2026 MLB Draft sees shortstops lead first round and notable pitcher selections

Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick, a player who entered the season as the consensus top prospect and is praised for his power, plate approach and defensive ability. The Rays chose another shortstop, Grady Emerson from Fort Worth Christian High School, citing his combination of power, contact skills and athleticism as the best upside among the class.

Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, projected as a late first-rounder earlier in the year, rose to No. 3 and was taken by Minnesota, where his power, speed and defensive tools are expected to fit the team's recent catcher profile.

The San Francisco Giants selected right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora of UC Santa Barbara at No. 4, describing him as the draft's top pitcher with a fastball in the upper-90s and two effective sliders.

Other notable first-round picks included LSU outfielder Derek Curiel, noted for his contact ability and speed; Louisville outfielder Zion Rose, selected with a Competitive Balance pick by Kansas City; and Baltimore’s first-round selection Eric Booth Jr., a high-school outfielder with power potential.

The draft also featured several high-school pitchers, such as Texas’s Gio Rojas, a left-hander with a fastball in the upper-90s and advanced secondary pitches, and Texas’s Coleman Borthwick, a high-school right-hander projected as a power arm project.

"Cholowsky projects to be an all-around impact performer and should not need much time in the minors," a draft analyst noted.

"Emerson has the best chance to become a superstar among 2026 draftees," the Rays’ scouting department said.

"Flora sits upper-90s and has two distinct sliders that miss bats at a high rate," the Giants’ scouting report stated.

The selections reflect teams’ focus on a mix of immediate impact players and high-upside prospects across positions.