16. Rangers: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS, Parkland, Fla. (No. 8)
We had heard Rojas, the top high school arm – and best lefty – could go in the top 10. But when the Royals and Braves, the two spots that made the most sense, passed, it was unclear who would swoop in to take him. As storied a high school program as Stoneman Douglas is – Jesús Luzardo and Roman Anthony are among its alums – this is the school’s first first-rounder. Rojas has two plus pitches in his fastball and slider to go along with a solid changeup and good command. The Rangers last took a prep arm in the first round when they selected Cole Winn at No. 15 in 2018.
17. Astros: Logan Hughes, OF, Texas Tech (No. 42)
Hughes at #17 is a clear overslot pick.
2026 MLB Draft
Re: 2026 MLB Draft
17. Astros: Logan Hughes, OF, Texas Tech (No. 42)
We had mostly heard Hughes’ name later in the first round, or comp round, but the Astros like their bats – this is the seventh straight hitter Houston has taken when they’ve had a first-round pick. And Hughes can mash, with 37 homers over two years at Texas Tech after transferring from Stetson. The Astros have extra picks, one at 28, and they could save some money with this selection and use it later on to go aggressively after high-end talents who might be tougher signs.
18. Reds: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama (No. 9)
We had mostly heard Hughes’ name later in the first round, or comp round, but the Astros like their bats – this is the seventh straight hitter Houston has taken when they’ve had a first-round pick. And Hughes can mash, with 37 homers over two years at Texas Tech after transferring from Stetson. The Astros have extra picks, one at 28, and they could save some money with this selection and use it later on to go aggressively after high-end talents who might be tougher signs.
18. Reds: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama (No. 9)
Re: 2026 MLB Draft
18. Reds: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama (No. 9)
Lebron might have been the hardest player to pinpoint in the first round. There may not be a player, high school or college, with a more exciting collection of raw tools; that’s why we had him ranked in the top 10. But the emphasis is on raw. Lebron had severe swing-and-miss issues in 2025, and even though he got that in check this season, he still only hit .229 in SEC play. But he also hit 16 homers and stole 42 bases. This could be a very good value pick for the Reds, who are good at developing hitters.
19. Guardians: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida (No. 20)
Lebron might have been the hardest player to pinpoint in the first round. There may not be a player, high school or college, with a more exciting collection of raw tools; that’s why we had him ranked in the top 10. But the emphasis is on raw. Lebron had severe swing-and-miss issues in 2025, and even though he got that in check this season, he still only hit .229 in SEC play. But he also hit 16 homers and stole 42 bases. This could be a very good value pick for the Reds, who are good at developing hitters.
19. Guardians: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida (No. 20)
Re: 2026 MLB Draft
We're getting close to the Mariners pick at #24 and most of the college arms are still available.
Re: 2026 MLB Draft
19. Guardians: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida (No. 20)
It’s kind of crazy that this is just the second college pitcher to come off the board, but that is what the landscape looked like. From a pure stuff standpoint, Peterson belonged higher, with a fastball that can touch upper-90s, a plus slider, an under-utilized hammer curve and a solid changeup, all coming from a 6-foot-5 frame. But his overall command, and results, haven’t matched the pure stuff. The most recent pitcher the Guardians took in the first round was Gavin Williams in 2021.
20. Red Sox: Jake Schaffner, SS, North Carolina (No. 75)
It’s kind of crazy that this is just the second college pitcher to come off the board, but that is what the landscape looked like. From a pure stuff standpoint, Peterson belonged higher, with a fastball that can touch upper-90s, a plus slider, an under-utilized hammer curve and a solid changeup, all coming from a 6-foot-5 frame. But his overall command, and results, haven’t matched the pure stuff. The most recent pitcher the Guardians took in the first round was Gavin Williams in 2021.
20. Red Sox: Jake Schaffner, SS, North Carolina (No. 75)
Re: 2026 MLB Draft
Either one could be the pick. I don't think Reese plays 3rd base in the majors, so he's a first basemen or corner outfielder most likely.
Re: 2026 MLB Draft
20. Red Sox: Jake Schaffner, SS, North Carolina (No. 75)
This one took a lot of us by surprise. A transfer from North Dakota State, Schaffner had a very good year after coming to play for the Tar Heels, with a 1.019 OPS and 26 steals. He has excellent bat-to-ball skills with enough impact for the next level. Whether he sticks at short remains to be seen, with some thinking he moves to second base.
21. Padres: Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS, Fla. (No. 43)
22. Tigers: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina (No. 15)
Schaffner at #20 is clearly an overdraft, so look for the Red Sox to try and do something interesting in later rounds. Borthwick may be an overdraft as well.
This one took a lot of us by surprise. A transfer from North Dakota State, Schaffner had a very good year after coming to play for the Tar Heels, with a 1.019 OPS and 26 steals. He has excellent bat-to-ball skills with enough impact for the next level. Whether he sticks at short remains to be seen, with some thinking he moves to second base.
21. Padres: Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS, Fla. (No. 43)
22. Tigers: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina (No. 15)
Schaffner at #20 is clearly an overdraft, so look for the Red Sox to try and do something interesting in later rounds. Borthwick may be an overdraft as well.
