Georgia Tech's Vahn Lackey Is Surging Up Draft Boards and the 2026 Class Just Got Clearer

We're halfway through the college and high school baseball seasons, and the picture for the 2026 MLB draft is finally coming into focus. Evaluators across the league are settling into consensus tiers, and when I'm talking to MLB crosscheckers and scouting directors, everyone's asking the same question: when's the first mock coming out? Well, here it is.

This year's class has a clear No. 1 player, followed by a pretty clear second-best prospect. After that? Things get interesting. Several college players and a handful of standout prep prospects are all jockeying for position in the top 10. The shuffling starts at pick No. 3, and that's where it gets messy.

The Top of the Draft is Still Tight

The Chicago White Sox are likely taking Roch Cholowsky, the shortstop from UCLA, at No. 1. But here's the thing: it's not a slam dunk yet. Almost everyone in baseball has the same report on Cholowsky, so this really comes down to what you think about Grady Emerson and whether he's a quick mover through the minors. Some evaluators think Emerson has higher upside, and if he also moves fast like Konnor Griffin, Jackson Holliday, or Kevin McGonigle did, he could look like a better prospect within a year. The White Sox had a big scouting contingent in to see Emerson this week, including GM Chris Getz. They're digging in on this decision.

The Rays and Twins Are Playing It Smart

Tampa Bay at No. 2 looks like they'll go with Emerson, based on the Rays' pick history and what the industry is saying about the first overall choice. But rival clubs think the Rays will seriously consider Vahn Lackey from Georgia Tech and Jackson Flora if they can get some bonus savings. Both are seen as players in the top group before things really open up.

Minnesota at No. 3 is likely looking at Lackey if Emerson is gone. There's still an empirical bias against pitchers at the top of the draft when talent looks similar between two players. Lackey has a slight edge over Flora for most evaluators, largely because of this. But Flora is also a common third- or fourth-ranked player on most boards.

The mini-mock covers the first 13 picks, and the rankings use the FV (future value) system to project where these college and high school players would rank if they turned pro right now. These grades will change and generally improve as we gain more information throughout the spring.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.