2026 MLB Draft Combine Recap

The 2026 MLB Draft Combine is officially in the rearview mirror and there were a number of players who showed enough to place an up arrow firmly next to their names as we head into the home stretch of the draft process.

Just Baseball is your home for all kinds of draft content in the coming weeks, including our own Tyler Jennings’ latest Top 250 board, video content on X from my week at the Combine, and upcoming exclusive interviews with some of the top prospects in the 2026 class.

Without further ado, here are several players who showed out at Chase Field last week and could hear their names called earlier than expected in next month’s draft.

Dominic Santarelli | IF/OF | St. Joseph Catholic HS (WI)

Santarelli was the talk of the Combine after a showstopping round of BP on Day 1 that resulted in an event-best 110.9 average exit velocity. A massive, physical presence from the left side, the Wisconsin native launched tape measure shots to every nook and cranny of Chase Field.

The LSU commit has racked up numerous accolades over the past year that include a high school state title, Gatorade Player of the Year in Wisconsin, and MVP honors at the MLB High School All-American Game. Seeing the 6-foot-2, 230 pound frame, you might be surprised to learn that Santarelli handled center field duties for his HS team and stole 39 bases this spring. 

Even though long term Santarelli is projected into a corner outfield spot or first base, the huge raw power is understandably the selling point and after this showing, he figures to find a home somewhere in the comp rounds on draft day.

Ryne Barker | IF | Casteel HS (AZ)

Those who have followed my work this spring know my affinity for Barker’s profile and the Combine further solidified those thoughts.

The Arizona native’s athletic, lean frame has room to add mass that may turn his current gap-to-gap power into 10-15 home runs down the line. He’s always excelled at making contact in the zone against quality arms on the showcase circuit and even if his current double-plus speed ticks down, he’ll still be a nuisance on the basepaths.

The long-term defensive home is still undecided but Barker looks like a solid, bat-first super utility type player who floats between 2B, 3B and LF.

Mike Harpster | RHP | East Tennessee State

Harpster came into the event as a bit of a data darling not too dissimilar to that of Mason Estrada last season. I was able to watch his bullpen during a break from our previously-scheduled interviews and liked what I saw.

The right-hander was up to 93 on the fastball but flashed a solid cutter and nasty slider with an average horizontal break of -19. It’s an east-west type arsenal and the funky, low-slot crossfire delivery makes for uncomfortable ABs for opposing batters despite lacking high-octane velocity. Harpster feels like the type of arm a team like Seattle or Cleveland may target on an underslot deal in the first ten rounds.

Peyton Bonds | OF | Rutgers

Bonds, the well-documented nephew of Barry, looks the part of an NFL tight end up close with a massive 6-foot-5, 230 pound frame. Once in the cage, he put on the type of show you’d expect for a player of his stature (110.6 90th EV) and certainly captured his share of attention.

The swing itself is very inconsistent and Bonds chased at an alarming rate this spring (nearly 40 percent), but a patient pro org may be justifiably enamored with the raw tools to pop him in the first 50 picks come July.

Dylan Vigue | RHP | Georgia

Vigue was the first college arm to take the mound on Day 1 and didn’t disappoint. Featuring a unique, low-slot crossfire delivery, Vigue topped out at 96 and flashed a nasty sinker-slider combo paired with a good changeup. 

It’s a good frame and the delivery is athletic but there are definitely lingering command questions which may affect whether teams view him as a starter at the next level. Regardless, Vigue’s floor is that of a leverage groundball specialist at the back of a bullpen.

Aiden Ruiz | IF | The Stony Brook School (NY)

Ruiz has received plenty of 70 grades for his glove work during the spring and showed why during his defensive drills at shortstop on Day 1.

He’s a bouncy, fluid athlete with confident hands, lightning-quick transfers and plenty of arm strength. There are a number of preps in this cycle who may need to move off shortstop long term as they develop but Ruiz is certainly not one of them.

In the cage, the New York native and switch-hitter showed his penchant for getting barreling up the baseball consistently and some solid EV numbers although it likely won’t be anything above a 40 power grade in the future.

The defensive value and bat-to-ball skills give Ruiz a great floor and I wouldn’t be surprised if Ruiz sneaks his way into the top 25-30 picks come July.

Ethan Wachsmann | RHP | Grandview HS (CO)

Another name from my Combine preview piece last week, Waschsmann threw the first bullpen of the day and immediately had the attention of scouts by hitting triple digits on one of his first pitches of the session.

The right-hander’s arm talent is undeniable and he showed an athletic delivery with a consistent feel for spin both on the fastball and breaking balls. It was apparent that Wachsmann was amped up for the opportunity and even though his final pitch (at 100 mph) sailed over the head of the catcher, there is a lot to like if a team can sign him away from his commitment to Wake Forest. If not, the Colorado native will be a great fit in arguably the best collegiate pitching development program in the country.

Honorable mentions: OF Blake Bowen, IF Rocco Maniscalco, OF Caden Ferraro, OF Sawyer Strosnider, RHP Aidan Keenan, OF Caden Bogenpohl, IF Jack Beck, RHP Gannon Grant, LHP Isaiah James, OF Lucas Nawrocki, OF Jovorskie Lane Jr.