​OXFORD, Ala. (WIAT) — Oxford shortstop Rocco Maniscalco is poised to be among the youngest players selected in MLB Draft history as the event approaches. After reclassifying from the class of 2027 to 2026, Maniscalco will enter the draft at just 17 years and 2 months old, a testament to his rapid development and outstanding potential.
“I’ve been coaching a long time; he’s the most advanced young player I’ve ever seen,” Oxford head baseball coach Travis Janssen said. That assessment mirrors the consensus surrounding the Yellow Jackets’ standout shortstop. MLB.com currently lists Maniscalco as the No. 49 prospect in the 2026 Draft Class, a ranking that underscores his talent and the high expectations surrounding his future in professional baseball.
“Dedication, work ethic, and talent—he has a lot of God-given ability,” Janssen added. “But the remarkable thing about Rocco is how he has capitalized on it.” His partner in the infield, Arkansas State signee Marcus Lawler, has known Maniscalco since they were five years old and has watched him grow from a promising youth into a potential MLB standout. “It was kind of crazy to watch him start to separate himself; as we got older, the tools started to develop,” Lawler said. “But every time I start to think about the success, I just think about the guy who would spend the night at my house every night.”
At only 17, Maniscalco’s trajectory is already shaping the next generation of players in Oxford. Janssen reflected on the broader impact of his young teammate’s emergence: “It’s a neat thing for the future of kids from Oxford because you see remarkable things like this. It makes it a lot easier for kids to dream that this could happen.” The story of Maniscalco’s rise serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the region, illustrating how dedication, mentorship, and opportunity can converge to propel a local talent onto the national stage.
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