​The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft is scheduled for July 11-12, and three El Paso natives could hear their names called in the 20-round event. Here’s a look at the three players, along with a snapshot of some of El Paso’s top draft selections over the years.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 197 pounds, Gonzalez emerged as the 2026 El Paso Times’ All-City MVP after blasting 13 home runs and driving in 54 runs. He played a pivotal role as the Trailblazers advanced to the Class 5A, Division 1 regional finals. If pro baseball doesn’t come calling, Gonzalez has committed to Texas Tech University. He’s a versatile defender, able to handle shortstop or third base, and he even pitched for Americas at times. Right-handed on the mound and a left-handed batter at the plate, Gonzalez is a proven winner who helped Americas reach the regional semifinals as a junior and capture a District 2-5A title. He has private-workout experience with several major organizations, including the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. Photos capture El Paso Boys All-City Baseball Player of the Year Drew Gonzalez of Americas during a portrait session on June 11, 2026, at the Don Haskins Recreation Center in West El Paso.
Gonzalez isn’t the only El Paso talent drawing attention from scouts. Former Americas shortstop Darell Hernaiz became the last Americas High School player drafted in 2019 by the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth round. He has since progressed within the Oakland Athletics organization and built a solid college career at UT-Rio Grande Valley, where he has starred in the Southland Conference.
Raygoza, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound standout, stands out as UTRGV’s all-time RBI leader with 138 and has belted 17 homers in back-to-back seasons. His consistent performance earned him back-to-back Southland Conference Player of the Year honors. Raygoza’s success at UTRGV also earned him a spot in the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the nation’s premier collegiate summer leagues. The Cape Cod Baseball League, based in Massachusetts, is regarded as the leading summer league for college players. Since the league began in 1965, more than 1,750 CCBL alumni have gone on to play in Major League Baseball, including roughly 400 players each year. Armani Raygoza, a designated hitter for UT-Rio Grande Valley and an Americas alumnus, was named the Southland Conference’s Player of the Year.
Cardenas has a history of excelling at both the junior college and university levels. A star in college for El Paso Community College before transferring to Abilene Christian University, Cardenas earned All-American honors. His path began at Riverside High School, where he helped lead the Rangers to the Sweet 16 in Class 4A. Over two seasons at Abilene Christian, the 6-foot, 237-pound Cardenas hit 44 home runs, while as a sophomore at EPCC, he slugged 21 homers and drove in 69 runs.
Gonzalez’s draft hopes are buoyed by his ability to contribute on multiple fronts—defense, hitting for power, and the occasional pitcher’s work. He has demonstrated a persistent work ethic and a high baseball IQ, attributes that have drawn attention from major league clubs during private workouts. The possibility of having three El Paso natives heard by MLB teams in the 2026 draft underscores the region’s growing reputation for producing versatile, impact-ready players.
As the draft unfolds, these players—Gonzalez, Hernaiz, Raygoza, and Cardenas in earlier drafts and development—highlight El Paso’s ongoing contribution to the sport, showcasing the city’s ability to nurture talent from high school through college and into professional baseball. The excitement among El Paso fans is palpable as they await the outcomes of the 2026 MLB Draft and watch these homegrown players chase their dreams at the highest levels of the game.