AL Central Draft Classes Highlight Elite Prospects and Pitching Depth

The American League Central teams each added notable talent in the 2026 MLB Draft, focusing on the first ten rounds that count toward their bonus pools.

The Chicago White Sox, holding the No. 1 overall pick and the largest draft pool after acquiring the 34th pick, selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky. Analysts note his combination of average, power and defensive ability, though he may need swing adjustments to handle higher-level pitching. The White Sox also added high-school hitters Landon Thome and Cole Prosek, as well as several right-handed pitchers with mid-rotation upside, including Georgia’s Joey Volchko and Oregon State’s Eric Segura.

Cleveland’s first-round pick was Florida right-hander Liam Peterson, praised for his velocity and slider. The Guardians also drafted high-school left-hander Logan Schmidt and a mix of contact hitters and projectable arms, such as Houston outfielder Tre Broussard and Texas high-school pitcher Savion Sims, who possesses a high ceiling despite raw secondary pitches.

Detroit selected Coastal Carolina right-hander Cameron Flukey in the first round, a pitcher who fell in the draft after injury but retains a fastball near 97 mph and a solid secondary mix. The Tigers added power-oriented position players like Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc and several pitchers with upside, including Florida Gulf Coast’s Evan Dempsey and Louisiana high-school shortstop Dominic Pellegrin.

Kansas City’s first-round choice was Louisville outfielder Zion Rose, a high-average hitter with speed who posted a .417/.491/.646 line in college. The Royals also drafted a range of pitchers, including Mississippi right-hander Taylor Rabe and high-school arm Jack Slightom, both noted for strong velocity and control potential.

The Minnesota Twins took Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the top pick, describing him as a high-ceiling athlete with solid contact skills and a strong arm. Their subsequent selections emphasized pitching depth, featuring Texas catcher Carson Tinney, Virginia Tech right-hander Brett Renfrow, and high-school power arms such as Ethan Wachsmann, who can touch 100 mph.

Overall, the AL Central’s draft haul reflects a blend of elite position players and a deep pool of pitching prospects, giving each club a foundation to develop talent for the coming years.