​The 2026 MLB Draft kicks off this weekend, with NBC/Peacock carrying the first 10 picks on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m., after which coverage will switch to MLB’s broad slate of platforms for the remainder of Saturday (starting at 2:30 p.m.) through Sunday (11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.). NC State has had a player selected in every draft for the last 25 years, and that streak should continue this year, as at least six members of this year’s Wolfpack baseball team are projected to be drafted.
Among NC State’s draft-eligible players, several stand out as almost certain selections: Dudan, Head, Johnson, Marohn, McHugh, and Nixon. These six recently participated in the MLB Draft Combine, which strongly suggests they will be chosen. Head has surged up boards late in the process, appearing at #60 on MLB.com, #46 on ESPN’s rankings, and as high as #16 in FanGraphs’ assessments. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has him mocked at the 44th pick to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Dudan is another highly regarded prospect for this year’s class, though his stock took a hit when an elbow injury necessitated Tommy John surgery midseason. Because of that injury, he slid from a possible first-round consideration, but he is not expected to fall out of the third round this weekend. MLB ranks Dudan at #78, ESPN at #89, and FanGraphs at #73. Marohn is the Wolfpack’s other top-listed prospect, cracking the Top 250 with MLB placing him at #149 and ESPN at #177. Among college players, D1 Baseball rates Dudan at #50, Head at #53, Marohn at #107, Johnson at #138, Nixon at #185, and McHugh at #201.
The draft also features a broader contingent of Wolfpack talent, with several pitchers and position players who have drawn industry attention through the season and at the Combine. The list includes various who posted solid numbers, showing potential to climb into early rounds or high-profile mid-round selections depending on team needs and the charters of the draft’s day-to-day progress.
In sum, NC State heads into the 2026 draft with multiple players positioned to hear their names called early, aided by a track record of Wolfpack representation in every draft year for the past quarter-century. The weekend’s coverage will kick off on NBC/Peacock for the earliest picks and then transition to a wide array of MLB platforms, offering fans a comprehensive window into who among the Wolfpack—especially Dudan, Head, Johnson, Marohn, McHugh, and Nixon—will hear their names selected and embark on the next chapter of their baseball careers.