2026 MLB draft rankings 1.0: Top NCAA, high school prospects - ESPN

ESPN

by Kiley McDaniel

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The 2026 MLB Draft is shaping up to be one of the strongest classes in recent memory, with several top-tier prospects already making waves early in the college baseball season. Leading the charge are UCLA's Roch Cholowsky and Texas commit Grady Emerson, who are considered the top two draft candidates at this stage. Cholowsky, a 21-year-old shortstop, has been on fire this season, showcasing his power and offensive potential with a robust start that includes multiple home runs and an impressive 1.190 OPS from last year. His combination of solid defense, strong arm, and improving bat-to-ball skills make him a strong contender to be the first overall pick. Emerson, a 6-foot-2 left-handed shortstop from Fort Worth Christian High School, has been the top prep player in the 2026 class since early tracking began. Despite lacking the "plus-plus" tools of historical greats like Bobby Witt Jr., Emerson's advanced age, soft skills, and track record of success make him a formidable competitor to Cholowsky for the top spot. His potential as a plus hitter with power and the ability to stay at shortstop long-term could push him into the elite tier by draft day. Beyond the two leaders, the rest of the draft class is also impressing. College position players are particularly strong, with several prospects demonstrating high upside in both offense and defense. Collegiate pitchers, while solid overall, lack a few truly standout arms, though Jackson Flora's blazing start has caught attention. High school talent is equally robust, with players like Justin Lebron of Alabama and Drew Burress of Georgia Tech also making significant strides early in the season. The significance of this draft class lies in its depth and potential impact on Major League teams. With multiple elite prospects at the top and a strong pool of talent across positions, teams will be closely tracking these players' performances as the season progresses. The competition between Cholowsky and Emerson adds excitement, while

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/20/2026