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Draft  | Story | 8/7/2026

2026 MLB Draft Team Reports: NL West

Tyler Henninger
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) 


The Diamondbacks started their draft by taking a coveted profile in high-level college catcher Ryder Helfrick out of Arkansas. Helfrick possesses some swing-and-miss in his game but managed to slug 18 homers while posting a .974 OPS in 2026. His strong arm and advanced defensive actions should dictate a high-floor profile. In the competitive balance round, they selected Georgia right-handed Blake Bryant. The Clemson recruit carries with him a big and projectable frame, along with four strong offerings thrown for strikes. In the second and third, Arizona took back-to-back college bats in Georgia Tech shortstop Carson Kerce and Florida State outfielder Brayden Dowd. Both have a lengthy track record of production at the collegiate level, showcasing strong tools in the box and defensively. Kerce appeared in the middle infield while posting a 1.152 OPS with 11 homers. Dowd showed an all-around offensive game with double-digit homers and more walks than strikeouts. Overall, the Diamondbacks stuck to their board and managed to produce a crop that has multiple paths to Major League contribution. 

Colorado Rockies
Grade: 55
Risk: High

Notable Selections: SS Tyler Bell (1st rd) | C Daniel Jackson (2nd rd) | RHP Logan Reddemann (3rd rd) | RHP Tyler Putnam (5th rd) 
 

The Rockies had $15.5 million in bonus pool money to spend this year, and they truly made the most of it. I loved this draft for them, blending big upside with safer floors in college early before splashing with a prep right-handed arm in the 5th with a huge overslot deal. With a new GM in place undertaking his first draft process with the club, it makes sense why the top lent itself to more college for the Rockies here. Tyler Bell bet on himself coming out of high school and it paid off, getting $5.97m in the first round just a few years later. He feels like a safer college option that fits perfectly for Colorado in this spot. He likely doesn’t have a tool that projects as plus at the big league level, but it is a bevy of 50-55 tools with fringe power and long-term shortstop projection. It’s not too shabby either when you can add the Golden Spikes winner in the 2nd, as they inked Daniel Jackson for nearly $2.3m. The hit tool likely projects out at a 40, but the impact has a chance for above average with an average arm and run tool. If you’re bullish on him, you think he can stick behind the dish. Even if he doesn’t, he’s athletic with the arm strength necessary to handle right field. Logan Reddemann was their 3rd round selection, a proven college starter at UCLA who feels like a safe bet to start games at the professional level as well. He has mid rotation upside with good control and a full array of offerings that project as average to above average. Jack Natili is another backstop they took in the 4th that had an incredible year at Cincinnati, offering a bit better hit tool projection than his counterpart Jackson. The ability to catch is also up in the air, but he’s got the prerequisite arm strength to do so. Tyler Putnam was the 5th round prep splash, signed for nearly $1.9m. He’s got the long body you project strength onto with ease, and the fastball has a chance to be a monster. There was a big up arrow next to his name all spring long, and it culminated in this selection. All in all, this was a great draft in my eyes for the Rockies. 

Los Angeles Dodgers
Grade: 40
Risk: Moderate

Notable Selections: SS Bo Lowrance (1st rd) | RHP Russell Sandefer (4th rd) | LHP Miles Gosztola (8th rd)
 

When it comes to most transactions, the Dodgers are the team that does not have to worry about funds. But in the 2026 draft, they were severely limited by their bonus pool after having to forfeit their 2nd round, 3rd round, 4th round, and 6th round selections. Having a little less than a $4 million bonus pool to work with, Los Angeles had to get a little creative. They were able to grab prep shortstop Bo Lowrance with the 40th overall selection, signing him to an overslot deal. A player some thought could float toward the first round. Following Lowrance they hammered the college demographic, selecting 13 college players in their final 15 picks. With the pool they were given, it was going to be hard for the Dodgers to walk away with any surplus of talent, but they were still able to grab a couple intriguing pieces and a high end prep player. 

San Diego Padres
Grade: 55
Risk: High

Notable Selections: RHP Coleman Borthwick (1st rd) | SS Elliot Lascelles (2nd rd) | RHP Ryan Lynch (3rd rd)
 

There were talks that the Padres may go the college route in the first round, but they did not vary from their traditional tactic and ended up going back to the prep ranks. They grabbed right-hander Coleman Borthwick out of Florida. Borthwick is a big, physical arm that can reach triple digits and posted a monster spring. They followed it with a bit of a surprising pick to some in Canadian-prep shortstop Elliot Lascelles. Lascelles may not stick at shortstop long term, but is a very good athlete with a strong feel to hit. Following their first two selections, San Diego implemented an all-college strategy over their next 15 picks and went to the college ranks in 17 of their final 19 selections. North Carolina Ryan Lynch is an intriguing arm with enticing data to back him up. They were able to grab some really productive pieces that could provide value later in the process. Nu’u Contrades (6th rd) put up a loud year at Arizona State, as did Augie Lopez (10th rd) at Southern California. In total, the class has some solid upside pieces and quality depth as well. 

San Francisco Giants
Grade: 55
Risk: Moderate

Notable Selections: RHP Jackson Flora (1st rd) | LHP Carson Bolemon (CBA) | RHP Kaden Weachter (2nd rd) | OF Peyton Bonds (3rd rd)
 

The Giants spent the 3rd most money in the draft this year (5th most of all-time) and came away winners. They were able to grab the top arm on the board in Jackson Flora out of UCSB. The right-hander has front of the rotation potential and was clearly the best arm in the entire class. They followed with the selection of two high school arms with significant upside. Peyton Bonds as their third round selection. The nephew of Giants legend Barry Bonds can bring significant raw power with intriguing potential at the plate. Later on in the draft, San Francisco grabbed one of the top seniors on the board in right-hander Eric Nachtheim, along with left-hander Beau Bryans. In rounds 10-20, they grabbed athletic outfielder Josiah Kemp, nephew of Matt Kemp, as well as a couple of intriguing college third baseman in Drew Smith and Dalton Wentz. The class has a nice mix of upside on the mound and a fairly deep position group. It is hard not to walk away feeling good about what the Giants were able to do.  
 
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Draft | Story | 8/11/2026

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College | Story | 8/7/2026

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