2026 MLB Draft: MLB Pipeline releases Way-Too-Early mock draft

Right as an MLB Draft class comes to a close, another one opens up. Scouting for the 2026 MLB Draft has already begun, getting a look at some of the best college and high school players available.

To celebrate, MLB Pipeline has put together a way-too-early mock draft. Philadelphia will be the center of the Mid-Summer Classic next season, meaning plenty of lives will change from Citizens Bank Park.

Only the top 20 were included by MLB Pipeline, two more than what will eventually fill the MLB Draft Lottery. The Southsiders will have the first pick, getting the party started with a college shortstop/

1. Chicago White Sox – UCLA SS Roch Cholowsky

After not being eligible for the No. 1 overall spot this past year, MLB Pipeline puts the White Sox at the top. It’s the beginning of a nice shortstop run in the mock draft, going with Cholowsky out of the college ranks.

MLB Pipeline: “A true No. 1 overall pick candidate, Cholowsky is a major contributor on both sides of the ball. He’s an outstanding defender at shortstop and took a huge step forward at the plate during an All-American sophomore season.”

2. Atlanta Braves – Gulliver Prep (FL) SS Jacob Lombard

Preseason, not many people would have expected the Braves to be this high in the draft. While Atlanta expects to continue contention moving forward, may as well snag a potential game-changing prospect while down.

MLB Pipeline: “Lombard is a double-plus runner (he’s an elite athlete who has also excelled in soccer) with an outstanding right-handed swing that should enable him to hit for average and power.”

3. Minnesota Twins – Alabama SS Justin Lebron

MLB Pipeline believes there could be a battle between Cholowsky and Lebron to be the top college shortstop. For now, Lebron has some catching up to do entering his third season in Tuscaloosa.

MLB Pipeline: “He’s a tick behind Cholowsky on the college shortstop front, but not by much.”

4. Pittsburgh Pirates – Argyle (TX) SS Grady Emerson

Pittsburgh is an organization desperate for some high-end hitting in the organization. Emerson could be their guy, even if the developmental process will be a longer one.

MLB Pipeline: “He could be a plus hitter from the left side and has solid all-around skills, including clean actions and good arm strength from shortstop.”

5. Baltimore Orioles – Marjory Stoneman Douglas (FL) LHP Gio Rojas

Rojas comes out of the same high school that produced Jesús Luzardo. Baltimore is another team experiencing a disappointing 2025 relative to expectations, landing a great high school left-hander here.

MLB Pipeline: “Rojas has two plus pitches in his lively fastball up to 95 mph and his breaking ball, both of which he lands for strikes, as well as feel for a changeup.”

6. Kansas City Royals – LSU OF Derek Curiel

LSU players find their way into the top 10 on a yearly basis at this point. MLB Pipeline is excited to see Curiel enter his second season in Baton Rouge, specifically on the defensive end.

MLB Pipeline: “That sets the stage for what could be a huge Draft-eligible sophomore season, especially with a move to center field in the works, though he’ll still have to prove he can drive the ball.”

7. Athletics – Georgia Tech OF Drew Burress

Burress is a little bit of a do-it-all type player for LSU. His slugging % was nearly .700 and also found a way to steal 10 bases. The Athletics have a nice young core going already, potentially adding Burress into the group.

MLB Pipeline: “It’s an advanced bat with more thump than you’d expect from a 5-foot-9 hitter, giving off a little bit of a right-handed Sal Frelick vibe, but with more impact.”

8. Miami Marlins – Florida RHP Liam Peterson

Year 3 for Peterson in the Florida rotation could be a big one. Not too bad of a draft slot for him either, heading just a little South to get his professional career underway.

MLB Pipeline: “Expect another jump forward for the 6-foot-5 right-hander who has a fastball that sits 95-96 mph and touches 99. He also has the ability to miss bats with both a mid-80s slider and changeup.”

9. Cleveland Guardians – Virginia OF AJ Garcia

A recent addition out of the NCAA transfer portal for Virginia, Garcia follows his head coach over from Duke. Based on their evaluation, MLB Pipeline might enjoy a little more power coming from Garcia’s bat.

MLB Pipeline: “He’s a 6-foot-3 left-handed hitter who shook off a slow start to his sophomore season and finished with 15 homers after hitting 14 his freshman year.”

10. Colorado Rockies – Coastal Carolina RHP Cameron Flukey

Flukey made a name for himself in Omaha this past season. Colorado can be a nightmare for pitchers at times but the Rockies do not appear afraid to take their chances with guys.

MLB Pipeline: “Anyone who saw Flukey go toe-to-toe with LSU’s Kade Anderson in the College World Series put him on the 2026 first-round radar immediately.”

MLB Pipeline way-too-early ’26 mock draft: Nos. 11-20

11. Washington Nationals – Edmond Santa Fe (OK) RHP Savion Sims
12. Arizona Diamondbacks – De La Salle (CA) SS Tyler Spangler
13. Los Angeles Angels – Texas A&M SS Chris Hacopian
14. Texas Rangers – Trinity Christian Academy (FL) OF Brady Harris
15. Cincinnati Reds – Jackson Prep (MS) OF/RHP Kevin Roberts
16. Tampa Bay Rays – Texas A&M 3B Gavin Grahovac
17. St. Louis Cardinals – Missouri State OF Caden Bogenpohl
18. San Francisco Giants – Keller (TX) SS/RHP Cole Koeninger
19. Seattle Mariners – Santa Barbara RHP Jackson Flora
20. Boston Red Sox – RHP Joey Volchko (currently in NCAA transfer portal)