​Selden Kolkebeck capped a flawless senior season with a storybook ending on Sunday, as his success found a national stage in the 2026 MLB Draft. A month after finishing 12-0 and helping Old Tappan win the NJSIAA Group 3 state championship, the Harrington Park native was picked by the Texas Rangers in the 19th round, 14th pick of the round and No. 567 overall. The right-handed pitcher, who has committed to Columbia University, became the third New Jersey high school player selected in this year’s draft, joining St. Augustine’s Alex Weingartner, who went to the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round (No. 166 overall), and Cranford’s Brayden Fry, who was chosen by the Baltimore Orioles in the 16th round. Kolkebeck also marked a milestone as the second Old Tappan player drafted during the weekend, following Alex Kranzler, a Vanderbilt junior and fellow Knights alumnus, who went to the Boston Red Sox in the 17th round.
Kolkebeck’s selection adds to a broader pattern, as he becomes the fourth area high school player drafted in the past four years. The others in that span are Nicky Becker (2025 – Seattle), Nazier Mule (2022 – Cubs), and Caden Dana (2022 – Angels). The draft caps a remarkable year for Kolkebeck, whose undefeated season propelled Old Tappan to a state championship and positioned him on the path to professional baseball after one of the program’s most storied campaigns.
In North Jersey, his success stands out among a cluster of notable pitching prospects. Kolkebeck was nearly untouchable on the mound, finishing with a perfect 12-0 record and fanning 126 batters across 78 innings. He posted a stellar 0.72 ERA, issued just 15 walks, threw five shutouts, and completed nine games, guiding Old Tappan to its first state title since 2008 and only the second in program history. The pitcher repeatedly reached double-digit strikeouts in 10 of his outings, overpowering opposing lineups throughout the season.
Beyond his on-field dominance, Kolkebeck’s performance drew attention from MLB scouts for his composure and ability to perform under pressure. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 215 pounds, he displays poise, command, and maturity far beyond his years. His repertoire is well-rounded: a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, breaking balls in the upper-70s to low-80s with sharp late movement, and a changeup that keeps hitters off balance. This combination of physical tools and pitch-tability has distinguished him as a premier pitching prospect in the region.
Overall, Kolkebeck’s draft position reflects both his contributions to Old Tappan’s triumph and his ongoing development as a top-tier right-handed pitcher with professional potential. The draft tally for New Jersey this year included 16 players, with four connections to Bergen County programs. Notably, Don Bosco Prep’s Eric Becker was the highest-drafted Bergen County player, going in the second round to the Cincinnati Reds, while Mahwah’s Aidan Teel earned selection by the Minnesota Twins in the 11th round. The 2026 class reinforces New Jersey’s standing as a fertile ground for high-level pitching talent and a steady pipeline into professional baseball.