Category: Baseball

On Saturday, July 11, in Philadelphia, Pa., the Washington Nationals selected Texas A&M infielder Chris Hacopian with the 11th pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The Potomac, Md., native lands with his hometown squad, with Nationals Park sitting just 21 miles south of home. Hacopian can certainly be an impact hitter that could debut within the next two years for a rebuilding Nationals team.

The selection of Hacopian marks three consecutive MLB Drafts that the Maroon and White have had a player taken in the first round, joining the company of Braden Montgomery (2024, 12th overall, Boston Red Sox) and Jace LaViolette (2025, 27th overall, Cleveland Guardians). As the 11th overall pick, Hacopian is the highest-drafted Aggie position player in program history.

After two solid years at the University of Maryland, where he earned two Second-Team All-Big Ten honors, the infielder transferred to College Station searching for bigger heights. Despite battling injuries, Hacopian played in 42 total games and batted .319 with 11 home runs for the Maroon and White in 2026. He started all 29 games in SEC play and ranked among the top 30 players in every offensive category. His efforts made him one of four Aggies to be named to the 2026 All-SEC First Team.

Over three collegiate seasons, Hacopian had at least 11 homers in each campaign for a career total of 41. He also had three straight seasons with 40 RBI, racking up 144 total between his time with the Terrapins and Aggies.

The 6’1”, 210-pound infielder is no stranger to playing on big stages, as he hit his first Texas A&M homer inside an MLB venue. In his first at-bat following six missed games due to back stiffness, Hacopian launched a first-inning solo shot over the visitor’s bullpen at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. That longball set the tone for a 10-0 run-rule victory over Virginia Tech on March 6.

Later in the season, Hacopian notched his third collegiate multi-homer game, leaving the yard twice in the first game of a May 9 doubleheader in Oxford, Miss., as part of an 18-5 run-rule win for the Aggies. The second longball was the seventh total by Texas A&M in that contest, tying a program record for most in a single contest.

As expected, Hacopian was off the board in the second wave of college prospects, joining the likes of Georgia Tech’s Drew Burress, Virginia’s AJ Gracia, and Kentucky’s Tyler Bell. Three high-impact collegiate seasons made it clear that Hacopian’s bat is worth trusting and developing in the Nationals organization. Most scouts and evaluators had Hacopian as the best college bat available on the board, especially among second basemen. His consistent ability to barrel up baseballs should translate in the professional ranks. Former big leaguer Chris Burke, now an analyst on ESPN’s college baseball broadcasts, said it best about Hacopian: “Low chase with high contact and high exit velocity – that’s what Major League Baseball is looking for in the draft.”  

Despite committing a lone error last season and holding a .990 fielding percentage, there are concerns about Hacopian’s fielding prowess. Across his three college seasons, the infielder made 30 total errors on 439 chances (a .932 fielding percentage). As his development progresses, expect Hacopian to likely check in as a designated hitter. On the off chance he does play the field, he projects as a second baseman or could get placed in left field.   

Prior to the draft, Chris Hacopian was ranked the 14th-highest prospect on the board and the top second baseman, per MLB Pipeline. In their scouting report, they say, “He has advanced feel for the barrel and control of the strike zone, and some clubs believe he has the best bat in the college ranks.”

Hacopian was the highest-ranked out of the four main prospects from Texas A&M, with outfielder Caden Sorrell (No. 33), infielder Gavin Grahovac (No. 38), and southpaw Shane Sdao (No. 95) checking in behind him. At nearly 22 years of age, it shouldn’t take Chris Hacopian very long to climb through the Nationals system. If he can stay healthy, there’s a high probability he could get to Triple-A Rochester in the next two season with a potential MLB call-up at the end of that early window. The bat is too good to be ignored, and based on the current outlook, two successful stints of Spring Training could have Chris Hacopian donning the red and white threads of the Washington Nationals come Opening Day of the 2028 campaign.

Roch Cholowsky's introduction to Major League Baseball was an unfortunate one.

Taken by the Chicago White Sox with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred butchered the pronunciation of the UCLA shortstop's last name on the stage at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Manfred's mispronunciation has turned into heat being thrown towards him on social media.

The St. Louis Cardinals have selected prep OF Trevor Condon with their first pick in the 2026 MLB draft. Drawing comps to Lenny Dykstra and Pete Crow-Armstrong, Trevor Condon is a bat-to-ball speedster who is a true centerfielder with plus raw tools and will bring a tenacity and brash energy to a St. Louis Cardinals team that has traditionally built around modest, quiet personalities. Earlier in this draft cycle, Condon drew some offensive comps to AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner Kevin McGonigle with the aforementioned bat-to-ball skills.

Though Condon has an unconventional left-handed stroke with an upright barrel, he makes good swing decisions and regular contact to all fields. He has enough bat speed and strength to get to average power, though it shows up more in batting practice than in games at this point. He hits balls hard but has yet to pull them in the air consistently.

Condon has double-plus speed and likes to use it, playing with constant intensity as he tries to make things happen on the bases and runs down balls in the gaps. He’s a quality center fielder who will stay there at the next level, with the added bonus of solid arm strength. A Tennessee recruit, he’s reminiscent of former Volunteers star Drew Gilbert with his 5-foot-11 frame, tools and flair.

Grades:

Hit: 60

Power: 45

Run: 70

Arm: 55

Field: 60

FV: 55

(Blurb and grades via MLB Pipeline)

Born in the hotbed of baseball that is Miami, Jacob Lombard has bled baseball since he was a child.

His father, George Lombard Sr., played for eight seasons in the majors and has been coaching professionally since 2010, currently with the Detroit Tigers as a bench coach. His older brother, George Lombard Jr., is currently in the New York Yankees organization with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after being selected in the first round by the Bronx Bombers in 2023.

Turns out, Lombard isn't going very far.

Saturday marked a historic moment for Lombard and his family, as he was selected with the No. 14 pick by the Miami Marlins during All-Star Weekend in Philadelphia. Lombard's slot bonus at the No. 14 pick is set to be $5.4 million.

Here's a look at the Gulliver Prep star, and his very short journey from South Miami to Little Havana.

One of the best to come out of Miami

For all the talent Miami has bred lately, Lombard is the best of the bunch, becoming the highest selection to come out of the 305 since Brito standout Manny Machado was picked third overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2010.

Lombard joins his brother George (2023), Westminster Christian product Sal Stewart (2022), Mater Academy Charter star Albert Almora Jr. (2012), Machado (2010), Coral Park's Luiz Montanez (2000), and Gulliver Prep's David Espinosa (2000) as the only prep first-rounders out of Miami-Dade County this century.

Why do clubs like Lombard so much? Well, his 6-foot-3 frame is a plus, especially at an elite position like shortstop. His ability to cover ground not just in the field but also from home to first also appeals to clubs. But most importantly, his bat is one that fascinates many scouts. With the Raiders this year, Lombard hit .477 with 10 home runs, 25 RBI, and 52 runs scored, adding 4 doubles and 14 stolen bases.

Lombard was also a solid soccer player along with being elite on the diamond, winning back-to-back state titles with Gulliver. In three varsity seasons on the pitch, Lombard and the Raiders went 60-7-5.

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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jacob Lombard staying in Miami, drafted by Marlins with 14th pick in MLB Draft

The Colorado Rockies selected Tyler Bell, a switch-hitting shortstop from the University of Kentucky, with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday.

Welcome to the Rockies, Tyler ‼️

With the 10th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft the Rockies select SS Tyler Bell. pic.twitter.com/jqyHfVNEJZ

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 11, 2026

Bell is the first first-round selection of the Paul DePodesta era. The 10th overall pick carries an assigned slot value of $6,393,100.

Colorado made the selection after the Atlanta Braves took AJ Gracia ninth overall. The Rockies also hold picks No. 37, No. 38, No. 76 and No. 104 on Day 1.

Who is Tyler Bell?

Bell is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound switch-hitter who throws right-handed. He turned 21 on June 30 and entered the draft ranked as the No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 15 prospect by Baseball America.

The Tampa Bay Rays selected Bell 66th overall in 2024 out of high school, but he chose to attend Kentucky.

Across two seasons with the Wildcats, Bell hit .314/.438/.556 with 19 home runs, 26 doubles and 21 stolen bases.

He took a big step forward in 2026, batting .343/.510/.608 with nine home runs, 19 doubles, 30 walks and 36 strikeouts despite playing with a shoulder injury. While diving for a ball in February, Bell dislocated his non-throwing shoulder and suffered structural damage including a torn labrum. 

“It was definitely tough. I had a lot of people on my side telling me to shut it down,” he said. “I know that coach [Nick Mingione] had said the same night that I got hurt that if I didn’t play another game the rest of the year I would still be a first-round Draft pick.

“I just wanted to be out there with my boys and I knew I was good enough to play. It might have hurt sometimes, it might have affected me at times, but just that competitiveness in me — knowing that Kentucky was a special team this year and we had a chance to win a National Championship, and if we were going to do that as a team I knew I had to be part of that.”

Bell also played briefly in the Cape Cod League and appeared at second base, shortstop and third base for Team USA.

A smooth shortstop with some edge

Bell is a switch-hitter who plays with an edge and moves with the smoothness expected from a shortstop.

He is athletic enough to remain at the position, with quick feet, good body control and enough arm strength to complete plays from different angles.

At the plate, Bell’s left-handed swing is quick and compact, with enough bat speed and strength to produce some pull-side pop. He does not need a long swing to generate damage, and his direct path gives him a chance to make consistent contact while still driving the ball.

The numbers support the visual profile. Bell’s 2026 season included a .510 on-base percentage and nearly as many walks as strikeouts, pointing to improved strike-zone control without sacrificing power.

MLB Pipeline gave Bell 50 grades for his hit, power and run tools, along with 55 grades for his arm and defense. His overall grade was also a 55.

Bell does not have one overwhelming carrying tool. His appeal comes from the completeness of the profile.

He earns positive marks for his swing decisions and bat-to-ball ability, and his offensive game is not dependent on selling out for power. From both sides of the plate, he has enough feel for the barrel to contribute in several ways. He is also an extremely patient hitter who had a chase rate of just 13.5% during the 2026 college season and drew 30 walks to just 36 strikeouts.

Defensively, Bell has the athleticism and actions to stay at shortstop. Even if he eventually moves off the position, his glove and experience around the infield should still give him value at second or third base.

That gives Colorado several possible outcomes. If Bell remains at shortstop, his offensive profile becomes especially valuable. If he eventually moves, the Rockies should still have a capable defender with enough bat to fit elsewhere in the infield.

The first statement of the DePodesta era

Bell’s selection offers the first real clue about the type of amateur player Colorado may prioritize under DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes.

The Rockies chose a smooth, athletic shortstop with a compact swing, some pop and a competitive edge. It is less a bet on one elite tool than on a broad collection of useful skills.

One year after selecting Ethan Holliday fourth overall, Colorado has added another young shortstop with the potential to become part of the club’s long-term foundation.

What comes next

The Rockies next select 37th overall in Competitive Balance Round A and then return immediately with the 38th pick to begin the second round.

Coverage of picks 11 through 40 continues on MLB Network, Peacock, MLB.com, MLB.TV and MLB+.

What do you think of the pick? Let us know in the comments!

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Mets interim manager Andy Green hit on a number of topics before Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox.

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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.”

Thornton made two starts for the club earlier this year, one in May and one in June, both of which saw him sent back down to the minors straight after. He allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in 4.1 innings of his big league debut in Washington before dealing a stellar outing in Queens: one run on five hits and one walk over six innings with seven strikeouts against the Phillies.

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.”

Kodai Senga a one-inning guy out of ‘pen?

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. 

Mets let Juan Soto make Derby call

Green said the organization didn’t play any part in Soto’s decision not to partake in the Home Run Derby this upcoming week.

“That’s his call,” Green said. “He’d be fun to watch, but respect whatever decision he chose to make there.

“That was totally his call.”

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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trevor Condon selected by St. Louis Cardinals with 13th pick in 2026 MLB Draft

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.

Zion Rose scouting reports

From The Athletic:

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.

From MLB.com:

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.

From Fangraphs:

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

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 11, 2026

Oh man! The @Royals got a strong one in Zion Rose! pic.twitter.com/Aj0CW4fjnu

— 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:

Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50

Via Over-Slot: “At present,…

— SleeperRoyals (@SleeperRoyals) July 11, 2026

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

— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) July 11, 2026

WOAH!!!!

The Royals shock the industry and take Zion Rose at pick No. 6.

PROFILE👇pic.twitter.com/EmhxaELuCP

— Over-Slot Baseball (@OverSlot_) July 11, 2026

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 apparently lasting deep into Saturday morning.

But that all turned out to be a ruse, as Cholowsky admitted that the White Sox informed him on Thursday that he was their pick, easing some of his anxiety about having lost out on the team he wanted to land with (as well as a record signing bonus — it won’t be the full $11 million-plus designated for the slot, but it won’t be a mere nine figures, either).

So, the rest of us still were stirred when 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. But for Roch, coming to Chicago wasn’t only about the money, but the culture:

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. (Per Elias, that makes the Cholowskys just the 11th father-son duo drafted in the first round of the MLB draft.) That familial background helped shape one of the most polished players available, 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.

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The 2026 White Sox draft storystream contains all of our draft content.

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)
• 2nd round, 46th overall – Ty Head – OF – NC State (article)
• 3rd round, 82nd overall – Dominic Voegele – RHP – Kansas
• 4th round, 110th overall – Kevin Roberts Jr. – OF – Jackson Prep (Miss.) HS
• 5th round, 142nd overall – Jimmy Anderson – SS – Heartland CC (Ill.)
• 6th round, 171st overall – Zane Adams – LHP – Alabama
• 7th round, 200th overall – Ryan Piech – RHP – Xavier
• 8th round, 230th overall – Will Plunkett – SS – Mamaroneck (NY) HS
• 9th round, 260th overall – Collin McKinney – RHP – Arizona
• 10th round, 290th overall – Carlos Sanchez – UT – LSU-Shreveport
• 11th round, 320th overall – Ross Norman – RHP – Coastal Carolina
• 12th round, 350th overall – Leo Marrero – C – Hardee (Fla.) HS
• 13th round, 380th overall – Garrison Sumner – RHP – BYU
• 14th round, 410th overall – Miguel Hugas – RHP – Mercer (Ga.)
• 15th round, 440th overall – Braden Smith – RHP – Central Florida
• 16th round, 470th overall – Brayden Fry – SS – Cranford (NJ) HS
• 17th round, 500th overall – Diego Gutierrez – RHP – San Diego
• 18th round, 530th overall – Gunnar Garrison – RHP – Eaton (Colo.) HS
• 19th round, 560th overall – Victor Salazar – OF – Paetow (Tex.) HS
• 20th round, 590th overall – Ross Davis – RHP – Rusk (Tex.) HS

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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jared Grindlinger selected by Los Angeles Angels in 2026 MLB Draft

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.

Vahn Lackey’s 2026 season across 61 games:

20 HR | 16 2B | 78 RBI | 85 Runs | 15 SB
.397 AVG | .519 OBP | .772 SLG | 1.291 OPS
151 wRC+

The Twins get a game-changing talent at the catcher position 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nRdDiFtUj9

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) July 11, 2026

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!

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:

1. White Sox – Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
2. Rays – Grady Emerson, SS, Tex. HS
3. Twins – Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
4. Giants – Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
5. Pirates – Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
6. 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.

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.

Chase Burns tweaks groin and won’t pitch in ASG pic.twitter.com/u7pBzBBQxJ

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 11, 2026

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.

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) July 10, 2026