​Meet the players from famous families selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, including Jim Thome’s son and Barry Bonds’ nephew, originally published by The Sporting News. Please note The Sporting News is listed as a preferred source by clicking here. While on the field baseball generally isn’t a sport famous for nepotism, the truth is that talent and hard work are what earn a roster spot, not last names. Yet there are occasions when a player’s pedigree matters, and in the 2026 MLB Draft, several draftees came with strong baseball lineages—children, nephews, and relatives of past stars, current coaches, and other notable prospects.
Here’s a complete look at the 2026 MLB draftees with well-known family ties, including some names already recognized in the baseball world.
Draft pick: No. 14 — Team: Marlins
Among the top prospects in the 2026 class is someone connected to a high-profile player in the game today. Infield prospect Jacob Lombard, brother of Yankees’ standout George Lombard Jr., is moving into the Marlins’ system at No. 14 in the draft. George Lombard Jr. is widely regarded as one of MLB’s top young talents, ranked No. 20 in MLB.com’s overall prospect list. George previously went No. 26 overall to New York. The younger Lombard brings a similar blend of athleticism and versatility to the field, and the Lombard brothers share the same baseball lineage with their father, former big leaguer George Lombard.
Draft pick: No. 25 — Team: Brewers
Milwaukee’s first-round pick in 2026 comes from a family with deep ties to the sport. Corona High School shortstop Trey Ebel joins his brother Brady Ebel in the Brewers organization. Brady was Milwaukee’s first-round pick last year. The Ebel brothers are sons of longtime Dodgers coach Dino Ebel, who has also served as a coach for Team USA in the 2023 and 2026 World Baseball Classics. The pairing adds another layer of familiarity and potential for rapid development within the Brewers’ system.
Draft pick: No. 34 — Team: White Sox
The White Sox added a noteworthy name to their 2026 class by drafting Hall of Fame slugger Jim Thome’s son, Landon Thome, at No. 34. Landon is widely regarded as one of the most polished hitters in this draft class. His left-handed stroke and well-rounded approach at the plate carry the weight of his father’s legendary career, which included 612 big-league home runs. While living up to such a legacy is a tall order, Landon’s demonstrated power and plate discipline make him a compelling prospect for Chicago.
Draft pick: No. 90 — Team: Giants
The Giants continued their trend of pairing familiar franchise connections with fresh talent by drafting the nephew of one of the greatest sluggers in the team’s history. This pick highlights the ongoing theme in this class: players with well-known baseball families finding opportunities with teams that have long been part of their story.
This collection of draftees shows how the 2026 MLB Draft blended proven potential with lineage, as teams looked to add players who carry more than just raw talent. The presence of family connections adds an extra dimension to the narrative, though each player must still prove themselves on the field to secure a long-term place in the majors. For more on the full list of picks and detailed profiles, see the comprehensive breakdown of the 2026 MLB Draft selections.