Zach Thornton to pitch Sunday, but starting still up in air
There was a locker in the Mets’ clubhouse for the left-hander, but Thornton might not be the starter for the team’s final game before the All-Star break.
“He is definitely going to figure into the mix,” Green said when asked directly if the 24-year-old would be the starter.
“There’s no determination on what that role exactly is at this present moment,” he continued. “He will figure into our mix at some point tomorrow.”
Asked about his development and readiness to contribute at this level, the interim skipper said that the “things that you love about the guys that have shown [success] up here, he has [that] within him.”
“He’s unafraid, he’s gonna give you what he’s got, he’s gonna step on the mound, and he’s gonna be aggressive,” Green said of Thornton. “Most days he’s gonna fill up the strike zone and he’s gonna attack.
“He had a really good response against Philly, gave up three pretty hard missiles to start that game and then shut them down through the remainder of that game. That’s who I believe him to be. That’s who he is.”
Green added that the Mets have “high hopes for what he can become and not gonna put a limit on where that ultimately will be in the rotation.”
“We think he’s the type of guy that will find a way to exceed every expectation of him,” he continued. “We’re excited to get him into the mix tomorrow; it was a tough time we had to option him from kind of a roster constraint perspective last time.”
In his new role working in relief, Senga delivered a nine-pitch clean inning on Friday night. Could that be a new spot for the former starter rather than pitching bulk innings from the bullpen?
“It’s obviously something that he’s unaccustomed to, so we have to see how he responds to those types of opportunities,” Green said.
Of course, the prospects of Senga’s stuff coming in for a lone inning late in games is attractive.
“You tell me somebody throws a four-seam fastball 97-99 [mph], has a wipeout forkball, like, yes, that can be a back-end piece,” the interim manager said. “Now can you handle the difference in the programming that comes with short bursts out of the ‘pen? We’ll learn that in time.
“I think Kodai has the chance to be an elite starter and an elite back-end piece. His role over the last several weeks has been necessitated by our needs; we’ve had to put him in a place where we’ve needed him, which has largely been lengthy.”
Friday’s appearance was the first chance the Mets got to give him a look in a “one-inning burst,” Green said.
In four appearances as a reliever, Senga has a 5.40 ERA over 11.2 innings, surrendering seven runs on 11 hits (three homers, two doubles)with five walks to 13 strikeouts.
You could just sense the value that Trevor Condon brings to a baseball team.
Whether it was delivering in the clutch, making a highlight-reel play in the field or doing the little things that don't always show up in the box score, Condon developed a reputation as the type of player every coach wants in the lineup. His blend of athleticism, instincts and leadership helped transform him into one of the country's top MLB Draft prospects.
“He works his ass off,” Giants manager Tony Vitello, who recruited Condon to Tennessee, told MLB.com. “Just his mentality about the 24 hours that are in a day is super impressive. Trevor's the same guy all the time – super confident, super energetic.”
Condon was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, surrounded by family and friends. Condon becomes the first draft pick from Etowah (Ga.) since Sawyer Gipson-Long was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins.
Here's a more in-depth look at Condon, and his journey from the Atlanta metro area to St. Louis.
Trevor Condon: Pete-Crow Armstrong 2.0?
Between his contagious energy, his defense, his speed and his impressive bat skills, Condon is very reminiscent of Pete Crow-Armstrong in more ways than one.
The Gatorade Georgia High School Player of the Year raked in his senior season, hitting .504 with 9 home runs and 42 RBI, helping the Eagles to a 33-7 record and a GHSA Class 6A title. While the swing is slightly unconventional like Crow-Armstrong's was, his decision-making is well above average and sprays the ball from foul line to foul line with solid contact.
Couple that in with his 70-graded speed, and Condon's poised to become a solid leadoff hitter along with an everyday center fielder for the foreseeable future, with plenty of potential to become something special in the Major Leagues.
While they do share the same last name, Condon has no relation to fellow Georgian and Colorado Rockie Charlie Condon, who attended The Walker School and starred at the University of Georgia.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
CORAL GABLES - MAY 09: Louisville outfielder Zion Rose (32) runs to first base in the fifth inning as the Miami Hurricanes faced the Louisville Cardinals on May 9, 2026, at Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables, FL. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the sixth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Kansas City Royals selected Zion Rose, a right-handed outfielder from the University of Louisville.
Measuring 6’ 1” and 200 lbs, Rose is primarily a left fielder and swings a potent bat. Rose was injured to begin his junior year at Louisville, but he roared back to slash .417/.491/.646 with six home runs and an 11.0% walk rate against an 8.7% strikeout rate in 173 plate appearances.
Rose was not the best player on the board with the sixth overall pick per aggregate rankings; ESPN, The Athletic, Fangraphs, and MLB.com all had Zion between the 17th and 30th overall range. However, with how the bonus pool structure works and with the Royals also owning the 30th overall pick, it seems likely that Rose will sign for underslot value and Kansas City will get somebody—maybe a high schooler—for overslot value with the 30th pick.
Rose can flat-out hit, and if he hadn’t missed almost half of the spring with an ankle injury, I think he’d be a top 15 pick. The Louisville junior hit .417/.491/.646 in 36 games — nearly all of it in ACC play — after returning from the injury, moving between center field and left field. He looked better in center than expected, though the corner is still the more likely outcome. He has excellent hand-eye coordination and bat speed, whiffing just 10 percent on fastballs this year, and 23 percent on everything else combined, and rarely chases outside the zone until he gets to two strikes. He does land slightly open and doesn’t pull the ball to the outfield as much as he should, which also means there’s some power upside here (with a 90th percentile EV of 104.6 mph, putting him well above the median) with what appear to be minor adjustments. He was a top 100 prospect out of high school, as a catcher at IMG Academy, but went undrafted due to his strong commitment to Louisville.
Rose is a physical right-handed hitter whose bat speed and strength produce high exit velocities and power that plays from foul pole to foul pole. He has advanced bat-to-ball skills, though his tendency to chase pitches cuts into his walk totals and leads to more groundball contact than is desired. He focuses on driving balls from gap to gap and could maximize his plus raw power if he pulls more pitches and drives them in the air more frequently.
Rose is faster than most 6-foot-1, 200-pounders, showing solid run times out of the batter’s box and flashing well-above-average speed on stolen-base attempts. Despite his quickness, he’s at best a fringy defender in left field with arm strength to match. His bat should provide enough offense for him to profile as a regular there, and he has the intensity and work ethic to get the most out of his talents.
He is one of the more interesting college hitters in this draft because despite being as physically mature as any prospect, he has projection on both sides of the ball. Currently a left fielder, there’s the possibility that Rose could return to catching (unlikely) or that, as a comfortably plus runner, he might be able to shift to center field in pro ball. Though he isn’t the most comfortable-looking outfielder, he definitely has the pure speed to play center, and Rose has been lauded for his makeup and work ethic since he was in high school, and seems to be the sort of person who is likely to max out their talent.
The other aspect of Rose’s profile that might shift in pro ball is his style of contact. He is a burly, short-levered contact hitter who is exceptionally short to the ball, but an inordinate amount of his contact is sliced down the right field line. Unlike a lot of other hitters for whom this is true, Rose doesn’t have a noisy, elaborate load, nor does he have scary splits against good velocity; he had a .974 OPS against fastballs 94 mph and above combined across 2025 and 2026, including during summer ball with wood bats. Ideally he can be made more on time to pull so that he can access more of his modest-but-relevant power. If it turns out Rose can’t play center field, then he’s going to be a lower-impact player in a corner, but if he can, then he might have the hit/power combo to be an average everyday performer.
Initial pick reactions
The Kansas City Royals with even a bigger surprise with OF Zion Rose
— College Baseball Archives (@collegeplayers9) July 11, 2026
With the 6th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Kansas City Royals select OF Zion Rose from Louisville. MLB Pipeline’s 30th ranked prospect in the class, here are his scouting grades:
LOL I could have a list of 15 guys the Royals might choose at #6 and Zion Rose wouldn't be on it.
This is an under-slot pick, obviously; the Royals have a lot of money to play with at #30 and beyond. Good thing I trust Brian Bridges. This pick definitely requires a lot of it. https://t.co/UstDQGx8At
The White Sox added a potential cornerstone player by selecting UCLA shortstop Daniel Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft, with the toss-up between Cholowsky and prep SS Grady Emerson lasting deep into Saturday morning. But word broke from MLB’s Jim Callis right before the pick announcement that Cholowsky — the presumptive No. 1 since the end of the 2025 draft — would join the White Sox. Minutes later, commissioner Rob Manfred made it official, welcoming Rob “Cha-lew-sky” (sic) to Chicago.
In doing so, Cholowsky becomes just the third college shortstop ever selected first overall, joining Bill Almon (1974) and Dansby Swanson (2015). Although neither player went on to a Hall of Fame career, that’s rare company, and another indication of just how highly Cholowsky is regarded.
“Drafting Roch today adds another standout talent and person of impressive character to this organization at absolutely the right time,” GM Chris Getz said in a press release announcing the pick. “Roch, his family and his support structure impressed us throughout the entire process, and his experience at UCLA certainly prepared him to take the next step as a professional. An outstanding defensive shortstop, Roch brings an impact bat to any lineup, and he is a leader on the field as well as in the clubhouse. He has more than lived up to very high expectations, and we cannot wait to get him into our organization, get started and see him continue his growth and success.”
Cholowsky is now the fifth UCLA player selected No. 1 overall in a pro draft, a group that includes Gerrit Cole, Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and Troy Aikman.
For an organization that has emphasized athleticism — especially up the middle — at premium defensive positions and high baseball IQ throughout its rebuild, picking Cholowsky made perfect sense. Rather than drafting for immediate need, the White Sox would be staying true to their philosophy of taking the best player available. They were also high on Cholowsky coming out of high school, when even then he was ranked as the No. 44 MLB draft prospect. As Chicago had scouted Cholowsky extensively ahead of the 2023 draft, this has been a relationship years in the making.
The relationship is strong enough that within an hour of the pick being made, Cholowsky had agreed to a deal with the White Sox. To no one’s surprise, the shortstop is signing for less that the max $11,350,600 allotted at No. 1 overall. Early word seems to be $9.5 million, money that will likely trickle down to the next two White Sox picks (No. 34 and 41) to pry them from colleges or college commitments.
As the draft came closer, some of the conversation for No. 1 overall shifted to the other prime prospects, Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey and Emerson. That turned out to be a case of overall draft fatigue and prospect evaluators rationalizing their professions, as Cholowsky has been at or near No. 1 overall in mock drafts for essentially a solid year now. The right-handed hitter entered the spring with a reputation for elite bat-to-ball skills and polished defense, then strengthened his case by continuing to produce throughout the 2026 season.
MLB had Cholowsky as the No. 2 overall talent in the draft, behind Emerson.
Cholowsky as Chicago’s pick indicates the White Sox went with the prospect many evaluators considered the most complete position player in the class. Cholowsky offers an advanced offensive approach, dependable defense at shortstop, and the kind of all-around game that gives him both a high floor and an equally enticing ceiling.
For Cholowsky, baseball has always been a way of life: His father, Dan, was a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 1991 and spent eight seasons in professional baseball before becoming a major league scout. That familial background helped shape one of the most polished players in the draft, giving Cholowsky an advanced feel for the game long before he arrived on a college campus.
The 6´2´´, 202-pound Arizona native arrived at UCLA as one of the nation’s top prep recruits and quickly became the centerpiece of the Bruins lineup. Over the next three seasons, he developed from a polished contact hitter into one of college baseball’s most complete players, combining consistent production with elite defense at shortstop. As a junior, the 21-year-old slashed .320/.452/.636 with 21 home runs and was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. He closed out his UCLA career with a .329/.447/.624 slash line, along with 52 home runs over 178 career games, and was one of the NCAA’s premier defensive shortstops (finishing his final season with 15.3 defensive runs saved).
What stands out most about Cholowsky isn’t one loud tool — it’s the completeness of the package. MLB Pipeline gives him at least a 60 grade in four of the five major scouting categories, including his hit, power, arm, and field tools, resulting in a 65 overall. He controls the strike zone, rarely gives away an at-bat, and consistently squares up the baseball. As he’s added strength throughout his amateur career, the power has come naturally without sacrificing the disciplined approach that made Cholowsky successful in the first place. If that profile sounds familiar, it should: It’s the blueprint for the type of hitter GM Chris Getz and his front office have prioritized throughout the rebuild.
Defensively, Cholowsky has every opportunity to remain at shortstop as a professional. His smooth actions, reliable hands, instincts and above-average arm have long drawn praise from scouts. While he won’t wow anyone with top-of-the-scale speed, his feel for the position allows him to make difficult plays look routine.
Cholowsky joins an emerging young core that already includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Noah Schultz and Grant Taylor, giving Chicago yet another premium talent to build around. Given Colson’s seemingly inevitable move to third base, selecting Cholowsky doesn’t create a clog on the roster or in the lineup.
There aren’t many White Sox fans in Philadelphia, but we tracked down Patrick Shearer, a city native but longtime South Side fan — and he was over the moon.
“Very excited about Roch, so excited,” he says. “He was my wire-to-wire No. 1. He’s very impressive with the glove. This could be a game-changer.”
Cholowsky should begin his professional career shortly after signing, with a token Winston-Salem assignment likely coming later this summer. (Cholowsky is considered “MLB-ready,” and would not be out of place as one of the two White Sox September call-ups.) Because of his advanced offensive approach, defensive polish, and experience against some high-level collegiate competition, almost assuredly, he will move through the White Sox system more quickly than the typical first-round pick.
Cholowsky arrives in Chicago with one of the most polished résumés in the 2026 draft class. If his college success can carry over to professional baseball, the White Sox will have found another foundational piece for its next championship-caliber club.
Big league clubs love left-handers. That means they'll love Jared Grindlinger and what he has to offer.
Originally a 2027 graduate, Grindlinger bet on himself and reclassified up a year as a legitimate two-way threat, with an arsenal that includes a fastball, changeup, slider and sweeper from a herky-jerky windup with a three-quarter arm slot. He can also rake too.
Grindlinger was selected with the 12th overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels, making him the 35th player from Huntington Beach (Calif.) to be selected in the draft. He was selected as an outfielder, making this an interesting pick for the Halos.
Here's a look at Grindlinger and the versatility he'll bring to the next level just down the road in Anaheim.
Jared Grindlinger has plenty of upside and potential
Grindlinger hit .376 with 14 extra-base hits on a team-high 41 hits, scoring 26 runs while striking out just twice in 109 at-bats this season. He owns a hit grade of 50 on MLB.com, along with power and run grades of 40.
Should hitting not work out, Grindlinger could make the switch to the mound. While he doesn't have overpowering velocity on his fastball, multiple clubs have been fascinated with his frame at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, along with the fact he just turned 17 years old in April, making him one of the youngest players in the class.
With Huntington Beach, Grindlinger was 6-0 with a 0.85 ERA, striking out 66 over 57 1/3 innings. His OBA was .157, as teams often struggled to find a rhythm against him from the left-handed side but did make contact more often than not.
When evaluating his older brother Trent, scouts got a look at Jared, which led to a commitment to the University of Tennessee in April of this year. There's a chance he ends up in Knoxville to play with his older brother again, but those odds are slim with the Halos taking him at No. 12.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: A view of the draft board prior to the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft at L.A. Live on Sunday, July 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This tracker will be updated as soon as possible after the Orioles make their picks across the two days of the draft. Day 1 of the draft will go through the fourth round. Day 2 will race through rounds 5-20. The Orioles have a total of 20 picks, one in each round without any bonus picks this time around.
If you are looking to comment on draft picks as they are being made, go here instead.
Orioles Draft Picks
1st round, 7th overall – Eric Booth Jr. – OF – Oak Grove (Miss.) HS (article)
KentuckyÕs Tyler Bell (6) scores a run during a NCAA baseball game against Georgia on March 14, 2025. | Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tyler Bell is officially headed to professional baseball.
The former Kentucky Wildcats standout heard his name called by the Colorado Rockies with the 10th overall selection of the 2026 MLB Draft after two outstanding seasons in Lexington, where he developed into one of college baseball’s top all-around players.
After turning down second-round money from the Tampa Bay Rays out of high school in 2024, the talented shortstop bet on himself by enrolling at Kentucky, which was a decision that helped him become a first-round talent.
Now, the Rockies are getting a player capable of making an impact on both sides of the ball.
A polished switch-hitter
Bell’s offensive game is built around consistency and versatility. The switch-hitting infielder combines excellent bat-to-ball skills with developing power, while also showing discipline at the plate that allows him to reach base at a high rate.
Despite playing through a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder during the 2026 season, Bell batted .343 with nine home runs, 49 hits, 49 runs scored, 29 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and a remarkable .510 on-base percentage.
Scouts also love his ability to hit from both sides of the plate. Bell stays within his game and has consistently produced against elite SEC pitching. His ability to make adjustments during at-bats should allow him to move quickly through a professional farm system.
Elite defensive instincts
While his bat attracts plenty of attention, Bell’s defense may be just as valuable.
The natural shortstop has great footwork and a strong arm that allows him to make difficult throws from multiple angles. His athleticism also helps so he can play several infield positions if needed, though shortstop is expected to remain his long-term home.
Bell displays the type of defensive awareness that many teams are looking for by anticipating plays well and taking smart angles to the baseball.
Big-game experience
Bell has consistently performed against elite competition.
He earned Freshman All-America honors in 2025 before being named First Team All-SEC and First Team All-Region in 2026. He also represented Team USA with the Collegiate National Team and starred in the Cape Cod League, showing that he can compete against the nation’s best talent.
During his time at Kentucky, he helped to lead multiple postseason runs while becoming one of the most respected players in the SEC. That experience should ease the transition to professional baseball.
A high ceiling
Bell’s maturity has impressed scouts just as much as his talent. He declined a lucrative professional contract out of high school to attend Kentucky, a move that significantly boosted his draft stock. Even after suffering a shoulder injury early this season, he returned to the lineup and helped lead the Wildcats back to NCAA Regional play.
Although shoulder surgery is expected to delay the start of his professional career, Bell has all the tools organizations covet: a switch-hitting bat, premium defensive ability, athleticism, baseball IQ, leadership, and a relentless competitive mindset.
For the Rockies, they will see a bright future in an infielder who looks poised to have a successful playing career in the MLB.
Kentucky fans were able to watch him develop into a star while in college, but now he will have the opportunity to translate his skills to the MLB.
After weeks of mock drafts sending Vahn Lackey to Minnesota, there are no surprises on draft day. Expect his signing bonus to end up close to the $9.74 million slot value. The right-handed catcher from Georgia Tech is the first catcher the Twins have selected in the first round since Joe Mauer and is well-regarded in his positive personality and love for the game. He just turned 21 less than a week before being drafted and has developed into a very well-rounded prospect throughout his time as a Yellow Jacket. He is the #3 ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline and #1 on Fangraphs.
Lackey has always been highly touted for his defense. He is an excellent athlete behind the dish, possessing impressive lateral movement skills. His blocking is advanced, and he has a rocket arm with a lightning-quick pop time. He is already looking polished as a catcher and is expected to be an asset behind the dish, but has also worked as a third baseman and has the tools to do some quality work there as well.
The bat is what has really thrust Vahn Lackey into this range of the draft, making monumental development throughout college. Lackey batted .397 with a 1.291 OPS and 20 homers in 2026 while tallying 50 walks and 38 strikeouts. The hit tool is looking borderline plus so far, but there is some cause for concern with his big leg kick and stride out in his load. His has powerful and controlled hands allow him to get on fastballs consistently. With the long load, there are some questions about his ability to adjust to offspeed, but improved swing decisions and a more patient approach have improved his success against those pitches. He has plus raw power potential, which he really tapped into in 2026, hitting 20 homers and slugging .772.
As a well-rounded hitter with big defensive potential behind the dish, there is significant value in Lackey and plenty of promise for further development given how much improvement we have seen over the last few years. He joins top 100 prospect Eduardo Tait in the Twins system, along with Enrique Jimenez, Khadim Diaw, and Miguel Caraballo, creating an elite group of catching prospects amid the uncertainty about Ryan Jeffers’ future in Minnesota. Nothing is guarenteed when it comes to prospects, but it doesn’t get much more exciting than Vahn Lackey!
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 09: General Manager Mike Elias of the Baltimore Orioles watches the Orioles Hall of Fame ceremony before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 09, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles have kicked off their 2026 draft class by choosing a talented high school outfielder, Eric Booth Jr. from Mississippi. The lefty-batting Vanderbilt commit is almost certainly not going to go to college now. This was one of the top five or six players in the draft class and the Orioles got him at 7. For now, that looks like a win.
There are exciting words to be found in scouting reports on Booth, praising his speed, his contact ability, his potential to develop into a 20-25 home run hitter who can steal a lot of bases and play a solid center field. The Orioles are surely imagining that is the outcome they will be able to develop out of Booth, or else they would have chosen someone else.
There are also concerning words to be found in scouting reports on Booth, particularly regarding his swing. This is from FanGraphs on Booth. Keep in mind, this site liked Booth: He was the #6 prospect on their board, with an up arrow as the draft approached. Even so, this is what they said about him:
Booth is a unique, fascinating, and difficult-to-parse prospect, with premium tools and a very strange swing that might not enable him to hit as it is currently constituted. … Booth is one of the more exciting and volatile prospects in this draft, and his future might be dictated by who picks him up, as a team with good player development might turn him into a top-of-the-order monster.
I emphasized the bolded passage because that’s apparently what it’s going to come down to on whether this guy is successful in the Orioles organization. Can they make the weird swing into a productive swing? The recent track record of the Orioles developing hitters does not leave me feeling positive about this. Outside of three solid picks among their top two in 2019 and 2020 – Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg – they have been floundering in trying to develop players into stars or even solid regulars.
Even the three success stories have had their own hiccups without delivering consistent quality play. But then there’s the likes of Heston Kjerstad Coby Mayo, Colton Cowser, Jackson Holliday, Dylan Beavers, and others who have yet to make it out of the minors who have fizzled beyond what the Orioles hoped in taking them. They are going to have to do better with Booth.
This is how the board played out before the Orioles made their pick:
White Sox – Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
Rays – Grady Emerson, SS, Tex. HS
Twins – Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
Giants – Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Pirates – Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
Royals – Zion Rose, OF, Louisville
There were some indications in the final wave of mock drafts from prospect writers that the Orioles might actually take a pitcher if Flora fell to them at #7. We will never know if Mike Elias would have actually grabbed a pitcher with his top pick if Flora had been available.
The draft board ahead of the Orioles played out in such a way that they had their pick of players who were generally thought to be in the top six or so of draft prospects in this class. Curiel and Rose were consensus reach picks by those teams, possibly to set up overslot strategies later in the draft. That gave the Orioles the opportunity for any of Booth, high school shortstop Jacob Lombard, or Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, the 5-6-7 players on MLB Pipeline’s draft board.
The slot value that the Orioles have in their pool from this pick is $7,327,200. This pick is looking like it’s going to be a slot pick without much funny business. Booth was generally ranked 5th or 6th in prospect rankings. He fell by maybe one or two slots to make it to the Orioles. Those guys usually get pretty close to the slot value. The O’s don’t have enough picks to do anything creative.
I feel better about this pick than I would have done if the Orioles had chosen either Lombard or Burress. Lombard came with even bigger “is this guy actually going to hit?” questions than Booth does, and Burress seemed like the kind of pick that everyone would agree was perfectly safe but would have proven disappointing in the end. It’s tough to hit on MLB draft picks, even when you are picking at 7.
How are you feeling about this pick? Vote in our poll below:
The Orioles do not select again until pick #46 in the second round. A lot of good talent is going to come off the board in between their picks. Hopefully, the Orioles make the most of Booth so we don’t have to regret that they didn’t pick someone else.
Apr 28, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns (26) during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Chase Burns has been, quite simply, one of the best pitchers on the planet so far in 2026. Through 102.2 IP, he has struck out 118 against just 37 walks, pitching to a 2.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP for the Cincinnati Reds.
That was more than enough for him to earn his way onto the All Star Game roster for the National League, and the fact that he last pitched on Wednesday meant that he’d likely be more than just a figurehead in the dugout there – he’d actually be rested enough to pitch.
Turns out that won’t actually happen, however. As MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed on Saturday afternoon, the Reds say Burns won’t pitch after all. Los Angeles Dodgers starter Justin Wrobleski has been named as his replacement for the Midsummer Classic.
There’s also the issue of Burns having tweaked his groin a bit after a wild pitch in his most recent start, something he wants to give max rest to while the Reds are on their break.
With the return of Hunter Greene and the presence of Rhett Lowder, now in the bullpen, the Reds are going to have to begin to manage the pitches and innings on Burns’ prized right arm if he’s to still be available in any capacity down the stretch. This sure seems to be an easy way to buy him roughly two weeks off in the middle of the year, and it’s going to have positive repercussions down the road. Burns threw a career-high 106 pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies the last time out, and the Reds had already announced he’d be 5th out of the gate in the season’s second half, per WLWT’s Charlie Clifford.
Reds starting rotation coming out of the break:
Singer Lodolo Abbott Greene Burns
No determination yet on what the immediate plan will be on Rhett Lowder. They like how he’s throwing right now in the pen.
BATON ROUGE, LA - APRIL 19: LSU Tigers outfielder Derek Curiel (6) bats during a game between the LSU Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies on April 19, 2026, at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates had the fifth overall pick this afternoon in the 2026 MLB Draft, and they took LSU outfielder Derek Curiel. Curiel had been rising up draft boards, and was gaining buzz as a potential top five pick heading into the weekend. For what it’s worth, ESPN had Curiel going seventh overall in their final mock.
Regarded as one of the best hitters in the draft, Curiel hit .353 last season at LSU over 58 games. He added 6 homers and 46 RBIs. He an OBP of .431, a slugging percentage of .526, and an OPS of .957. He also stole 13 bases. There are question around how far he can go in the power department, though the bat skills are certainly there.
“Curiel projected as a potential first-rounder early in his career at powerhouse Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS, but he didn’t perform as hoped in his final showcase summer or senior season. He withdrew from the 2024 Draft and headed to Louisiana State, where he was the leading hitter (.345/.470/.519) on a College World Series championship team as a freshman and batted .390 in the NCAA tournament. Draft-eligible as a sophomore in 2026, he’s posting similar numbers and proving that he can play center field.
A lean left-handed hitter with excellent bat-to-ball skills, Curiel uses a fluid stroke and mature approach to spray hard line drives all over the field. His swing is somewhat flat and he may not have more than average strength or bat speed, so he might not deliver more than 12-15 homers per season. He resembles Christian Yelich at the same age, though scouts are skeptical that Curiel can match the power gains Yelich made later in his career.
While scouts debate how much pop Curiel will have, there are fewer concerns about his ability to stay in center field. Though he played left field as a freshman, he has solid speed and looks more comfortable tracking balls up the middle. His arm is fringy but playable in center.“
ESPN’s opinion
“Who is Curiel? A draft-eligible sophomore after starring for two years in Baton Rouge, where he hit .345 as a freshman and then .353, with the ability to hit upper-end velocity. While his speed is only a tick above average, he has excellent instincts in center field and should be able to stick there. The question is how much upside there is in the power department. He hit 13 home runs across his two seasons for LSU and was way down the OPS leaderboard in conference play in the SEC. He’s 6-2 and lean, so there is projectable power.
Why the Pirates took him here: There was a lot of talk about upside high schoolers Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. here, but the Pirates opted for the high floor of SEC performer Curiel. As an outfielder who should make it to Pittsburgh quickly, the Bucs landed a player who should help at a position of need. The ultimate question is if Curiel will hit with enough pop at such an early pick, but the ingredients for a productive major league starter are there. “
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - MAY 12, 2026: AJ Gracia #29 of the University of Virginia Cavaliers hits a home run during the second inning of a game against the University of Richmond Spiders at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park on May 12, 2026 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
With the ninth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Atlanta Braves have selected Virginia outfielder AJ Gracia. Gracia has been a very productive player over the past three seasons, and is a player who should be able to hit for both average and power at the next level.
Bio
Name: AJ Gracia
Position: Outfielder
Hometown: Tinton Falls, NJ (Ranney School HS)
School: Virginia
Height: 6’3
Weight: 195
Bats/Throws: L/L
Previously Drafted: N/A
AJ Gracia truly loves multi-HR games.
He had a 3-HR game in Conway in February and now he's got a pair tonight, including this majestic moonshot that still hasn't landed. This is a big name to keep an eye on for the next couple of years in the ACC. He'll be eligible in 2026. pic.twitter.com/GRTKCRL1VQ
2024: .305/.440/.559, 14 2B, 14 HR, 58 RBI, 5-6 SB, 48 BB, 55 K in 278 PA at Duke
2024: .267/.421/.467, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1-1 SB, 4 BB, 4 K in 19 PA over 6 games in Cape Cod League
2025: .293/.449/.558, 10 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 54 RBI, 8-9 SB, 57 BB, 36 K in 285 PA at Duke
2026: .354/.489/.632, 15 2B, 1 3B, 14 HR, 48 RBI, 4-6 SB, 47 BB, 38 K in 272 PA at Virginia
Analytics Percentiles
2024: Whiff 69 , In Zone Whiff 50, Out of Zone Whiff 77, Chase 94, Strikeout 44, Walk 93, Exit Velocity 89, 90th Percentile Exit Velocity 83, Barrel 87, xWOBA 96
2025: Whiff 90 , In Zone Whiff 68, Out of Zone Whiff 95, Chase 93, Strikeout 82, Walk 98, Exit Velocity 85, 90th Percentile Exit Velocity 83, Barrel 91, Pull Air % 73, xWOBA 99
2026: Whiff 79 , In Zone Whiff 87, Out of Zone Whiff 71, Chase 69, Strikeout 80, Walk 95, Exit Velocity 79, 90th Percentile Exit Velocity 68, Barrel 92, Pull Air % 70, xWOBA 94
Another 1st round prospect, AJ Gracia turns around 95 for a 110 EV double, scores Eric Becker who had walked. 10-2 Louisville.
Gracia is about as polished as any college hitter I've seen in many years. Good balance, easy stroke w/ lift and pop.@PB_DraftHQpic.twitter.com/p63Ofmm7Ii
Gracia’s best tool is his hit tool. He’s an excellent pure hitter in that he not only consistently makes contact, limits swing and miss, and chasing, but he also consistently puts the barrel on the ball and is one of the most patient hitters in the draft. If there is a complaint about his hit tool, it would be that he can be a bit too patient at times. This is an easy above average grade, and I can actually see it becoming a plus hit tool considering he has already shown a strong aptitude for making changes to his swing during his college career.
Power 55
Gracia is likely going to have plus raw power, especially when you factor in the fact that he still has plenty of room to fill out his body. The only thing about his offensive profile that causes concern is the fact that he has underwhelming exit velocity data this year – something you wouldn’t expect when looking at his hit tool, size, and past success with exit velocities. I tend to think that is related to his approach and leaving some of his power on the table as he focuses on making contact instead of something that I am worried about.
Speed 45
Gracia is a fringy runner, though there is some chance he could slow down a bit in the coming years as he fills in his body further. He’s not a burner on the bases, but he is a guy with the instincts to steal the occasional bag.
Glove 50
Gracia is a solid average defender. He’s played mostly center in college, but most believe he will eventually need to move to the corner as a pro. He only has fringy grades for both his speed and arm, making him a tough profile in right. That means he is likely a future left fielder, which will add a little pressure to his bat.
Arm 45
Gracia is a fringy arm strength guy. It doesn’t work ideally in right, but it should be enough to handle left
Overall Thoughts
I have to admit I love Gracia as a prospect. His buttery smooth left handed swing and the ability to hit for both average and power reminds me of a young Kyle Tucker – at least offensively. I am not at all concerned about the lower than expected exit velocity data from this year, especially because he has done a better job with it in past years and because he has room to add more strength.
Gracia has an All Star ceiling because of his bat, and he is also a high floor player because of his advanced hit tool. He is likely to start in High-A and could be up to Double-A by some point in the 2027 season. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if he was among the first guys in this to reach the big leagues. Bringing his power out into games more consistently will be his biggest thing to work on, but getting a player with this kind of upside is huge.
Apr 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) celebrates in the dugout after the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski turns 26 years on on Tuesday, and he’ll have even more reason to celebrate since he’s headed to Philadelphia as part of the National League All-Star team. Wrobleski was added to the team on Saturday as a replacement for Reds pitcher Chase Burns, who won’t be available to pitch on Tuesday.
It’s been a breakout season for Wrobleski, who thrived in a hybrid role in parts of the last two years in the majors. He has a 2.69 ERA and 4.12 xERA in 16 games, including 15 starts, with 73 strikeouts and 20 walks in 100 1/3 innings. After a bulk relief appearance in his season debut on March 30, Wrobleski ranks third in the majors by averaging 6.42 innings per start, and ranks 12th in ERA.
“You want to be an All-Star,” Wrobleski said. “It’s something that, regardless of the year, whenever, it’s always a big deal. It’s something I wanted to do. It’s frustrating to not get that nod.”
Now that Wrobleski got the nod, he joins select company, just the fifth Dodgers starting pitcher in their age-25 season or younger this century to make the All-Star team.
Dodgers SP All-Stars, age-25 season or younger, 21st century
Wrobleski is the sixth Dodgers player named an All-Star this season. Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Andy Pages are all in the starting lineup with Roberts managing. Shohei Ohtani was also voted to start at designated hitter but he’ll rest instead, getting treatment on his left knee after getting scratched from his Friday pitching start. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who starts for the Dodgers on Saturday night, was also named an All-Star.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Outfielder Drew Burress #8 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets leads off first base during the Spring Classic college baseball game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on April 15, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the 8th overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft, the A’s went the college route yet again and selected Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress:
The first few picks have featured a couple of surprises and the Athletics benefit by having their pick of some of the top prospects in the draft that fell. Burress, who is a short king at 5’9”, profiles as a power threat in the batter’s box with a quality approach at the plate. Over his three years in college the right-handed hitter slashed an impressive .357/.484/.720 with 60 home runs in 179 games played. Perhaps the best sign of his prowess as a hitter is that he walked (160) more times than he struck out (122) during his college years. That’s a sign of a good hitter with a high floor.
While some believe the 21-year-old Georgia native could remain in center field thanks to his above-average speed, many scouts expect him to eventually slide to a corner spot on the grass where his plus-plus arm would play up well and make him a potential Gold-Glove caliber defender on the grass. Burress could be a fast riser in the Athletics’ farm system and with rookie Henry Bolte looking like the long-term option in center field the team can try out Burress up the middle but easily slide him over to a corner once he approaches the big leagues.
Here’s what MLB Pipeline had to say about the newest A’s prospect:
Scouts liked Burress’ tools and loved his makeup when he was a Georgia high schooler, but he told teams he’d attend Georgia Tech unless they took him in the first round of the 2023 Draft. He went unpicked and then broke into college baseball with nine homers in his first eight games en route to setting a school record with 60 blasts in three seasons. He should be the first college outfielder selected and crack the top 10 choices.
Though he’s shorter than his listed 5-foot-9 and lacks projection, Burress has solid or better tools across the board. He has a compact and quick right-handed swing, plenty of strength, a disciplined approach at the plate and plus power that plays to all fields. His stance became very open and led to struggles in his second stint with the U.S. collegiate national team last summer, but he made the necessary adjustments to recover from a slow start this spring.
Burress is a quality athlete with a high baseball IQ and a strong work ethic. He uses his solid speed to steal an occasional base and to chase down balls in center field, where most evaluators believe he can remain as a pro. If not, he has the bat and plus arm to profile well in right field, and he set a Yellow Jackets record with 10 outfield assists in 2024.
So A’s fans, how would you grade the pick? Vote with the link, and discuss below!
Jul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Argyle High School player Grady Emerson during the 2025 Home Run Derby at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Rays used the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Fort Worth Christian (Texas) shortstop Grady Emerson, selecting one of the highest-upside hitters in this year’s class.
Emerson enters professional baseball with an advanced left-handed bat, exceptional feel for the strike zone, and the projection to develop above-average power as he matures physically. His athleticism gives him a chance to remain on the infield – likely at shortstop, while his offensive upside has made him one of the premier prep prospects available.
Interested in a very pretty slow-motion swing from top 2026 draft prospect Grady Emerson? You're in luck. pic.twitter.com/lJdDOk5sn7
By selecting Emerson, Tampa Bay is betting on one of the draft’s highest ceilings. His combination of hitting ability, athleticism, and long-term offensive potential gives the Rays another premium position player to develop through one of baseball’s strongest farm systems.
Here’s the Rays press release on the selection:
The Tampa Bay Rays have selected shortstop Grady Emerson out of Fort Worth Christian High School (Tx.) with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft.
The 18-year-old Emerson was named the 2026 Gatorade National Player of the Year, given annually to the nation’s top high school baseball player, after slashing .532/.648/1.013 (42-for-79) with nine doubles, seven home runs, 50 RBI, 27 walks, 39 runs scored, and 31 steals over 28 regular-season games as a senior at Fort Worth Christian, leading the school to a Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Division II state finals appearance for the first time since 2019. He was also selected as a 2026 Golden Spikes Award semifinalist, joining Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (2019) as the only high schoolers to receive the distinction since the award’s inception in 1978. The honor is presented annually to the top amateur baseball player in the United States.
A University of Texas commit, Emerson transferred to Fort Worth Christian for his senior year, where he played under head coach Rusty Greer, a nine-year MLB veteran who spent nine seasons with the Texas Rangers from 1994–2002. He is the first player to be selected in the First-Year Player Draft in program history. The six-foot-three, 185-pound infielder played his first three high school seasons at Argyle High School (Tx.) from 2023-25.
Emerson was selected to the United States U-18 and U-15 national teams a combined four times between 2022-25, winning All-World honors at third base after leading the club to a gold medal at the 2025 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 World Cup in Okinawa, Japan. Emerson became the first player in USA Baseball history to play for multiple U-18 and U-15 national teams.
Emerson is the seventh shortstop drafted by the Rays with their first selection and fourth over the last seven years, joining Daniel Pierce in 2025, Brayden Taylor in 2023, Carson Williams in 2021, Greg Jones in 2019, Tim Beckham in 2008, and B.J. Upton in 2002. This marks the third straight year the Rays have drafted a high school player with their first selection, joining Pierce and outfielder Theo Gillen in 2024, and the ninth instance in the last 12 drafts (2015-26).
The Rays received the No. 2 pick based on the results of the fourth annual Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft Lottery, which took place on Dec. 9, 2025 during the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. This is the sixth time the Rays have owned one of the first two selections in the draft. They held the No. 1 selection in 2008 (shortstop Beckham), 2007 (left-handed pitcher David Price), 2003 (outfielder Delmon Young), and 1999 (outfielder Josh Hamilton). They also selected Upton No. 2 overall in 2002.
