,363,600

Rose could go higher than this, both because of the college hitting momentum I’ve mentioned and because he has both contact skills and loud physical tools. Many of the other college hitters in front of him are lefthanded hitters, which could be a deciding factor on the margins. I’ve heard Rose linked to the Astros, and he would fit on talent at either of their first two picks, in my opinion. 

29. Giants — Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee

• Bonus Pool: $17,350,600
• Slot Value: $3,270,200

I get the sense that Kuhns is in play with a vast number of teams in the second half of the first round. It’s difficult to pinpoint where a player like this actually goes, because much of it will depend on whether or not a team’s first or second option even makes it to them to begin with. 

30. Royals — Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha HS, Pomona, Calif. 

• Bonus Pool: $15,954,000
• Slot Value: $3,190,500

If the Royals do go with a college bat with their first pick, would that make it more or less likely for them to grab one of the high school pitchers here at the second pick? Schmidt would be an excellent pick on talent, as he could go 10 spots higher than this pretty easily. Other prep arms like Coleman Borthwick, Jensen Hirschkorn and Carson Bolemon could make sense, as could Mason Edwards if he makes it here or Caden Sorrell.

31. Diamondbacks — Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS, Simpsonville, S.C.

• Bonus Pool: $13,603,100
• Slot Value: $3,118,300

I get the sense that Bolemon’s name is picking up some steam. I’ve heard him connected more to teams throughout the 20s and in the early comp range in recent conversations than I did about a month ago. Even with a down spring, his combination of quality secondaries and feel to pitch could be seen as a separator. Both he and Logan Schmidt have been linked to Arizona for this pick, in particular.

32. Cardinals — Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas

• Bonus Pool: $16,612,300
• Slot Value: $3,044,600

If the Cardinals do wind up securing a hitter with their first pick, would they have any interest in adding an arm here? There should be a number of impactful options available from the high school and college ranks here, including Dietz, who has an exciting combination of size, power, spin and strikes. This could also be a Taj Marchand landing spot. 

33. Rays — Taj Marchand, SS, James Island HS, Charleston, S.C.

• Bonus Pool: $19,009,300
• Slot Value: $2,970,200

Speaking of Marchand, he hammered the baseball at the draft combine, which only emphasizes the sort of power and impact he can bring to the table from the right side of the plate. The Rays have been all over him all spring. 

34. Pirates — Landon Thome, SS, Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, Ill. 

• Bonus Pool: $19,130,700
• Slot Value: $2,897,400

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pirates wind up trading this pick before the draft. If they don’t, perhaps the pure-hitting chops of Thome would make a good fit here. I could also see them doubling down on pitching and targeting one of the many high-upside high school pitchers still available.

35. Yankees — Brody Bumila, LHP, Bishop Feehan HS, Attleboro, Mass.

• Bonus Pool: $7,342,800
• Slot Value: $2,826,700

Bumila’s market might start much higher than this, and seeing a team taking him in the late teens or 20s still wouldn’t be a surprise. The Yankees remain one of the hottest links I have for him. 

36. Phillies — Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M

• Bonus Pool: $7,773,000
• Slot Value: $2,758,800

Sorrell has better physical tools and athleticism than a handful of the hitters who are likely to go in front of him. His 23.9% career strikeout rate means he is probably going in the back of the first round or shortly after it, and the Phillies sound like one of the teams who could take a shot on his power/speed combo and center field profile. 

37. Rockies — Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia

• Bonus Pool: $15,557,600
• Slot Value: $2,696,700

I don’t have a great read on which players the Rockies want at these two picks, but they could stick with a college-heavy approach here, as well. If the board plays out like this, Jackson could simply be great value that’s hard to pass up either way. He has a unique power/speed combo for a catcher. 

38. Rockies — Jarren Advincula, 2B, Georgia Tech

• Bonus Pool: $15,557,600
• Slot Value: $2,633,100

Similar to the previous pick for the Rockies, this is as much a best-value selection as anything. Advincula probably has the best hit tool on the board at this stage, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him sneak up higher than this—potentially inside the first 30 picks. 

39. Blue Jays — Archer Horn, SS/RHP, St. Ignatius College Prep, San Francisco

• Bonus Pool: $5,543,100
• Slot Value: $2,571,700

Projecting a Stanford commit in a mock draft seems dicey most years, but Horn is getting a lot of traction leading up to the draft. He could wind up going in this range, though I am not sure about the Blue Jays specifically. He has real upside on both sides of the ball and tons of athleticism. 

40. Dodgers — James Clark, SS, St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, Calif.

• Bonus Pool: $3,951,900
• Slot Value: $2,504,200

Most of the players I hear connected to the Dodgers—Bo Lowrance, Aiden Ruiz, Cole Prosek, Caden Sorrell—are already off the board. Ruiz might be the most likely of that trio to make it to this spot, because I don’t hear as many landing spots for him compared to Lowrance/Prosek. Two other potential fits are pure-hitting lefthanders who play shortstop now but could slide from the position: Clark on the high school side and Eric Becker on the college side.