Jim Callis released the first official mock draft for the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft on May 8. The draft order and top prospects remain uncertain, with shortstops Roch Cholowsky from UCLA and Grady Emerson from Fort Worth Christian High School in Texas leading the class.
The mock draft matters as teams prepare for selections that could shape their rosters for years to come. Cholowsky is considered a strong candidate for the No. 1 pick by the Chicago White Sox, while Emerson is expected to go early as well. Vahn Lackey, a catcher from Georgia Tech, and Jackson Flora, a right-handed pitcher from UC Santa Barbara, are also highlighted among the top prospects.
According to Callis, “Shortstops Roch Cholowsky (UCLA) and Grady Emerson (Fort Worth Christian HS in Texas) have set themselves apart from the rest of the class.” He said that after these two players, there is no clear consensus among teams regarding other top picks. The second tier includes Lackey and Flora along with Jacob Lombard of Gulliver Prep in Miami and Justin Lebron of Alabama.
The article notes that high school hitters drop off quickly after Emerson, Lombard, and Eric Booth Jr., an outfielder from Oak Grove High School in Mississippi. While there is depth among college position players this year, many have not posted standout statistics this spring. “There’s depth with college position players,” Callis said, but added that those behind Cholowsky and Lackey have “obvious red flags” such as not hitting above .300 with metal bats this season.
College hitters and pitchers still have opportunities over two more weeks of regular season play plus conference tournaments to improve their standing before final decisions are made by teams ahead of July’s draft in Philadelphia during All-Star Week.
Looking ahead, observers expect further changes in projected first-round positions as more games are played before July 11 when the White Sox make their selection.
