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The 2026 MLB Draft is a week away and MLB.com writer Jonathan Mayo has released his latest mock draft as draft day nears. The Pittsburgh Pirates are sitting near the top with the fifth overall pick, and Mayo projects that they’ll take one of the top high school players with that selection.

The Pirates are currently projected to draft outfielder Eric Booth Jr. from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Booth is ranked as the sixth best prospect in this year’s class and is the top prep school outfielder. Perhaps the Pirates find lightning twice by drafting a top high schooler out of the state of Mississippi like Konnor Griffin.

Booth is a standout in this class for several reasons, one of which is his athleticism. His speed was on full display a year ago when he ran the fastest 60-yard dash at East Coast Pro showcase (6.33 seconds). Despite having a more compact frame (6’0” 207 lbs) he has some decent power at the plate. He’s projected to be a 20-25 home run hitter by the time he makes the major leagues, plus he’s got good bat speed and already impressive natural strength for a 17-year-old. Booth’s power has already been on display as he won the Home Run Derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic last summer.

After a successful summer Booth has shot up prospect rankings and is being viewed now as possibly the best outfield prospect in the class. His raw athleticism has jumped off the pages as he was given a 70 run grade to go along with a 50 arm grade. The Vanderbilt commit is being looked at as an exciting hitting prospect too, garnering plenty of attention for his low strikeout rates and reliability at the plate. Booth was given a 55 hit grade with 50 power. As a defender there’s certainly some fine tuning that needs to take place within his development but he was still given a 50 arm grade and a 55 field grade.

The Pirates are once again picking in the top five picks of the draft, and they have not been afraid to take top prep talent in recent years. Just a year ago they took the best high school pitcher in Seth Hernandez with the sixth overall pick, and the aforementioned Griffin was taken ninth overall in the 2024 MLB draft. To this point both of those draft picks are paying off as Hernandez is dominating the minor leagues right now, while Griffin has been one of the top contributors in Pittsburgh since making his debut in April. A player like Booth could be another success story for the Buccos.

The MLB Draft will begin on July 11, at the Philadelphia Convention Center starting 1 p.m. ET.

The MLB Draft is only 8 days away, which means we are firmly in mock draft season. For a while, the Nats were being heavily connected to high school two-way player Jared Grindlinger. However, as we get closer to the draft, the winds seem to be shifting towards a college hitter. Both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America mocked Mississippi State infielder Ace Reese to the Nats, with Pipeline saying that the Nats “like” Reese.

When you look at Reese’s profile, there is a lot to like. There is a strong argument to be made that Reese has been the most productive hitter in the SEC the last two seasons. After transferring from Houston to Mississippi State following his freshman year, the infielder hit the ground running. Reese hit .352 with 21 homers and a 1.140 OPS. This year he had a strong follow up campaign, hitting .336 with 24 homers and a 1.152 OPS. 

With Ace Reese, you are buying the bat. He is a third baseman right now, but his speed and defense are fringy. The 6’4 slugger has a chance to stick at third, but there is also a real possibility he will have to move to first base. With that sort of profile, you have to be very sure about the bat.

There is certainly a strong case that Reese has an elite bat. He has plus in game power and makes more contact than your average slugger. Reese has a real chance to be a .260ish bat with 30 home run power. Even at first base, that bat would play in a real way. 

However, his offensive profile is not perfect. The biggest flaw in Reese’s offensive profile is his tendency to chase. In each of the last two seasons, he has chased more than the average hitter. His contact numbers also took a slight step back this year, though he does not have a bad hit tool by any means.

Between the chase rates and the slight hit tool concerns, there are more yellow flags in the offensive profile than you would like to see from a bat first guy. You have to worry a little bit about whether his chase issues could be exploited more as he gets into the upper minors and the big leagues. Reese has the power as his calling card, but with his lack of patience, he will also have to hit for a reasonably high average to be a high end bat.

Reese is in a big clump of college hitters who all had good years but left some questions. Our guy Paul made a very cool graphic comparing some of their underlying data. As you can see, Reese has elite power and is a barrel machine. However, the chase and whiff does create some risk in the profile.

Honestly, Reese’s profile is not too different from Ethan Petry, who the Nats took in the second round last year. Petry had some chase in his game, which has actually gotten better in pro ball. Reese chases more than Petry did, but he also has a better hit tool.

I am a bit higher on Reese than Paul is because I have more faith in the hit and power combination. However, if they were to pick Reese at 11, I would like it to be on an underslot deal. In the MLB Pipeline mock, the Nats take Reese over Chris Hacopian and Tyler Bell, which would be interesting to say the least. Bell is a more well rounded profile than Reese, and Hacopian might be the best pure hitter in the draft.

The appeal with Ace Reese is real though. This is a player who can hit absolute tape measure shots and has a gorgeous swing. He has good bat speed, barrels balls up with ease and has a real chance to be at least a 30 homer bat. True middle of the order bats are not easy to find, and Reese has that potential.

It feels crazy, but the draft is just over a week away. Paul Toboni and the scouting team are entering crunch time when it comes to who they pick. For a while, it seemed like they wanted to make a big swing on Grindlinger, and that is still possible. However, as draft day gets closer, it seems like they are falling back on the safety of taking a college hitter.

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The Chicago Cubs are scorching hot, having won nine of the past 10 games.

They are -130 favorites to take the series opener Friday, but my Cardinals vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks see value in backing the underdog.

Who will win Cardinals vs Cubs today: St. Louis Cardinals (+110)

Andre Pallante has found his groove after a rocky start to the season. He has posted an xERA of 3.5 or lower in six of his last eight games, allowing two runs or fewer six times.

He has also limited power very effectively, which should force a Chicago Cubs lineup that ranks 19th in average vs. righties over the past 30 days to string together hits.

The St. Louis Cardinals are a competent offense against lefties and primed to make noise against David Peterson, who ranks in the sixth percentile in Pitcher Run Value.

Back St. Louis to +100.

COVERS INTEL:Andre Pallante ranks in the 93rd percentile in GB%, which should help him zap power out of Chicago's offense.

Cardinals vs Cubs Over/Under pick: Over 10.5 (-115)

Peterson has allowed 2.76 homers per nine innings over the last 30 days, which is the highest total among all of today’s projected starters.

He is allowing a ton of power and striking out very few batters. That’s a recipe for disaster on a hot day with favorable hitting conditions.

While Pallante has mostly pitched well of late, it’s worth noting one of the hiccups came against the Cubs – he allowed four runs in three innings May 29.

With struggling bullpens behind these starters, the sky is the limit.

Play the Over to -120.

Cardinals vs Cubs weather

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 80s with winds of more than 10 miles per hour blowing out. Boost to the bats.

Cardinals vs Cubs odds

• Moneyline: Cardinals +110 | Cubs -130
• Run line: Cardinals +1.5 (-170) | Cubs -1.5 (+145)
• Over/Under: Over 10.5 (-115) | Under 10.5 (-105)

Cardinals vs Cubs trend

St. Louis has hit the Team Total Over in 14 of their last 21 away games (+5.95 units, 24% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Cubs.

How to watch Cardinals vs Cubs and game info

Cardinals vs Cubs latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Atlanta Braves, who are leading the NL East for now, have made a few moves before Grant Holmes takes the hill tonight versus the Mets.

Turns out that a seven-run inning will get someone’s attention. The Braves underwent a partial bullpen-ectomy last night. The Braves have recalled RHP Anthony Molina to Atlanta after optioning RHP James Karinchak to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game. The club also returned LHP Danny Young from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and designated RHP Ian Hamilton for assignment.

The Braves returned Ian Hamilton to the DFA cycle/Cookie Carrasco Caravan as most would expect after last night. Hamilton mopped up last night after Tyler Kinley and Dylan Lee each gave up three runs and blew up the game. Ian got five outs last night. So he spent eight days with the team after his last stint was six days. James Karinchak is returning to Gwinnett. He’s been a somewhat acceptable reliever after a long time out of baseball. But giving up runs is both of his outings versus the Cardinals got him sent down. Anthony Molina has returned to Atlanta. Molina has collected a pretty forgettable 5.40/5.51/4.12 line over 5 innings. He does have a 96.7 MPH four-seam that is good but hasn’t netted a lot of time in Atlanta.

Danny Young is back from Tommy John surgery. Young was briefly a part of the 2023 Atlanta Braves team. Then was a part of the Mets bullpen before his injury. It’s interesting that he will be activated just as his old team is coming to town. Welcome back, Danny! Bring 2023 with you please.

After a very, very slow start to his 2026 season, Pete Crow-Armstrong turned on the jets in June. (Actually, a bit before that, as I will show you.)

In 26 games in June, PCA batted .381/.468/.781 (40-for-105) with five doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 21 runs scored, 17 walks and eight stolen bases (no caught stealing).

For that fantastic performance, PCA was named National League Player of the Month for June, adding another honor to the two Player of the Week awards he won during the month.

As I mentioned, he actually began his climb out of his slump in late May, per this cubs.com article by Jordan Bastian:

Crow-Armstrong has also thrived since being installed as the Cubs’ primary leadoff man in late May. In 22 games as Chicago’s tablesetter, the center fielder has hit .396/.462/.813 with nine homers, seven doubles, two triples, six steals, 10 walks and 16 RBIs. He has said he has embraced the “responsibility” that comes with the role.

One thing Crow-Armstrong has cited has been an improved understanding of looking for a specific pitch and being stubborn about sticking to that plan. The byproduct of that mindset has been a walk rate nearly doubled (8.5%) over last season (4.5%), even as his swing rate has reduced since the start of the season (56.6% through April and 48.2% in May-June).

“He’s in swing mode. It’s kind of his thing,” Counsell said. “And I think now it’s a little bit like he’s learned that he can be in swing mode and still not swing. And I think that’s how he should be. It’s still an aggressive mode. It doesn’t take anything away from his aggressiveness.”

It seems so simple, but indeed, PCA has taken to that leadoff role. The walks are a great sign of this. Here’s one reason he’s been able to do that (Bluesky link):

Here’s more from the Bastian article on just how special PCA’s June was:

Crow-Armstrong was the first Cubs batter with at least 11 homers, 20 RBIs and 40 hits in a month since Nick Castellanos in August of ‘19. Add the 17 walks into the equation and you have to go back to Hall of Famer Hack Wilson, who did it in July 1929 and August 1930. Throw in Crow-Armstrong’s eight stolen bases and he stands alone for any month by a Cubs batter.

In fact, Crow-Armstrong is only the second player since at least 1920 (when RBIs became an official stat) to have at least eight steals, 11 homers, 17 walks and 40 hits in one month. The only other player to do it was Barry Bonds in 1992, but that was in a September-October period featuring 31 games. Crow-Armstrong did it in 26 games in June.

In addition to all the hitting, he continued his stellar defense. Here’s a five-star catch he made against the Rockies June 11 [VIDEO].

Perhaps not coincidentally (PCA also went 2-for-5 with a steal in that game), that was the game that began the Cubs’ current 15-4 run.

PCA also currently leads all MLB players with 5.2 bWAR — that’s a possible 10 WAR season if he keeps this up. He’s a lock to be a reserve on the NL All-Star team and these numbers vault him into the MVP conversation.

Congratulations to Pete on this honor and here’s hoping for many more.

On a mid-September day in 1787, the residents of Philadelphia stood outside Independence Hall (or rather, what would someday be called Independence Hall), with bated breath. Inside, an assembly of the nation’s finest statesmen were hard at work crafting an institution that would shape not only the future of their young nation, but the world. The door opened. Men whose names would reverberate through the generations stepped out. One observer, by the name of Elizabeth Willing Powel, spotted Benjamin Franklin and asked him what sort of institution he and his colleagues had made. “A baseball team, if you can keep it,” came the famous and not at all fabricated reply.

But Philadelphia could not keep its baseball team, and the Athletics would later decamp for Kansas City.

Fortunately, the Phillies stepped in and stood the test of time, just like how our Constitution replaced the short-lived Articles of Confederation (well, not quite, since the Phillies existed at the same time as their citymates, but close enough).

Our founding fathers did not live long enough to see the Phillies. But the examples they set live on in all American institutions, including baseball, and the teams which comprise it. Here, today, we could name the Phillies who best exemplify the principles, the wisdom, the learnedness of the founding fathers.

But it’s way easier to just name the Phillies whose names kinda sounds like theirs, so let’s do that instead.

George Washington: George Washington Harper (1924-1926)

George Washington may have been a Virginian, but he faced and overcame some of the pivotal challenges of his life in Philadelphia. It is therefore fitting that George Washington Harper, an outfielder from Arlington, Kentucky, would make his own way there. After three years in Detroit and two and a half in Cincinnati, Harper was traded to Philadelphia, where he would finish out the season, as well as the next two. Though he never rose to the prominence in baseball that his namesake achieved in politics, he played well, slashing .349/.391/.558 in a 1925 season that saw him get some downballot MVP votes. Just like the nation’s first president, he would then make his way to New York, though by trade rather than election (New York was the president’s home in the days before D.C.).

Thomas Jefferson: Thomas “Tommy” Jefferson Dowd (1897)

What nickname do you give to a guy named Thomas Jefferson? “Mr. President” would seem to be the natural choice. But no, Tommy Dowd’s nickname was Buttermilk Tommy. Better than Butterfingers, one supposes. An outfielder hailing from Holyoke, Massachusetts, Dowd played for the Phillies in those far-off days of 1897. In doing so, he took his namesake’s journey in reverse: whereas Jefferson had gone from the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., Dowd played for the Washington Statesmen in 1891 (and the Senators in 1892), then joined the Phillies in ’97 (in between there was a long stop in St. Louis, which joined the United States thanks to a purchase made by, you guessed it…). Jefferson played in 91 games for the Phillies that year, having a rather limited impact.

Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin Oviedo (2005-2007, Venezuelan Summer League)

Philadelphia has more Benjamin Franklins (Benjamins Franklin?) than any other city on earth, as anyone who has walked through Old City will attest to, but no Ben Franklin has ever played for the Phillies. But one did play for the organization: Benjamin Franklin Oviedo, an infielder and left fielder, played three seasons for the Phillies’ Venezuelan Summer League Team.

John Hancock: Josh Hancock (2003-2004)

John Hancock started out in Massachusetts, then made his way to Philadelphia. So did Josh Hancock, a righty pitcher, who debuted with the Red Sox, and was then traded to the Phillies in exchange for Jeremy Giambi. Hancock played sparingly for the Phillies, tossing 3 innings across 2 games in 2003, then 9 across 4 in 2004. He was traded to Cincinnati midway through the 2004 campaign. If he didn’t sign his autographs in an unreasonably large size, it was a huge missed opportunity.

John Adams: John Bertram “Bert” Adams (1915-1919)

A backstop from Wharton, Texas, he preferred to go by “Bert”. He debuted with Cleveland (the Naps, at the time) at 19 in 1910, but played in only two games. He only played in 27 games total for the Naps across three seasons before the New York Giants took him in the Rule 5 draft in 1914 (yes, it is that old). A trade sent him to the Phillies, for whom he would play for the next five seasons. He was a backup in 1915 and 1916, played in about a quarter of the team’s games in 1917, then graduated to a proper timeshare in 1918 and 1919, playing roughly half the time.

James Madison: James “Jim” Madison Holloway (1929)

Jim Holloway, a pitcher from Baton Rouge, didn’t have much of an impact in Phillies history. He appeared in three games in the 1929 season, allowing 2 homers and 7 runs in 4.2 innings pitched, then never threw a major league pitch again. But he’s useful for this article.

John Jay: Jay Johnstone (1974-1978)

Outfielder Jay Johnstone played four seasons and part of a fifth for the Phillies, part of a career that lasted nearly twenty years. He was a good hitter with the Phillies, with an OPS of over .800 in each of his four full seasons with them. He was traded to the Yankees midseason in 1979.

Robert Morris: Robert “Bobby” Moris Morgan (1954-1957)

An infielder from Oklahoma City, Morgan started out with the Brooklyn Dodgers before being traded to the Phillies. He hit lightly, but still held down a starting job. The Phillies traded him to the Cardinals midseason in 1956, but the Cardinals sent him back in the offseason in a trade that saw Philadelphia stalwart Del Ennis shipped out to St. Louis. The Cardinals also sent along Rip Repulski, winner of the “this is definitely a name from a comic book” award.