THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
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. 
Give us your feedback
Draft | Story | 7/20/2026

2026 MLB Draft: Roster Challenge
Tyler Henninger
Article Image
With the 2026 MLB Draft complete, our own draft team put together a fun exercise. Using a snake style draft format, we each had to build a roster using players selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. There was one catch. Each team could select only one player from each of the first 10 rounds, plus one player from Rounds 11-20. You did not have to go in order of each round, meaning you could jump between rounds and pick which players you thought had the most value. Each team installed a different strategy, balancing between star power, positional value, and depth. You tell us, which team do you think has the most talent? Team Albee C: Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech (1st rd) 1B: Will Adams, Hoover HS (11th rd) MIF: Cole Prosek, Magnolia Heights HS (2nd rd) MIF: Eric Guevara, Auburn (7th rd) 3B: Robert Omidi, Fieldhouse Pirates (8th rd) OF: Kevin Roberts Jr, Jackson Prep HS (4th rd) OF: Alex...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/27/2026

15u South World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Jacob Ramirez (‘29 TX) all over it again today as he sends this ball into the parking lot for a 2-run 💣! Been seeing it awfully well all week with serious bat speed. Dude can play. #SouthWS https://t.co/rXRRJTbpoZ pic.twitter.com/CpBZklwxnN — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) July 25, 2026 Jacob Ramirez (2029, Santa Fe, Texas) had one of the strongest showings on the week for Texas Twelve Red Sox helping lead his team to a championship victory while taking home MVP honors. Ramirez was simply put, all over the barrel and worked some of the best at-bats of the tournament. Ramirez is a highly athletic short stop who was a main stay out there while looking the part. He made most plays his way while showing good hands and footwork around the ball with lateral range getting to balls with ease. Athleticism really shined on the dirt throughout the week. In the box, Ramirez finished the...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/24/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 7

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Carter Nash (2029, Moore, S.C.) was all over the barrel for ZT National Prospects 15u. The right-handed hitter starts from a medium stance with in-line feet and a high handset with a high back elbow, utilizes a low leg lift trigger. Creates separation in the back shoulder and flips the hips with quick hands from a slightly uphill bat plane and good bat speed. Easy juice and strength present in the 5-foot-11, 201-pound frame with feel to impact and drive the ball. Showed the feel to let the ball travel and get deep and showed the hand speed to create barrel whip out front and drive the ball consistently to the backside. Solid range and showed solid arm strength out in center field defensively. The outfielder collected three extra base hits with two doubles and a triple to drive in an RBI and worked two walks. Nash ended the event with eight hits, including four doubles, a triple and two...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/24/2026

PG East World Series Preview

Will Dembo
Article Image
As the summer travel baseball season comes to an end, over 80 teams will meet in East Cobb, Georgia as they look to end the year with a victory and a trophy at the PG East World Series. The premier event will host 5 age groups of 14u-18u with pool play commencing the tournament on Friday, July 24th, with champions crowned on Monday, July 27th at East Cobb Baseball Complex. The 15u field will feature 26 teams from all over the southeast, including the No. 27 team in the nation from the 14u rankings, Home Plate Chili Dogs 14u Glozier. The Chili Dogs, who also played up in the 15u WWBA last week for increased exposure, have been a very solid team this summer, but are still in search of their first championship win of the season. Another highly touted team looking to challenge them is USA Scout Team Nike, who is another 14u squad who will play against more mature competition for their 15u...
Read More
College | Story | 7/24/2026

Cape Cod League Notebook: July 24

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Luke Costello | INF | South Carolina | Bourne Braves  Costello brings one of the cleaner offensive operations in the Cape, featuring a simple, direct swing that allows him to consistently get the barrel out front and do damage. He minimizes unnecessary movement, stays on time, and shows the strength to impact the baseball with authority. After a very productive spring hitting .302 with 17 home runs during his sophomore season at Wake Forest, Costello heads to South Carolina as an established middle-of-the-order bat. His combination of present power, offensive consistency, and polished approach should translate well against SEC pitching.     A look at Terry Hayes Jr (@OleMissBSB) lived 92-94 on the FB showed a CT at 88-90, SL at 82-84 and a really good CB at 78-81. @ChathamAnglers So./‘26 elig pic.twitter.com/vbsYWF2IcY — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall)...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

A Look Ahead: 16U PG West WS

Emily Hicks
Article Image
Another exciting week of Perfect Game baseball is on the horizon as the 16U PG West World Series brings together some of the top travel baseball programs for a highly competitive tournament. Taking place July 23 - 26 at Riverview Complex in Mesa, AZ, the event will feature talented teams looking to make a statement as they compete for one of the summer's most prestigious titles. The tournament will welcome clubs from across the West, creating a talented field filled with nationally recognized organizations, rising contenders, and some of the top 16U prospects in the country. Throughout pool play and the championship bracket, every game will provide an opportunity for teams to showcase their talent while pursuing a World Series championship. With high-level competition expected throughout the week, fans can look forward to quality pitching, explosive offenses, and outstanding defensive...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

Battle For The Midwest Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Gavin Johnson (2029, De Pere, Wisc.) handled the bat pretty well this weekend for his CBT Wolfpack 15u team that made a run into bracket play. Johnson is a left-handed hitting first baseman with a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, showing good physicality throughout the build. It’s a clean stroke from the left side, with feel to deliver the barrel on time and drive the ball working pull-side. He has a feel to rotate well, loading deep with the hands & turning well through contact to impact the baseball out in front. Johnson tallied four hits on the weekend, including 2 doubles and a triple. He plated 3 runs as well.   Devon Hester (2029, Chicago, Ill.) had a heck of a weekend for Chicago White Sox Ace 2029 Hunt. He showed out on both sides of the ball this past weekend, really getting it done at the plate. He finished the weekend 7-for-15, with a double and 4 RBI to...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 2

Jordan Gates
Article Image
UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 1 ‘27 RHP Alexander Kakach (MN) displayed present arm strength and some feel to spin. The #Creighton commit was up to 93 mph with the FB (89-93), while the SL showed two plane break at 79-84 mph. Mixed in CT at 84-86 with tight action in the zone. #UBCMW @MNIcemen @PG_WiscMinn pic.twitter.com/TlrOnNDIcd — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 18, 2026 Alexander Kakach (2027, Plymouth, Minn.) of MN Icemen 17U Gominsky displayed intriguing upside on the mound, striking out five over 4.0 innings while running the fastball up to 93 mph with ride. The 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander and Creighton commit paired the fastball with a low-80s slider that flashed two-plane break and a cutter that played well off the mix. Kakach worked with a loose, quick arm from a high three-quarter slot, creating quality movement across his mix while displaying...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 6

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 Brycen Orcutt (‘29, WV) was dominant to open his outing, tossing five innings of shutout ball thus far, striking out nine. Got the FB up to 85 w/ feel to land a tight + sharp two-plane BB. #WWBA @PG_VirginiaWV pic.twitter.com/Yjm2IbufqU — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2026 Brycen Orcutt (’29, South Charleston, WV) has put together a strong event on both sides of the ball, posting a 1.458 OPS at the plate thus far, including a pair of doubles and three driven in. On the mound, Orcutt has logged a pair of starts, totaling 11.1 innings of shutout ball, striking out 15. The West Virginia native operates from a medium right-handed frame with a bit of length and lower half strength. He starts above the belt, working into an over-the-head windup before utilizing a medium direct leg lift, firing down...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/22/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 5

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 Noah Rumley (‘29 NC) has been up to 90 so far in this start w/ 8 Ks in 4 innings of work. Really jumps out of the hand at foot strike w/ some ride to it; has also mixed in a SL w/ horizontal action. #WWBA @PG_Coastal pic.twitter.com/OcU57a3Syl — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2026 Noah Rumley (2029, Summerfield, N.C.) got the ball for GBC Lopez 2029 15u in their final game of pool play and dominated, going up against a tough lineup in the East Cobb Astros. The 6-foot-2 left-handed pitcher ended up going five innings, allowing only one hit and one run, while striking out nine. It’s premium stuff at the 15u level as he worked easily in the upper-80s, topping at 90 mph in the first. The breaking ball showed two-plane shape in the upper-70s as well. There’s a ton of things to like already and even...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 7/22/2026

Champions Named at Southwest Select

Emily Hicks
Article Image
Another week of Perfect Game baseball concluded as champions were crowned in the 15U, 16U, and 18U divisions of the Southwest Select Championship. After several days of pool play and championship bracket action, three teams rose above the competition to capture tournament titles following a week of high-level baseball. Throughout the tournament, teams from across the Southwest and beyond competed in closely contested matchups, producing standout pitching performances, timely offense, and memorable defensive plays. As the bracket narrowed, each division featured championship-caliber baseball before the final trophies were awarded. 15U Championship The 15U division title was claimed by AZ Prodigy, who defeated Nomadic 14U Premier by a score of 2-1 in the championship game. After putting together a strong tournament run, AZ Prodigy continued its momentum in the title game with contributions...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.