​The 2026 MLB Draft is imminent, and excitement is building as we approach the moment when the fates of several rising stars will be revealed. Among the names to watch are UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson, and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, all of whom have the potential to redefine their franchises. The Chicago White Sox enter the proceedings with the first overall pick, buoyed by a resurgent season that has them perched at the top of the draft board. Mike Shirley, the team’s vice president of amateur scouting, told ESPN that the top slot has narrowed to three frontrunners: Cholowsky, Emerson, and Lackey. Each prospect carries franchise-changing upside, which leaves Chicago with a high-stakes decision that could shape the organization for years to come.
Beyond Chicago, the top five is shaping up to feature the Tampa Bay Rays at No. 2 and the Minnesota Twins at No. 3, with the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates slated to pick fourth and fifth, respectively. As we look ahead to the first day of the draft, here’s how to follow along and catch the action as the first four rounds unfold.
Day 1 coverage is structured to roll out in stages. The broadcast begins at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time with the first 10 selections. The second batch of picks, covering selections 11 through 40, gets underway at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. To bring Day 1 to a close and cover the entire stretch through the end of the fourth round, selections 41 through 135 will start at 4:30 p.m. Eastern and run through approximately 7:45 p.m.
Television and streaming details for Day 1: NBC and Peacock will carry the first 10 picks. MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, and MLB+. The latter three outlets will continue with coverage for picks 11 through 40, while the MLB Network will join in coverage for other segments as noted. It’s worth noting that, with the exception of MLB Network, the three remaining MLB digital and streaming properties will feature picks 41 through 135.
This overview reflects the media plan and top prospects around the 2026 draft, and it’s sourced from coverage surrounding the event. If you’re planning to follow along, be ready to tune in at the appointed times to see which players will hear their names called first and how the top teams align their long-term rosters for the next era of baseball.