The 2026 MLB Draft is set to take place on July 11, with the White Sox holding the No. 1 pick. This is the third time in franchise history that the White Sox will have the top selection, and they are expected to select UCLA star SS Roch Cholowsky. However, there are rumors that they might opt for Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson instead, as the talent gap between the two is very small, and the decision could come down to the signing bonus.
The Rays, holding the No. 2 pick, are predicted to take the best, most talented player available, which is likely to be Emerson. The Twins, with the No. 3 pick, are expected to take Cholowsky or Emerson, but it's uncertain which one will be available by then. The Giants, holding the No. 4 pick, are rumored to be interested in Cholowsky, but their decision will depend on the top three picks.
The Pirates, holding the No. 5 pick, are expected to take a quick-moving college player like UC Santa Barbara righty Jackson Flora or Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress. The Royals, with the No. 6 pick, are predicted to take Flora, who is considered the draft's best pitching prospect.
The Orioles, holding the No. 7 pick, are expected to take Burress, who has a strong profile that aligns with what the O's have had success developing in the Elias era. The Athletics, with the No. 8 pick, are rumored to be interested in Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, who has a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder and may need surgery.
The Braves, holding the No. 9 pick, are expected to take a high school player like Stoneman Douglas HS (FL) LHP Gio Rojas, who has high-end analytical pitch data and is a premium on-mound athlete.
The Rockies, holding the No. 10 pick, are predicted to take a college hitter like LSU OF Derek Curiel, who has good center field defense and some power waiting to be unlocked.
The Nationals, holding the No. 11 pick, are rumored to be interested in college hitters like Virginia OF AJ Gracia, who has high-end bat-to-ball ability and some pop.
The Angels, holding the No. 12 pick, are expected to take a quick-moving college player like Coastal Carolina RHP Cameron Flukey, who has a premium fastball/curveball combination.
The Cardinals, holding the No. 13 pick, are predicted to take a power-hitting third baseman like Mississippi State 3B Ace Reese, who has arguably the most raw power in the draft class.
The Marlins, holding the No. 14 pick, are expected to take a catcher like Arkansas C Ryder Helfrick, who has good defensive chops and athleticism.
The Diamondbacks, holding the No. 15 pick, are predicted to take a smaller player with great bat-to-ball skills and power upside like Etowah HS (GA) OF Trevor Condon.
The Rangers, holding the No. 16 pick, are expected to take a famous prospect like Alabama SS Justin Lebron, who has some of the loudest tools in the draft class.
The Astros, holding the No. 17 pick, are predicted to take a college player who could get to Houston quickly like Texas A&M 2B Chris Hacopian.
The Reds, holding the No. 18 pick, are expected to take a two-way player like Huntington Beach HS (CA) OF/LHP Jared Grindlinger, who has a small chance to do both at the next level.
The Guardians, holding the No. 19 pick, are expected to take a young player with power like James Island HS (SC) SS Taj Marchand.
The Red Sox, holding the No. 20 pick, are predicted to take a third baseman like Christ Church Episcopal School (SC) 3B Bo Lowrance, who has a strong profile that aligns with what the Red Sox have had success developing.
The Padres, holding the No. 21 pick, are expected to take a high school player like St. Ignatius Prep (CA) SS Archer Horn, who has one of the strongest infield arms in the draft class.
The Tigers, holding the No. 22 pick, are predicted to take a high school hitter like De La Salle HS (CA) SS Tyler Spangler, who has high-end offensive upside.
The Cubs, holding the No. 23 pick, are expected to take a risky pick like UCLA RHP Logan Reddemann, who has 'arm fatigue' and was shut down in mid-April.
The Mariners, holding the No. 24 pick, are predicted to take a college pitcher like Florida RHP Liam Peterson, who has a good fastball and good feel for spinning the ball.
The Brewers, holding the No. 25 pick, are expected to take a versatile player like Magnolia Heights HS (MS) IF/C Cole Prosek, who has good feel for centering the ball and a knack for grinding out at-bats.
The Blue Jays, Dodgers, Mets, Phillies, and Yankees each had their first-round pick moved back 10 spots due to CBT penalties.
