Baseball America has published its first mock draft for the 2026 MLB Draft, projecting the top 40 picks with input from an anonymous scout. UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is projected as the No. 1 overall pick to the Washington Nationals, highlighting his strong early-season performance. The mock emphasizes player tiers and early scouting evaluations after four weeks of college baseball.
The 2026 MLB Mock Draft 1.0, released on March 9, 2026, by Baseball America draft expert Carlos Collazo, focuses on placing prospects into appropriate tiers rather than firm team connections at this early stage. Collazo collaborated with an anonymous industry scout, alternating picks: Collazo for odd numbers and the scout for even. This approach builds on last year's mock, which accurately projected 70% of the top 40 picks.
Roch Cholowsky, UCLA's shortstop, tops the list for the Nationals. He is hitting .315/.467/.833 with eight home runs through four weeks, showcasing excellent defense and four plus tools except for speed. Grady Emerson, a high school shortstop, follows to the Guardians as a polished hitter expected in the top five. Ethan Lebron, Tennessee's shortstop, goes third to the Cubs, noted for athleticism and tools but with volatility pending SEC performance.
The Giants select Jacob Lombard, a Florida prep shortstop, at No. 4, potentially making four straight shortstops to open the draft—a historical first. Vanderbilt left-hander Ethan Flora, with a 1.50 ERA and 28.3% strikeout rate in 24 innings, goes fifth to the Pirates. Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, slashing .348/.482/.576, is projected sixth to the Royals.
Later picks include Oklahoma third baseman Kade Reese (.406/.473/.750, four home runs) to the Orioles at seven; Texas A&M second baseman Ethan Hacopian, limited by back soreness to three games, to the Diamondbacks at eight; and Virginia outfielders Cam Gracia (.362/.519/.724, six home runs) and Ethan Becker to the Blue Jays and Rockies at nine and ten.
The mock continues through 40 picks, featuring prospects like Georgia Tech's Drew Burress and high school talents such as Jacob Lombard. It notes trends like shortstop depth and early pitcher evaluations, with teams like the Pirates showing risk tolerance in selections.
