​Although the Los Angeles Dodgers did not secure an early first-round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the franchise clearly aimed to safeguard a long-term solution at one of its core positions. On Saturday, the Dodgers used their selection at No. 40 to take shortstop Bo Lowrance from Christ Church Episcopal High School in South Carolina. Lowrance stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 200 pounds, carrying a $2.50 million signing value. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed, a combination that could eventually slot him into the Dodgers’ lineup further down the road.
MLB.com provided a detailed prospect report on Lowrance. While he’s listed as a shortstop among draft selections, his profile also notes third-base versatility. The report highlighted Lowrance’s hitting ability as generating significant buzz this spring, suggesting he could have gone in the first round. It compared his offensive profile and secondary tools favorably to P.J. Morlando, a South Carolina prep product who was a first-round pick by the Marlins two years earlier. The scouting notes described Lowrance as Virginia’s top recruit in the class, yet unlikely to matriculate to Charlottesville, given his momentum.
Lowrance is praised for a smooth left-handed swing and a track record of producing against strong competition on the showcase circuit. The report emphasized that he doesn’t overextend at the plate and makes reliable contact to all fields, even with a naturally long lever from his 6-foot-5 frame, drawing comparisons to Freddie Freeman. However, it cautioned that Lowrance does not yet lift or pull many pitches, indicating he will need to add strength and adjust to realize his potential for 25 homers. Defensively, while he moves well for his size, his raw speed and quickness will likely determine a transition to third base at the major league level.
Dodgers lore includes a storied history of outstanding shortstops dating back to Bill Russell, and the organization’s past success at third base also resonates with fans recalling players like “The Penguin,” Ron Cey. Amid these associations, Dodgers amateur scouting director Zach Fitzpatrick weighed in on Lowrance’s selection. On a Zoom briefing with the media Saturday, Fitzpatrick expressed enthusiasm about the choice, noting that Lowrance is someone the club is happy to model its approach after. He referenced Freddie Freeman as a comparison point, stating, “We didn’t have any Freddie Freeman comps necessarily as we went and scouted him. … But we do think Bo can hit, and we like his swing and starting point and foundation from that standpoint. So if he’s anywhere close to Freddie, that would be a great outcome for us.”
Lowrance’s immediate path will be to navigate the Dodgers’ minor leagues as he works toward an eventual major league debut. For fans, the long-term upside is tempered with the practical reality that this is a player who will need time to develop within the Dodgers’ system. If he flourishes as anticipated and his development aligns with the club’s plan, Lowrance could become a cornerstone at a premium position down the road, providing depth and potential across the infield. As with all first-round picks, the true impact will unfold over several seasons, and Dodgers supporters will be watching closely to see how this early organizational bet pays off.