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Draft  | Story | 7/11/2026

Immediate Draft Reactions: First Round

Tyler Henninger
Final 2026 MLB Draft Board: Top 500 | Mock Draft: Version 4.0

It's draft day. The first ten picks are going to roll out over the next hour-plus, so that'll give us enough time to type up a quick reaction as to what we thought of each pick. Make sure to keep refreshing as we'll go at least 10 picks deep with our own individual thoughts of each pick. Who's going one? Somebody jumping into the top 10 we didn't foresee? Stay tuned and lock in! 

Chicago White Sox



1:1 Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA 

There was a lot of talk late on if the White Sox would go a different route, but in the end they wind up selecting the top player on the board. Cholowsky was our wire-to-wire No. 1 ranked player on the board. He is a plus defender at shortstop with Gold Glove ability. There is a mix of hit and power ability at the plate that give him massive upside on both sides of the ball. Cholowsky will immediately become one of the best prospects in baseball and should be in Chicago before we know it. 


Tampa Bay Rays

1:2 Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian (TX)

Tampa Bay is able to grab the best prep on the board here with Emerson. Much like Cholowksy, the Texas prep did not waiver from the top of the board, ranking in No. 2 spot throughout the cycle. Emerson may not get to the big leagues as fast as Cholowksy, but the upside is just as impactful. The hit tool stands out and the power will only continue to grow. The glove should stick at shortstop long term. There is five-tool potential from the left-handed hitting shortstop.


Minnesota Twins

1:3 Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech

Vahn Lackey was the biggest riser on our board throughout the spring and cashes in here at pick No. 3. The Georgia Tech backstop has athleticism you don’t see very often behind the plate. Combine that with outstanding catch and throw ability and you got a really good defender manning your staff. Offensively, the bat took massive leaps forward this spring showing a mix of hit and power ability. The Twins are arguably getting the most dynamic player in the class and should walk away very happy with this selection. 


San Francisco Giants 

1:4 Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

A couple prep bats were in play here, but the Giants go with the top pitcher in the class. Flora quickly separated himself from the rest of the arms on the board this spring. The right-hander possesses massive stuff with immense upside. The fastball works into the triple digits with a deep mix of secondary offerings. There is top of the rotation potential that could move through the Giants’ system fairly quickly.


Pittsburgh Pirates

1:5  Derek Curiel, OF, LSU

The Pirates are the first team to venture down the board a bit here with the selection of LSU outfielder Derek Curiel, who ranked No. 12 on our final rankings. The hit tool is the carrying tool here. There is advanced barrel control and an impressive feel to hit. Curiel slide over to center field this year and should stick there long term. The power has been questioned at times this spring and is what limits the overall ceiling of the profile. It is one of the best pure hit tools in the class that could be in the big leagues fairly soon. 


Kansas City Royals

1:6 Zion Rose, OF, Louisville

The Royals throw the first big curveball here at us with the selection of Zion Rose. There were plenty of talks of an underslot deal here and they will get one with Rose. The outfielder came in at No. 35 overall on our last board, but there are still plenty of tools to like. There is advanced athleticism present with plus speed and obvious upside at the plate. Rose handles the barrel well with big bat speed. It is out first "shock" of the day, but make sense with what we were hearing the Royals were wanting to do with their bonus pool.


Baltimore Orioles

1:7 Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove (MS)

There were talks of Booth going higher than this, but he winds up in Baltimore here at No. 7 overall. The prep outfielder features a profile that screams upside. Booth is a 70-grade runner with feel for the barrel and power that only continues to grow. There will be some time needed to continue the development, but the profile has extreme upside that could pay off long term.


Athletics

1:8 Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech

Burress is arguably the most productive college player over the past three years and the A's get him here at No. 8 overall. The Athletics have had a lot of success going the college route in recent years and should be in line to do so again. Burress is undersize, but brings big time power production and should stick in center field at the next level. Plenty to like with this selection for Burress. 


Atlanta Braves

1:9 AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia

Gracia was a player that was ranked in the Top-10 on the board most of the cycle, but slipped a bit late in the process. That does not matter here, as the Virginia product winds up a Top-10 selection anyways. The profile has big upside on the offensive side of the ball. There is big power potential from the left side of the plate to go with high on-base ability. Gracia will be a corner outfield profile at the next level, but you are buying the bat here and should get a good underslot deal. 


Colorado Rockies

1:10 SS Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky

Bell was a 2nd selection out of Kentucky, but opted to go to school and it pays off. The Rockies are getting a well-rounded player with skills on both sides of the ball. It is a switch-hitting bat with a feel to hit and power upside. The glove should stick at shortstop with sound actions shown there. Bell may not wow people with any overly loud tool, but the profile has a high floor and should be able rise through the Rockies' system fairly quick.


Washington Nationals

1:11 Chris Hacopian, SS, Texas A&M

There were talks of Hacopian going higher than this at points late in the cycle, but he winds up just outside the Top-10 here at No. 11 overall. Hacopian has some of the best under-the-hood data of any hitter in the class. There is a strong mix of hit and power ability. You are buying the bat here, as there are considerable questions on where Hacopian ends up defensively.


Los Angeles Angels

1:12 Jared Grindlinger, OF, Huntington Beach (CA)

Grindlinger was a late add to the 2026 class after reclassifying. He immediately established himself as one of the top prep players on the board. Grindlinger is a high-end two-way player, but was announced as an outfielder. The bat provides elite contact skills with more power to tap into. There is intriguing upside on the mound as well, but it appears they want to develop him as a bat soon,


St. Louis Cardinals

1:13 Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah (GA)

Condon was guy that just kept climbing up boards this spring and goes here at No. 13 overall to St. Louis. The Georgia prep is an elite competitor with athleticism and tools on both sides of the ball. There is power in the left-handed stick, despite an undersized frame. Condon should stick in center field long term. The profile has a lot of intriguing components and this pick is one that could pay off well long term. 


Miami Marlins

1:14 Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Schools (FL)

The Marlins are able to grab the No. 4 overall player on our final board here with the 14th overall selection. The Miami product gets to stay home and brings a loud tool set with him. Lombard is a supreme athlete with advanced actions at shortstop. There is big power from the right side of the plate. The hit tool has drawn criticism this spring and will be the ultimate determining factor of just how high Lombard's ceiling gets. 


Arizona Diamondbacks

1:15 Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas

The Diamondbacks get the No. 9 player on our final board. Helfrick becomes the second backstop off the board and the D-Backs get a good one. He is an advanced defender that receives the ball well and provides strong catch-and-throw. The bat is powerful one that can leave the yard often. Like most, the hit tool has be questioned at times, but the swing decisions and contact rate both improved this spring.


Texas Rangers

1:16 Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas (FL)

We finally have our first prep arm off of the board and Texas selects the top prep arm in the class. Rojas provides immense upside and could be a steal here when it is all said and done. It is an athletic delivery from the left side with an upper-90's heater and feel for slider. The Rangers get good value here taking the No. 9 overall player on the board. 


Houston Astros

1: 17 Logan Hughes, OF, Texas Tech

The Astros get one of the more well-rounded college hitters in the class here at No. 17. Hughes provides a nice mix of power and on-base ability. There is quality impact off the barrel from the left side of the plate. Feel for the zone allows Hughes to walk at a solid clip and make contact a high rate. The long term defensive home is still to be determined, but there is good value to the bat. 


Cincinnati Reds

1:18 Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama

At one point in the cycle, Lebron was in consideration to go 1.1. Struggles in conference play and a step back defensively caused him to slide, but the upside is just too good to pass on at this point. Lebron is a supreme athlete with the potential to be a plus defender at shortstop. There is power upside at the plate, but the hit tool does come with considerable risk. Lebron has struggled mightily at times and will need to improve at the plate in order to make this pick worth it. If he does though, it could become a steal. 


Cleveland Guardians

1:19 Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida

The Guardians are the perfect landing spot for an arm like Peterson. The right-hander has big time upside, as he features power stuff and feel to spin the baseball. There is some stuff the needs to be cleaned up and the strikes need to improve, but the upside is off the charts. With an organization like Cleveland, that has a strong track record of developing arms, there is a chance Peterson can tap into his ceiling and become the best arm in this class when it is all said and done. 


Boston Red Sox

1:20 Jake Schaffner, SS, North Carolina 

The Red Sox take the Tar Heels shortstop here at No. 20 overall in what should be an underslot deal. Schaffner is a table-setting bat that profiles well at the top of the order. There is advanced contact skills with power that continues to increase. Schaffner shows sound defensive actions with the chance to stick at shortstop. Without a clear top player left on the board, Boston goes this route with a chance to spend overslot later on. 


San Diego Padres

1:21 Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton (FL)

The Padres have had success with the high school pitching demographic and tap back into that market here. Borthwick is the second prep arm off the board and the first prep right-hander to be selected. Borthwick is a physical arm that has been up to triple digits with feel for a slider. He moves well despite a bigger frame and throws strikes at a high rate. The upside is obvious here. 


Detroit Tigers

1:22 Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina

Entering the year, Flukey had a strong chance to be the first arm off the board. A non-arm injury limited his time on the bump, causing him to slider here to No. 22 and giving the Tigers a chance at a potential steal. The right-hander features power stuff with supreme strike throwing. It is a starter profile with high upside and plenty to like. 


Chicago Cubs

1:23 Cade Townsend, RHP, Ole Miss 

Townsend was an arm that just continued to climb up the board this spring. The right-hander finds his landing spot here at No. 23 to the Cubs. The profile has obvious starter upside. It is quality velocity to go with a deep mix that can keep hitters guessing. Townsend could be a fairly quick riser through the system. 


Seattle Mariners
1:24 Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State

The Mariners are able to nab the No. 14 player on our board here at 24th overall. The corner infielder provides some of the best raw power in the class. There is a feel to hit, although Reece did struggle at times during conference play. The upside is obvious and the reason why Reece was so high on our board, but because there is not a ton of value on the defensive side, Reece will need to hit in order to make this pick worthwhile. 

Milwaukee Brewers

1:25 Trey Ebel, SS, Corona (CA)

The Brewers make it back to back years in which they select an Ebel brother. The younger Ebel is a sound right-handed hitter with contact skills and a feel to hit. There is fundamentals shown on the defensive side, although it remains to be seen if Trey can stick at shortstop long term. 
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Draft | Story | 8/24/2026

Area Code Gams: Prospect Recap
Steve Fiorindo
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Pitchers George Ferguson, RHP, Abilene HS  Ferguson toed the slab for the Rangers squad in game one of the Codes, setting the tone early with some loud stuff.  Ferguson attacked hitters with a verty fastball up to 96 that played well up in the zone with up to 24 inches of induced vertical break.  He showed more than just a power arsenal, going to the changeup often, using the pitch to put away hitters.  Kills the spin to the 1600’s, regularly getting 13-15 inches of horizontal break.  The slider rounded out the arsenal, working 82/83.  Struck out four over his three innings of work, two on the fastball, two on the change.  2026 PG All American committed to Texas.  Quinn Fitzpatrick, RHP, Stratford HS  Another 2026 PG All American out of Texas, the LSU commit punched out three over his two innings of work, allowing just one hit. ...
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Draft | Story | 8/23/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL East

Tyler Henninger
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With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL East Atlanta Braves  Grade: 55 Risk: High Notable Selections: OF AJ Gracia (1st rd) | OF Carter Beck (PPI) | RHP Kaiden McCarthy (2nd rd) | RHP Jensen Hirschkorn (3rd rd)   OF AJ Gracia (@UVABaseball) is seeing the ball really well & picked up a couple of hits, including a 2B into RCF. Smooth LH stroke & easy impact. Showed + pwr in BP, 46 BB: 36 K. Jr./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/C4rSc0ZNIc — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 30, 2026 Atlanta had $15,870,800 to spend in this year’s draft,...
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Draft | Story | 8/22/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL East

Tyler Henninger
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With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL East Baltimore Orioles Grade: 50 Risk: High Notable Selections: OF Eric Booth Jr. (1st rd) | OF Ty Head (2nd rd) | OF Kevin Roberts Jr (4th rd)  Eric Booth Jr. (26 MS) goes big fly 💣 that carried out oppo. Explosive athlete w/ huge LH juice & tools. Big time in several facets. #NatElite #Vandy commit. @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/kXl7ZVyD9G — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 12, 2025 Baltimore was about middle of the pack in terms of money available this year, having $13.1m to spend on their class. Booth Jr. is a...
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College | Story | 8/21/2026

2027 Draft Preview: Collegiate RHP

Ryan Miller
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2027 MLB Draft Profile Preview: College Right-Handed Pitchers  Throughout the 2027 draft cycle, I’ll be breaking down different demographics in the class. Today we begin with collegiate right-handed pitching, a strong group that is headlined by a legitimate 1-1 candidate in Dax Whitney. Most of the group is made up of high-quality power four arms, with a handful of mid-major arms mixed in. Below are the top college right-handers in the 2027 class:  Dax Whitney (@BeaverBaseball) showed LOUD stuff. FB up to 100, cruised at 95-98. Pair of plus secondaries. CB at 77-79 (2923) with sharp, 12-6 action. Firm SL at 89-91 (2714) with bite. Flashed fading CH at 87-88 (1425). Ranked No. 1 on the ‘27 board @PG_Draft So./‘27 elig. pic.twitter.com/9PNbjJ53Zo — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 13, 2026 Dax Whitney, Oregon State  Whitney has maintained...
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All American Game | Story | 8/21/2026

Brotherly Love Inspires Carter Hadnot

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Perfect Game has been a big part of Carter Hadnot’s life since he was 12. He participated in more than a dozen tournaments and showcases, including prestigious Select Festivals as a 13U and 14U player, as well as last summer’s PG All-Star Game for underclassmen in San Diego.   The PG event that Hadnot always wanted to be part of was the DICK’s All-American Classic. Now, that’s on his resume, too. He played in the 24th annual Classic earlier this week at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. “This means a lot to me,” he said during the event. “I always wanted to make it to Select Fest when I was younger. So, every time I get invited to an event it’s an honor and it’s fun. I don’t take it for granted. “This is definitely the one I always wanted to make it to. A lot of big names have...
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Press Release | Press Release | 8/18/2026

Perfect Game & Delano Partner Up

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME NAMES DELANO BAT COMPANY OFFICIAL WOOD COMPOSITE BAT PARTNER, LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION BAT SERIES   Delano Bats will serve as the Official Game Bat of the 13U Select Festival, taking place this coming weekend in East Cobb, Georgia   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 18, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Delano Bat Company, LLC, naming the company an Official Wood Composite Bat Partner of Perfect Game. The partnership will feature three exclusive limited-edition bat releases, which began with the Original Glory American Flag Bat in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, that...
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Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL Central

Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West | AL Central With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL Central Chicago Cubs  Grade: 40 Risk: Medium Notable Selections: RHP Cade Townsend (1st rd) | OF Caden Sorrell (2nd rd) | 1B Myles Bailey (2C)   RHP Cade Townsend (@OleMissBSB) sat 95-96 T97 w/ riding FB from fast arm. Nasty cutter at 88-91 is the go-to, showed biting 2 pln SL. Low-80s top to bottom CB & CH ~ 1300 RPM to round out mix. Has had a great spring & risen up boards. Soph./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/TAFbM37f5j — PG College...
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Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL Central

Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL Central Cleveland Guardians  Grade: 45 Risk: Moderate  Notable Selections: RHP Liam Peterson (1st rd) | Tre Broussard OF (3rd rd) | RHP Savion Sims (7th rd)  Liam Peterson (@GatorsBB) has been pure power stuff through the first 3.0 IP in his start vs Bama…imposing his will on hitters with a fastball that has grabbed 100 mph a few times, backed up by his power slider and curveball @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/RVThNrdMTn — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 21,...
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High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
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All American Game | Story | 8/16/2026

Romero Slams His Way to Classic MVP

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Sunday’s DICK’s Perfect Game All-American Classic was a pitching-dominated affair until the bottom of the eighth inning when the rain started to fall at Citizens Bank Park and Koa Romero stepped to the plate and did his best impression of Kyle Schwarber. Romero wears No. 12, just like Schwarber. He bats left-handed, just like Schwarber. He’s got big power, just like Schwarber. And at 5-10 and a rock-solid 225 pounds, he’s even built like Schwarber. Needless to say, Schwarber is Romero’s favorite player. So, it was all kind of storybook when Romero belted a grand slam to dead center to cap off the scoring in the West team’s 8-3 win over the East club in the 24th annual Classic. “This is a dream come true,” said Romero, who was named MVP of the game. “It’s amazing to be able to put a ball like that out of a...
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