​Day two of the MLB Draft is underway, with the Arizona Diamondbacks selecting players from the fifth round through the 20th round, the final round of the draft. The club opened Sunday’s draft by choosing right-handed pitcher LJ Mercurius from the University of Oklahoma with their fifth-round pick, 148th overall. Mercurius began the season as a starter for the Sooners and displayed solid form early on, though he eventually transitioned to a bullpen role where he contributed to Oklahoma’s run to the College World Series title.
Mercurius is a mid-90s fastball pitcher who mainly relies on a fastball and a changeup, with an occasional slider in his mix. Scouting reports suggest his best path in professional baseball could be as a middle reliever, thanks to his mix and velocity. In 2026 with Oklahoma, Mercurius appeared in 22 games, including 12 starts, posting a 7-7 record with a 4.43 ERA. He logged 103 strikeouts against 27 walks in 83 1/3 innings pitched.
Following Mercurius, the Diamondbacks continued to shape their pitching staff by selecting left-handed pitcher Micah Worley from SUNY-Stony Brook in the sixth round, right-handed pitcher Carson Turnquist out of Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo, California) in the seventh round, and left-handed hitting outfielder Paul Schoenfeld from West Virginia in the eighth round, the 236th overall pick, as the draft moved along on Sunday. The team’s selections through these rounds underscore a focus on building depth among pitchers while also adding position-player versatility.
As the draft progresses, more updates are expected and fans are encouraged to stay tuned for continued coverage and analysis of Arizona’s Day 2 selections. This recap reflects the Diamondbacks’ emphasis on pitching depth on Day 2, with a clear intent to bolster their bullpen and starting rotation prospects for the near and longer term. This overview originally appeared in reporting from the Arizona Republic, highlighting Day 2’s emphasis on pitchers as the team maneuvers through rounds five through 20.