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Draft  | Story | 8/6/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West

Tyler Henninger
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 WEST

Athletics
Grade: 60
Risk: Moderate-Low

Notable Selections: OF Drew Burress (1st rd) | LHP Mason Edwards (2nd rd) | RHP Gabe Gaeckle (CBB rd) 
 

The A’s hammered the college demographic throughout their entire draft and arguably came away with the best class of any organization. Holding the 8th overall pick, the Athletics were able to grab Drew Burress, who is arguably one of the most productive college players in the last decade. They followed that up with getting the No. 20th overall player on our board Mason Edwards with the 47th overall pick. Edwards put together a dominant spring and is a fun starters profile. They grabbed another exciting arm with the 73rd overall pick in Arkansas right-hander Gabe Gaeckle. Gaeckle is in the conversation for best stuff in the country and could become a steal if the command comes around. Jacob Dudan and Aiden Weaver are two more intriguing college arms. In rounds 4-6 they got a trio of college bats in Roman Martin (UCLA), Alex Hernandez (Georgia Tech), and Alex Sosa (Miami). All three ranked inside our Top-130. When you look at each pick they made, you come away more and more impressed. The Athletics are an organization that has had success developing college players recently and only added to the stash of players they can do so again with. 



Houston Astros
 Grade: 45
Risk: Moderate

Notable Selections: OF Logan Hughes (1st rd) | RHP Jack Radel (PPI rd) | LHP Wes Mendes (2nd rd) | SS Keon Johnson (3rd rd)
 

The Astros got their guy at pick 17, selecting outfielder Logan Hughes out of Texas Tech, who had gained late first-round buzz throughout the cycle. With Hughes, Houston is undoubtedly buying the hit/power combo that produced a 1.245 OPS in 2026, slugging 18 homers. A lack of a safe defensive home will temper expectations a bit. With their next two selections, the Astros went the “safe” college pitching route, starting with Notre Dame righty Jack Radel in the PPI round. Radel throws five solid-average or better offerings with a filled-out workhorse frame, giving him a starter look. Houston went back to the demographic with their second-round pick, selecting Florida State southpaw Wes Mendes. He carried a 30-plus percent strikeout rate throughout the spring, displaying a strong mix headlined by a tumbling change-up. In the third round, they shot for upside with Georgia infielder Keon Johnson, whose pure hitting ability and budding power allowed for an overslot payment. Overall, the Astros went with high-floor options outside of Johnson early on, taking on acceptable risk with their first three selections. 

Los Angeles Angels
Grade: 45
Risk: Moderate

Notable Selections: OF Jared Grindlinger (1st rd) | 2B Jarren Advincula (2nd rd) | 3B Gavin Grahovac (3rd rd)
 

It is not very often that a team will fire their GM less than a month before the draft. But the Angels did just that, turning to John Mozeliak to act as the interim GM and lead the draft strategy. The change in leadership did result in a different tactic by the Angels. Instead of going the fast-track college route like they have in recent years, they went to the prep ranks with the selection of Jared Grindlinger. Grindlinger was a standout two-way player at Huntington Beach, but was just announced as an outfielder. The pick is a nice change of pace for the organization, but could leave some things to be desired if they do not let me develop as a two-way player. Following the first round, the Angels went with a heavy load of college players. Jarren Advincula out of Georgia Tech may have the best hit tool in the class and should be a big leaguer. Lack of impact does limit the ceiling on the profile. Gavin Grahovac (Texas A&M), Rylan Lujo (Georgia), and Jaxon Willits (Oklahoma) were the next three picks. All three have been college performers and have some intriguing aspects to the profile, but once again the ceilings are limited. As a whole, the Angels took some quality players, but the class feels more like a collection of safe plays rather than upside plays.

Seattle Mariners
 Grade: 45
Risk: Moderate

Notable Selections: 3B Ace Reese (1st rd) | OF Jake Brown (2nd rd) | RHP Nathan Taylor (3rd rd)
 

The Mariners were comfortably in the bottom half of the league in terms of their bonus pool money, having $8.2 million to dish around for their picks. Naturally, it wasn’t the splashiest of drafts and they had to play it a bit more conservative throughout the process. Naturally, they went college heavy. They drafted one prep (Dominic Santarelli) in the 18th, but did not have the money to lure him away from his LSU commitment. Ace Reese was selected in the first by Seattle, a corner infielder that slugged at Mississippi State this year (.336/24/74). There are some whiff and chase things to take notice of here, but the impact and damage he puts out is enough to off-set those concerns for Seattle. They gave Reese $3.5m. Jake Brown was their 2nd round selection, given $1.38m. He was knocked out in April with a hamate injury, but looks like a fringe hit tool corner outfielder with a good arm and run that has above average raw pop in the stick. With over half their pool gone after the top 2 rounds, you could see the strategy for the draft play out down the board - safer college producers. Nathan Taylor had a track record at Cincinnati of starting games the last two years and racking up quality innings with a solid FB-SL combo. Henry Ford in the 6th provides interesting value if he can dial in the approach a bit, as his under the hood damage numbers can stand next to the best sluggers in the class. All in all, the Mariners stuck with a strategy that aligned strongly with their limitations given the bonus pool money allotment.

Texas Rangers
 Grade: 50
Risk: Extreme

Notable Selections: LHP Gio Rojas (1st rd) | SS Connor Comeau (2nd rd) | LHP Brody Bumila (3rd rd) 
 

While a majority of teams went the college route early in the draft, the Rangers implemented a different strategy. They took a prep player with their first three selections, grabbing Florida left-hander Gio Rojas, Texas shortstop Connor Comeau, and Massachusetts left-handed Brody Bumila. All three players ranked within the Top-55 on our final board. The trio of players cost the Rangers $9,850,000 in signing bonuses, which makes up over 96% of their bonus pool. Not a single other player was signed for more than $500,000 with their rounds 6-10 picks signing for less than $10,000. The strategy does come with obvious risk. You’re pretty much going all in on three prep players with the hopes they provide all the value to the draft class. Gio Rojas was our top prep arm on the board and Connor Comeau received rave reviews throughout the spring. Brody Bumila was likely going to be a first round pick, before news that he will need another elbow surgery the week of the draft. That pick alone brings significant risk, as you are investing $2.75 million into an arm that has had injury history and will likely not see the field until 2028. For an organization that has inconsistent success in development, such a high risk/high reward strategy is a bold one. 
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Draft | Story | 8/7/2026

2026 MLB Draft Team Reports: NL West
Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Team Report Cards: AL 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. NL West Arizona Diamondbacks  Grade: 50 Risk: High Notable Selections: C Ryder Helfrick (1st rd) | RHP Blake Bryant (CB-A rd) | SS Carson Kerce (2nd rd) | OF Brayden Dowd (3rd rd)  Ryder Helfrick (@RazorbackBSB ) different AB; same result. He goes dead central for a solo 💣 this time. Threw a runner out earlier; 1.98 pop. #PGCollege @PG_Draft https://t.co/kW7wraqExJ pic.twitter.com/SARYKxd0oE — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 14, 2026 The Diamondbacks started their...
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General | General | 8/8/2026

12U Game Time: 8/9/2026 1PM Eastern

Perfect Game Staff
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Sunday August 9th, 2026 1:00PM Eastern DICK'S Sporting Goods Park at East Cobb West vs. East Follow and watch the game
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General | General | 8/8/2026

11U Game Time: 8/8/2026 Noon Eastern

Perfect Game Staff
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Saturday August 8th, 2026 12:00PM Eastern DICK'S Sporting Goods Park at East Cobb West vs. East Follow and watch the game
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College | Story | 8/7/2026

Cape Cod League Notebook: August 7

Perfect Game Staff
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RHP Jason Flores (@BaseballUGA) Showed some electric stuff, up to 98 several times CT, SL, CH to round out the arsenal in his 5IP 9K performance. @HarwichMariners So./‘27 elig pic.twitter.com/p2nTvkFnWh — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) August 5, 2026 Jason Flores | RHP | University of Georgia | Harwich Mariners  Flores heads to Georgia this fall looking to reestablish himself as one of the premier arms in the 2027 draft class after showing significant promise during his freshman season at Texas. Flores posted a 2.78 ERA over 32.1 innings as a freshman before a limited sophomore campaign in which he logged just 12 innings. The stuff was on full display this summer, highlighted by a dominant five-inning, nine-strikeout playoff performance in which he touched 98 mph five different times. His fastball averaged nearly 96 mph throughout his time on the Cape, pairing the...
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Tournaments | Championship | 8/6/2026

643 DP Last Team Standing at East WS

Will Dembo
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Following a dominant week at the 17u PG East World Series, No. 34 ranked 643 DP Cougars 17u capped off an impressive tournament run by defeating No. 2 ranked East Cobb Astros 17u, 3-2, in the championship game to claim the title. The Cougars earned the tournament's No. 1 overall seed after outscoring opponents by an absurd 59-6 throughout the week before completing their championship run with a hard-fought victory in the finale. “Always feels great to finish the year playing your best ball, especially when going up against strong competition,” 643 Head Coach Danny Pralgo said. “We did so many of the little things right: on the mound with location, clean on defense, bunting, 2 strike approach leading to long at bats, getting hit-by-pitches, and we had so many good outs offensively that led to moving a runner or scoring a runner. And when those things all come together in...
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Press Release | Press Release | 8/6/2026

PG Extends Partnership With Yeti

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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 EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH YETI   Sanford, Florida (Thursday, August 6, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced an extension of its existing partnership with YETI, the premium outdoor gear brand and the Official Cooler and Drinkware Provider of Perfect Game Baseball and Softball. The partnership between Perfect Game and YETI began in 2021.   The expanded partnership will bring YETI’s products and brand to Perfect Game athletes, families and fans through a variety of activations across Perfect Game’s events and digital platforms. YETI will have a prominent presence both on-site and online, including exposure...
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Tournaments | Story | 8/7/2026

Tournament of Champion Notes: Part 2

Perfect Game Staff
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Tournament of Champions Scout Notes: Part 1 ‘27 LHP Jaylan Hortenbury (KY) @JHortenbury X @PG_Uncommitted FB 85-89/ touched 90. Arm-side life w/ some ride. SL in mid 70s (depth). CH showed as a weapon in the upper 7s. Some sweep to BB in low 7s. Athletic w/ two-way capabilities as well. #TOC 👀 @USAPrimeScout27 pic.twitter.com/vyj1Tb9nBN — Jordan Gates (@JGatesPG) July 30, 2026 Jaylan Hortenbury (2027, New Castle, Ky.) Hortenbury was probably one of my personal favorites, as this was my first time seeing it in action. It’s an athletic two-way profile that has a chance to do both at the next level. But what stood out to me, was his potential on the mound. The left-handed pitcher moves very well and is comfortable there. Has the mound presence Supplemented with a free-flowing and loose arm from a higher ¾ slot, he pounded the zone in his lone appearance. He went...
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Tournaments | Story | 8/6/2026

Tournament of Champions Notes: Part 1

Perfect Game Staff
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‘27 RHP/SS Carson Hailey (KY) Dominant 5.1 IP + 14 K’s‼️ 2 ER on 3 H + 1BB. 69% strikes. FB lived 88-89 T92 w/ ASR + maintained velo. SL 77-80 w/ late sharp break. Throws downhill w/ good extension. Pitches tunnel well out of 3/4 slot. #TOC @carsonhailey_8 @2027TTKY @JGatesPG pic.twitter.com/UoL7newgi6 — Perfect Game Ohio Valley (@PG_OhioValley) July 29, 2026 Carson Hailey (2027, Louisville, Ky..) turned in a dominant outing, striking out 14 across 5.1 innings while allowing two earned runs on three hits and one walk. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound right-hander owns an athletic frame and worked with a controlled tempo on the mound. Hailey used a big leg kick and long stride with an easy lower half, creating downhill action and good extension toward the plate. He finished through his pitches well and maintained his velocity deep into the outing. The fastball lived at 88-89 mph...
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Tournaments | Story | 8/6/2026

East Coast Pro All Prospect Teams

Troy Sutherland
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1st Team C: Quincy Pratt (‘27 MS)-Max EV: 92- Put together a strong showing with multiple knocks; exits of 92/88/88. In-game pops right around 2 flat, 2.01 on a caught stealing and a 1.97. Swing plays and still a bunch of room to add muscle mass. Trending really nicely. 1B: Teagan Leach (‘27 VA)-60-yard: 7.02 Max EV: 105-On the barrel throughout ECP. Everything comes off hard and doesn't whiff much for a power led profile. 101 F8, 99 double left on left with a 4.72 turn, 105 double through the gap, and a 96 exit knock to his credit. Certified hitter that has plus strength now. IF: Isaiah Snavely (‘27 IN)-60-yard:6.71 Max EV: 96-Early attendance for the draft cycle rocket ship is always appreciated and Snavely is on it. 96/366 shot on a breaking ball to go with an 89 exit double and his other couple of hits on the week. 4.26 down the line and a 4.47 turn. Should stick in...
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Tournaments | Championship | 8/6/2026

Canes Walk Off In Florida Elite Champ.

Alyssa Golden
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A tightly contested battle between Canes Florida 2029 and Florida Flames 16u capped the 16U Florida Elite Championship, with the Canes earning a 6-5 walk-off win on Monday at JetBlue Park Stadium. “It means a lot to this team specifically because this is their first win as a group,” Canes head coach Alec Bettinger said. “We’ve come up short a couple times, so seeing one go through the hoop here is really nice for the boys.” The Canes defense came out hot, led by Cannon Tyler who started on the mound for the Canes. Tyler set the tone from the start, opening the game with a strikeout. He allowed no hits while striking out three over five innings. His fastball sat 77-82 mph. Another strikeout and a pickoff at second base ended the inning. Race McDaniel started on the mound for the Flames. The left-hander pitched six innings, striking out seven batters. The...
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