​The 2026 MLB Draft is finally upon us, with the first 10 selections set to be broadcast live on NBC this Saturday, July 11, starting at 1 p.m. ET. This year’s class is widely regarded as solid at the top but not exceptionally deep, particularly when it comes to pitching from both the collegiate and high school levels. Yet talent remains abundant throughout the field, and while baseball tends to be the sport with more volatility, this draft year is expected to produce several future MLB stars in the coming years.
Here’s a look at the top 50 prospects eligible for the 2026 MLB Draft. It’s important to note that this isn’t a mock draft. Because of signing rules, prep-player eligibility, and the natural variance in evaluators’ opinions, the actual draft order could diverge considerably from this list. At the pinnacle of the board sits Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop from UCLA, Grady Emerson, a shortstop from Fort Worth Christian High School in Texas, and Vahn Lackey, a catcher from Georgia Tech. The top tier this year has formed a prominent trio reminiscent of the NBA’s AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Cholowsky claims the top spot as a shortstop with the potential to hit for both average and power, while also delivering outstanding defense at a premium position. He could be MLB-ready as soon as next summer. Emerson, though not likely to reach the majors that quickly, may offer greater upside as a left-handed hitter who is graded at 70 on the 20-80 hit-tool scale. In some eyes, Emerson might even surpass Cholowsky in upside. Lackey, by contrast, is a completely different profile—a backstop with a standout slash line of .397/.519/.772 at Georgia Tech, plus substantial right-handed power. He projects as a catcher able to stay behind the plate, and he should be able to handle MLB-level duties with ease. Any of these three could go first overall, and while Cholowsky is the top name on the board, none of them would be considered a reach.
Another notable name in this first tier is Jacob Lombard, a shortstop from Gulliver Prep in Florida. Lombard is among the class’s best athletes, and as the brother of top Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr., he carries considerable upside as a right-handed hitter who could mash 30 homers and steal 50 bases. The hit is loud, but there is some concern about his future position. His arm isn’t strong enough to guarantee shortstop, which could push him to second base. If he does move, his bat would still play, though shortstop is the preferred destination.
Turning to college arms, Jackson Flora from UC Santa Barbara is another standout in this draft. Flora is a 6-foot-5 right-hander whose fastball can reach the high 90s with ease, complemented by an impressive slider and a quality changeup. He’s expected to throw enough strikes to remain a starter, and while he may not project as the next Paul Skenes, he has a plausible path to becoming a frontline starter who could reach the majors. He embodies strong upside and high-level starter attributes that will attract significant attention from evaluators and teams alike.