Who will be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft?
MLB.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The 2026 MLB Draft begins on July 11, with the Chicago White Sox holding the first overall pick and deciding among three top prospects: Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey.
- Emerson and Cholowsky are considered the main contenders for the No. 1 pick, with Lackey viewed as a contingency option, despite being regarded as the best pure hitter in the draft class.
- Emerson is praised for his high ceiling and well-rounded skills but may take longer to reach the majors due to being a high school player with less proven track record.
- Cholowsky has a strong college performance history, including hitting 44 home runs over two seasons and being a natural leader, but some question whether he has fully met the high expectations.
- Lackey had an outstanding offensive college season and offers versatility as a catcher and potential third baseman, but he is generally considered a tier below Emerson and Cholowsky and might sign for less than the full slot value.
