​The 2026 MLB draft concluded on Sunday, marking a major win for the LSU Tigers as they prepare to add more talent to their roster than many pundits anticipated. Two of the country’s top high school stars were selected in the 18th round, and both have already announced plans to head to Baton Rouge rather than sign with their new professional clubs: Malachi Washington and Dominic Santarelli.
LSU had little expectation of landing both players, and even the possibility of landing one seemed slim. Yet the Tigers are poised to welcome two extraordinary talents to an already stacked outfield. Their late-round selections were not a reflection of a lack of potential; Washington and Santarelli were both projected as first- or second-round picks prior to the draft. The reluctance to sign, coupled with players of their caliber, often leads teams to take a financial risk by drafting them late in hopes of convincing them to forfeit professional opportunities and return to school.
This phenomenon has precedent. In recent drafts, teams have used late picks on tantalizing talent, wagering that the players could be persuaded to enroll in college and re-enter the draft at a higher slot in the future. Jake Brown serves as a notable example: drafted in the 16th round, he chose to attend college, where he then surged to become the 65th overall selection in his year’s draft. Washington and Santarelli could be on a similar trajectory, with the potential for even more dramatic climbs.
Washington, at 18, already shows the makings of an elite center fielder. His best tools are his arm and his speed. He possesses an arm capable of playing right field or in the corner, but his speed and range give him center-field versatility that would be invaluable for LSU. As a top-tier prospect, he could slide into multiple outfield spots, a flexibility that will be beneficial for a Tigers team balancing a wealth of star power in the grass. Offensively, questions about his bat may surface, but his athleticism and defensive upside suggest a path to success at the college level. If he can at least be average with the bat, he’ll be hard to keep off the field.
Santarelli represents a different kind of impact bat. His performance at the MLB Draft Combine left evaluators impressed, and the consensus is that he could be among the first players selected in the early rounds if he opted to turn pro. Santarelli’s left-handed swing delivers significant power, and he profiles as a dynamic hitter who could anchor LSU’s lineup. He’s a natural fit as a clean replacement for Brown in the lineup, with the potential to outpace him in the future. The Wisconsin native could begin his college career as a designated hitter, while also having the versatility to play first base or corner outfield positions, depending on how the Tigers choose to deploy him.
For Jay Johnson, integrating two such elite bats into LSU’s roster could accelerate the program’s ceiling. Santarelli’s ability to drive the ball, paired with Washington’s speed and arm strength, gives LSU a formidable combination at the top and in the middle of the order. The Tigers will likely maximize their outfield depth by rotating these talents into various spots, leveraging their athleticism to create mismatches for opponents.
The decision by both Washington and Santarelli to enroll at LSU rather than sign with MLB clubs speaks to the program’s appeal and the confidence they have in their path forward in college baseball. If they embrace the college route, they could not only contribute immediately but also potentially place LSU in a position to contend for significant postseason success in the near term. As LSU looks to capitalize on this fortuitous turn of events, the program’s future seems brighter than ever, with two of the nation’s premier high school talents joining a system already brimming with potential.