​The 2026 MLB Draft kicks off on July 11, with a number of Oregon State Beavers and several Salem-area high school players looking to hear their names called. This 20-round event will be staged in Philadelphia in coordination with MLB All-Star Week. NBC and Peacock will televise rounds one through four on July 11, while the remaining rounds will be streamed on MLB.com on July 12.
More than 600 players are expected to be selected across the draft. Mock drafts and rankings from multiple outlets forecast that athletes connected to Oregon State, as well as players committed to Oregon State, will be among those drafted. A few high school talents from central Salem could also be in the mix for professional teams.
South Salem High School has long been recognized as one of Oregon’s top baseball programs, consistently producing Division I talent and notable pro prospects. The program’s recent track record includes players like Ryan Brown, who was drafted in 2023, and a cadre of emerging talents over the past several years. The latest wave includes recent graduates Teagan Scott and Sawyer Nelson, who have already begun turning heads on the national stage.
Scott, a catcher who has committed to Oregon State, earned Oregon’s Gatorade Player of the Year this spring after hitting .568 with 11 home runs—the most in the state—along with 35 RBIs. He’s been a stalwart behind the plate, contributing to South Salem’s status as one of the state’s most successful programs over the previous four years. After participating in the MLB Draft Combine in June, Scott has begun to surface on draft boards. ESPN currently lists him as the No. 202 prospect, and the publication places him in the “likely to go to college” category, though he could sign with an MLB team if drafted. In MLB’s own prospect rankings, Scott sits at No. 183, noted for his speed, power, and strong arm. He acknowledged that the combine revealed several areas for improvement and expressed enthusiasm about advancing his development, with the final decision about where that path leads dependent on many factors.
Scott said, “It’s definitely a pretty hectic process. I’ve talked to a lot of pro teams, and I talk to the Oregon State coaches almost every day. My whole thing is I’m going to go where my heart is and what I think is best.” He added that his long-time affection for Oregon State keeps him in a thoughtful, uncertain holding pattern as draft day approaches.
Nelson, a dynamic infielder with a sharp eye at the plate and a talent for stealing bases, has also drawn attention from professional scouts. The Loyola Marymount commitment launched a breakout spring with nine home runs—second-best in the state behind only his teammate—and tied for the state lead with 37 stolen bases. This summer, Nelson has been with the Marion Berries of the West Coast League, earning league All-Star honors and breaking the league’s single-season walk record with more than 20 games still on the schedule.
As the summer unfolds, Nelson’s performance with the West Coast League squad continues to amplify his profile as a potential MLB draft pick, while his speed and on-base skills keep him squarely in the conversation for professional opportunities if the draft provisions align with team interest and his own ambitions.
In sum, the 2026 draft year remains a compelling focal point for Oregon State and Salem-area baseball fans, with several local talents poised to make significant impressions on draft boards and, potentially, in the majors.