​The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft is slated for July 11-12, and several players with strong Texas connections are poised to hear their names called. Here’s a look at ten Texas-linked talents who could hear their names called during the draft. At the top of the list is Texas’ No. 1 prospect, who Baseball America projects as a top-five overall pick for the Tampa Bay Rays. Baseball America also considers him a potential first-round pick. Rojas, a 6-foot-1 right-handed pitcher, dazzled with 120 strikeouts in his senior year.
Grady Emerson has been named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, while another standout is the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Strosnider, who participated in the MLB Combine and is viewed as a possible first-round choice. In the 2026 season, this player hit 18 homers and drew 50 walks for the Red Raiders. Logan Hughes of Texas Tech was seen sprinting to first base after an at-bat against Abilene Christian in a non-conference matchup at Rip Griffin Park on March 31, 2026.
A University of Texas commit with a powerful fastball and strong strike-throwing ability is another name to watch. The 6-foot-1 pitcher, Rangel, is known for his hard, mid-90s velocity. There is also a talented two-way player who doubles as a strong athlete in the outfield and is adept at throwing and fielding, contributing significant value on both sides of the ball.
This draft class includes a standout contributor who helped Aledo capture the Class 5A, Division 1 state title, showcasing athleticism and versatility. Another Texas Tech-bound prospect, an infielder with a strong arm and infield experience, is garnering attention. Gonzalez, who bats right and throws right, has been named El Paso’s All-City MVP. He can play shortstop or third base and posted 13 home runs with 54 RBIs. He helped lead the Trailblazers to the Class 5A, Division 1 regional finals. If he does not proceed to the professional ranks, he has signed to play at Texas Tech University.
Drew Gonzalez, named El Paso’s Boys All-City Baseball Player of the Year, represented Americas in a candid portrait session on June 11, 2026, at the Don Haskins Recreation Center in West El Paso, Texas. The Major League Draft for 2026 is scheduled for July 11-12 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rounds 1-4 will take place on Saturday, July 11, with rounds 5-20 following on Sunday, July 12.
Coverage for the draft will be provided by MLB Network and MLB.com. For further information, Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com, and on X at @Fchavezptimes. This preview originally appeared in the El Paso Times, highlighting 10 Texas baseball stars to watch in the 2026 MLB Draft for improved search engine optimization. The compilation emphasizes players with Texas ties who could be selected across the draft’s two-day format, including first-round possibilities and impact potential across multiple programs.