​Day two of the 2026 MLB Draft is in the books, and five more Rebels now face a pivotal choice: sign with the clubs that drafted them or return to Ole Miss to try to improve their position in next year’s draft. Notably, Judd Utermark, Will Furniss, and Tristan Bissetta were not selected in the 20-round event. It was also announced that Hunter Elliott plans to return to Oxford and withdraw from the draft.
The day started with Wil Libbert, who went off the board in the fifth round (144th overall) to the Atlanta Braves. Libbert’s decision will be interesting to watch, as he could emerge as a weekend rotation option for Ole Miss or begin his pro career with a $500,000 signing bonus. His choice could shape the Rebels’ rotation for years to come.
The New York Mets added another Rebel pitcher, selecting Landon Koenig in the eighth round, 240th overall. Koenig gives Ole Miss another solid arm in the organization, and his fate will likely hinge on whether he pursues a pro career now or opts to refine his game in college for another season.
Landon Waters, a bullpen asset for Ole Miss, was taken in the 17th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. With a strong showing in Oxford, Waters may be inclined to return to campus and continue building his role in the Rebels’ bullpen as he weighs his professional options.
In another strategic move, the Atlanta Braves doubled up by selecting Austin Fawley in the 19th round. With Drake Baldwin entrenched as the Braves’ catcher for the foreseeable future, Fawley would face a challenging but potentially rewarding path to the majors. Returning to Ole Miss could provide him with a more consistent year at the plate and a clearer route to a future audition with pro teams.
Completing Ole Miss’s draft docket is JP Robertson, picked by the San Francisco Giants with the 598th overall pick (out of 613 selections). Robertson’s future with the Giants could hinge on the same decision: sign now or return to college and re-enter next year’s draft pool.
If any of these three big-bat players—Utermark, Furniss, or Bissetta—end up signing free-agent deals with minor league teams, this page will have you covered with the latest updates. We’ll monitor signings, guarantees, and how these choices impact Ole Miss’s lineup and recruiting momentum, all with a focus on helping you stay informed for betterSEO visibility and ongoing coverage.