Get ready, baseball fans, because the 2026 college baseball season is here, and with it comes the highly anticipated draft rankings and scouting reports. But here’s where it gets exciting: this year’s class is packed with talent, and I’m here to break it all down for you. Head over to The Board (https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2026-mlb-draft) to dive into detailed tool grades and player insights. In this article, I’ll spotlight some of the most promising prospects to watch as we count down to July’s draft in Philadelphia—a can’t-miss event for any baseball enthusiast. I’ll also analyze the overall talent pool and highlight the teams poised to make a splash this year.
Before we dive in, let’s clarify how these rankings work. Currently, 51 players are listed on The Board. Players with a 40+ FV (Future Value) are individually ranked, while those with a 40 FV are grouped by demographic. Draft-eligible sophomores are marked with asterisks. At this early stage, rankings are more like clusters or neighborhoods—it’s too soon to lock in precise positions, especially beyond the first two rounds. Expect more players to join The Board as the season progresses. And don’t forget to check out our college leaderboards (https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/college) and player pages for deeper insights.
And this is the part most people miss: While this draft class lacks a clear-cut superstar like Stephen Strasburg or Gerrit Cole, it’s incredibly deep, especially with college talent. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky stands out—his scouting report resembles a bulkier Dansby Swanson, and he’d be a top pick in most years. Plus, several players could rise to the 55-FV tier by draft day. This class is loaded with college players who’d typically land in the middle of the first round, but this year, some may slip to the 25th pick or later. The 2023 high school class was strong, and several unsigned players from that group are now first and second-round contenders. Thanks to modern training and pitch design, college programs are churning out improved arms, which could offset the inevitable injuries we’ll see this season.
But here’s where it gets controversial: For the fourth year in a row, high school pitching is a major strength. Typically, I’d expect 8-10 high school pitchers worthy of $1.5 to $2 million bonuses, but this year, there could be 12 to 15. These aren’t just hard throwers—they’re towering prospects, 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-7, with the potential to log 160+ innings in their prime. However, with limited bonus money, some top pitchers will likely head to college, boosting the 2029 class. Players like Liam Peterson (Florida Gator) and Joey Volchko (Georgia) fit this mold in 2023. Peterson has elite stuff but a concerning delivery, while Volchko transferred from Stanford to Georgia this year.
High school hitting, however, isn’t as impressive. Few are projected for the early or middle first round. Texas shortstop Grady Emerson is a safe bet for the top five, and NorCal’s Tyler Spangler could go high, though signing him might be a challenge. Switch-hitting shortstop Rocco Maniscalco, just 17.2 on draft day, is a wild card. His showcase numbers (72% contact rate, sub-.700 OPS) are underwhelming, but his frame, lefty swing, and defense have scouts intrigued. Could he break out this year?
Now, let’s talk teams. Some franchises are set up for a massive draft thanks to early picks. The Cardinals have six of the first 86 picks, while the Pirates have five of the first 80. Here’s the full list of teams with multiple early picks:
- Atlanta Braves (9, 26, 48, 84, 112)
- Houston Astros (17, 28, 57, 93, 121, 134)
- St. Louis Cardinals (13, 32, 50, 68, 72, 86, 114)
- Tampa Bay Rays (2, 33, 49, 85, 113)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (5, 34, 44, 51, 80, 108)
- Colorado Rockies (10, 37, 38, 76, 104, 138)
The Pirates and Rays are positioned to add multiple Top 100 prospects, while the Cardinals’ already deep system could grow to 70 rankable players by year’s end.
Here’s a bold take: Gulliver Prep shortstop Jacob Lombard, brother of Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr., is overrated. His power and tools are impressive, but his 61% contact rate in showcase events is alarming—even below big league averages. Contact rates often decline as players advance, so this is a red flag. Meanwhile, Liam Peterson’s fastball/breaking ball combo is elite, but his violent delivery is a concern. Georgia high schooler Joseph Contreras, son of Jose Contreras, is generating buzz with his growing velocity (94-97 mph) and devastating forkball. The question is: can his delivery sustain a starter’s workload?
Finally, keep an eye on Carson Wiggins, brother of Cubs prospect Jaxon Wiggins. Carson hit 102 mph last year before undergoing elbow surgery in May. If he recovers in time for pre-draft workouts, he could be a sleeper pick.
Thought-provoking question: With so much high school pitching talent, will teams prioritize signing these prospects now, or will they risk waiting for the 2029 college class? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
