​Thirteen years. That’s how long Dylan Blomker has had his sights set on this weekend, and he can hardly wait to see how it unfolds. The La Cueva High School graduate is stepping into the moment as the 2026 Major League Baseball draft begins on Saturday at 11 a.m. MDT, with broad expectations that his name will come up before the 20-round event concludes on Sunday.
From his agent’s guidance, Blomker knows it’s tough to predict what will happen. “There’s a decent chance, but you don’t know until it actually happens,” said the talented 6-foot-4, 210-pound right-handed pitcher, who has already put LSU on his radar by signing with the national powerhouse. LSU is an SEC program renowned for developing players for MLB service, a track record that includes Albuquerque Academy alumnus Alex Bregman and, more recently, Steven Milam, a 2023 Centennial High graduate who remains on LSU’s roster and has talked about returning for his senior year. As with so many players who have walked this path before him, Blomker’s fate hinges on which team drafts him and in which round.
Blomker has said he has worked out for three major league teams, though he would not disclose which ones. “I feel like I’m mature enough to turn pro,” he said. “If the team is right and the opportunity is right, I wouldn’t hesitate. … It’ll take a lot to bypass LSU.” Last season, Blomker went 8-1 for the Bears, with his only loss coming in the Class 5A quarterfinals against Carlsbad. He finished with a 1.95 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 53.2 innings. Perfect Game lists him as the No. 277 draft prospect, and the prevailing view is that he’ll be selected somewhere in the middle rounds.
Blomker has leaned on guidance from former Sandia High pitchers who have reached pro ball, Aiden May and Jacob Kmatz, as he contemplates his approach to the draft. “I’m trusting in the moment,” Blomker said. “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.” After years of imagining this moment, he’s trying to keep his emotions in check this week. “Last couple of days,” he said, “I’ve been trying to get my mind off it as much as possible. … I’ve been working toward Saturday for 13 years.”
Beyond Blomker, there are other New Mexico prospects from the Class of 2026 who could hear their names called. Cleveland’s versatile Anthony Del Angel, a 6-4, 195-pound player who can fill multiple positions, is another potential draftee. “We’ll see what happens,” Del Angel said, noting that he has signed with the University of Oklahoma and his current focus is on preparing for college. If he’s drafted, it could add another layer of excitement to a class with strong potential.