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Draft  | Story | 8/23/2026

2026 MLB Draft Team Report Cards: NL East

Tyler Henninger
Joey Cohen
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)
 

Atlanta had $15,870,800 to spend in this year’s draft, and they certainly made some splashes with that capital early on in the draft. The prep right-hander category is historically a mixed bag and comes with plenty of risk, but this staff was confident and spent nearly 6.5 million on Kaiden McCarthy ($2.49m) and Jensen Hirschkorn ($3.97m). McCarthy was young at draft (just 17.9), on the smaller side and worked in the upper 90’s with the fastball, holding mid 90’s deep into starts. He throws a pair of quality breaking balls and has a usable change plus average control, giving him a pathway into a mid-backend rotation role at the big league level. Hirschkorn provides more size at 6’7/205, getting downhill with ease and working low-mid 90’s on the fastball. There is plenty of capacity to spin here, and there is reason to believe both the fastball and slider could turn into 55-plus offerings at peak. Combined with his strike throwing ability, it’s easy to dream on. On the flip side, their first two selections in the draft came in the form of left-handed hitting collegiate outfielders. Gracia was taken in the 1st, a bat that is selective with good swing decisions, quality contact rates and maximizes his power output thanks to angles. A three year producer in the ACC with an OPS over 1.000 in each year, there is comfort knowing what this type of profile should turn into. Beck was a mid-major late riser on boards, showing an attractive hit/power combo with good contact rates and a chance for average game power. A plus runner as well, he will get every chance to stick in center. If not, his fringe arm will push him to left. He has already been assigned, and is hitting .409 over 44 AB to this point in his professional career. Another seven figure bonus man is prep catcher Jack Brenner. He presents a quality arm behind the dish, good athleticism and a clean linedrive stroke in the box. The body will hold strength nicely without sacrificing a step. To cap off the spending spree, Atlanta took a trio of arms in rounds 4-6: Cole Dennis, Wil Libbert, and Tyson Grulkowski. 

New York Mets 
Grade: 45
Risk: Extreme
Notable Selections: RHP Carson Wiggins (1st rd) | OF Aiden Robbins (3rd rd) | LHP Shane Sdao (4th rd) | RHP Luke McNeillie (5th rd)
 

Overall, New York signed just one high school player this year, opting for the college route with the rest of their selections. The Mets started their draft with a surprise selection of Arkansas righty Carson Wiggins, who totaled just 14 college innings due to injury and missed all of 2026. Maybe a bigger shock was that Wiggins was paid full slot value, a pick that looked like an underslot deal when it was made. Wiggins has power stuff from a large workhorse frame, including a fastball up to 102 and a pair of distinct breaking balls. Next, the Mets took Texas outfielder Aiden Robbins in the third round, someone who was generating first-round buzz throughout the cycle. Robbins slugged 24 homers and drove in 64 for the Longhorns last spring, but whiff-and-chase concerns impacted his draft stock. Overall, Robbins brings a track record of hitting and loud tools, proven in the SEC. New York went with Texas A&M southpaw Shane Sdao in the fourth, an experienced starter coming off a down senior campaign. Sdao works with an advanced three-pitch mix, including a riding mid-90s fastball, sharp sweeping slider, and a fading change-up. In the fifth, the Mets continued their trend of college pitching with Florida right-hander Luke McNeillie. McNeillie, similar to Sdao, has logged a good amount of innings at school, splitting time between the bullpen and rotation. He has seen the high-90s with the heater, mixing in a nasty two-plane slider, flashing a change-up. Overall, the Mets gained a good amount of pure tools in this class, but risk and inconsistencies will limit their immediate value. 

Miami Marlins 
Grade: 55
Risk: High
Notable Selections: SS Jacob Lombard (1st rd) | LHP Ethan Kleinschmidt (2nd rd) | RHP Ryan Peterson (CB-B rd) | OF Wessley Roberson (4th rd) 
 

It is hard not to come away from the draft excited if you are a Marlins fan. Shortstop Jacob Lombard was the No. 4 overall prospect on our final board and Miami was able to grab him at 14th overall. The hometown kid does come with some hit tool risk, but he is a ridiculous athlete with the ability to stick at shortstop and has power ability at the plate. At that point in the first round, you have to feel good about getting a talent like that even with the risk. They followed it up with one of my favorite arms in the draft with the selection of Ethan Kleinschmidt. The Oregon State left-hander has quality stuff, a performance history, and some projection still remaining. They were able to grab a handful of quality college arms, including Ryan Peterson, Trey Beard, and Cole Selvig. The class as a whole has a nice mix of depth and upside that could turn into legit big league contributors. 

Philadelphia Phillies
Grade: 45
Risk: High
Notable Selections: INF Tyler Spangler (1st rd) | OF Caden Bogenpohl (2nd rd) | OF Will Gasparino (5th rd) 


The Phillies embraced upside throughout this class as nearly every major selection comes with some level of risk. Tyler Spangler was viewed as one of the better pure hitters in the prep class entering the spring as his combination of offensive ability, athleticism and defensive skill gave Philadelphia plenty to dream on at No. 36. The concern is the limited exposure this year, which makes his evaluation more difficult than most players taken in that range. If he gets back to his previous trajectory, this could prove to be a strong value pick. Caden Bogenpohl brings perhaps the loudest offensive tools of the early group. His ability to produce elite contact is obvious but translating that strength into consistent in-game production will be the ultimate question. If Philadelphia can unlock more playable offense, there’s legitimate impact potential. Will Gasparino also feels like an intriguing fifth-round developmental bet for the Phillies. The UCLA outfielder has shown enough physicality and raw power to create real offensive upside, but the hit tool remains the swing skill. If Philadelphia can help him tighten the approach and turn more of his strength into consistent game production, there’s enough here for him to outperform his draft slot.The pitching selections carry their own set of concerns. Ruger Riojas has the fastball and secondary stuff to advance quickly, although his age leaves less room for development. Jaxon Jelkin offers intriguing arm talent but comes with an even greater projection hurdle also given his long college path and age. Bo Rhudy could wind up being one of the class’s better Day 2 values. His stuff isn’t overwhelming, but his ability to consistently get ahead and finish hitters with his breaking ball gives him a fairly straightforward bullpen path. Overall, this is a class built around solid bets rather than certainty. Spangler and Bogenpohl give the Phillies two intriguing offensive swings, while the pitching group offers potential for relatively quick returns. The ceiling is high, but Philadelphia will need some of these gambles to pay off.

Washington Nationals 
Grade: 50
Risk: Moderate-High
Notable Selections: INF Chris Hacopian (1st rd) | OF Chase Brunson (2nd rd) | SS Luke Williams (3rd rd) | RHP Cooper Harris (4th rd)
 

The Nationals put together a strong class built on different demographics and a whole lot of tools. In the first, Washington selected Texas A&M infielder Chris Hacopian, a Maryland transfer with a proven track record of hitting. Hacopian posted a .339/.449/.604 career line with 40 homers, 144 RBIs, and more walks than strikeouts. He has a well-rounded offensive profile, keeping whiff and chase in check while hammering extra-base damage. Defensively, Hacopian should stick on the infield dirt. In the second, the Nationals took TCU outfielder Chase Brunson, coming off a season in which he produced a 1.018 OPS and slugged ten homers. Brunson is a corner outfield profile with a well-rounded offensive game, limiting in-zone whiff and posting high-end exit velocities. In the third, Washington landed Pittsburgh-area infielder Luke Williams, giving him a significant overslot deal. An athletic shortstop with loud tools, Williams is an advanced runner with significant arm strength, giving him the skill set to stick at shortstop. He will need to polish parts of his offensive game moving forward. Texas right-hander Cooper Harris was the Nationals’ fourth-round selection, another significant overslot deal. Harris operates with a four-pitch mix, starting with a low-to-mid 90s fastball from a projectable frame. Overall, Washington blended safe college profiles with high-upside preps. 
 
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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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All American Game | Story | 8/15/2026

A Philly Dream for Steingall

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Carson Steingall had been to Citizens Bank Park many times over the years. After all, he hails from Nazareth, Pa., about 90 minutes up the road from the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and he counts himself as a big fan of the team. Zack Wheeler is his favorite. Steingall realized a dream when he pitched from the same mound that Wheeler does in Perfect Game’s fourth annual All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors on Friday. The dream got even better when Steingall, a 16-year-old right-hander, was named Most Valuable Pitcher after striking out the side in the third inning of the National team’s 6-1 victory over the American team. “It’s just an honor to be here,” Steingall said after receiving his trophy. “This event is the best of the best. It’s really cool to win something like this.” Steingall, who’ll...
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