Mock Draft 2.0: Shakeups & Stock Risers

Roughly one month out from the MLB Draft, it’s a good time to revamp our last mock and walk through the exercise again.

Adrian, Conor, Jay, and Peyton teamed up and walked through how the top 40 picks could shake out, with each pick from No. 1 to No. 40 being a debate. Changes started with the second selection for Tampa Bay, along with seven new additions to this revamped mock.

Just like our initial draft, this will have a bunch of wrong answers, though it’s always a fun task. Enough with the prefacing, let’s dive in.

1. Chicago White Sox – Roch Cholowsky, SS | UCLA

Slot Value: $11,350,600

The White Sox stay with Roch Cholowsky at No. 1. Chicago has continued to scout the top of the class, with Grady Emerson, Vahn Lackey and Jacob Lombard all still part of the conversation. Cholowsky remains the steadiest fit as a college shortstop with a long track record of performance and the defensive foundation to remain there.

This pick is not as settled as it looked earlier in the spring. Emerson has pushed into the discussion as the top prep alternative, while Lackey’s season at Georgia Tech has made him harder to ignore. The White Sox have enough options to keep doing their homework, but Cholowsky still lines up as the safest projection at the top of the board. – Adrian W.

2. Tampa Bay Rays – Vahn Lackey, C | Georgia Tech

Slot Value: $10,507,000

The first switch-up from our initial mock doesn’t take long, with Tampa Bay selecting Georgia Tech’s Vahn Lackey. Since 2024, both the offensive upticks and improved swing decisions have been remarkable, helping him collect nearly 40 extra-base hits while finishing top 10 nationally in both wOBA and wRC+. He offers everything you want defensively, with plus defensive traits and obvious arm strength.

The Rays have scouted Vahn extensively, and he’s answered the bell every opportunity. Grady Emerson is the only other candidate with this selection. – Peyton S.

3. Minnesota Twins – Grady Emerson, SS | Fort Worth Christian (TX)

Slot Value: $9,740,100

Most of the industry has Emerson grouped with Cholowsky and Lackey at the top of the class, so Minnesota would still be picking from the top tier if he reaches No. 3. He has pushed himself into the No. 1 overall conversation as the top high school hitter in the class, with advanced barrel feel from the left side and enough defensive ability to project at shortstop.

The longer timeline is the obvious difference compared to Cholowsky or Lackey, but Emerson belongs in the top three mix. His offensive foundation gives the Twins a chance to land one of the highest-upside players in the class if the first two picks go to college. – Adrian W.

4. San Francisco Giants – Drew Burress, OF | Georgia Tech

Slot Value: $8,988,400

With the consensus top three off the board ahead of the Giants, this is where things officially get interesting. The added bonus pool money means there’s a case to be made for EJ Booth, but I think Drew Burress may win Buster Posey over at this spot with a potential to buy down prep talent later down the board. Though he wasn’t able to replicate his magical freshman campaign, there are still five above-average or better tools here and the potential to be an impact bat for a long time. – Conor D.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates – Eric “EJ” Booth, OF | Oak Grove (MS)

Slot Value: $8,336,500

Two years ago, the Pirates made a franchise-altering choice on draft day, as they landed Konnor Griffin, a generational prospect capable of altering the organization. At the time, the Mississippi prep prospect had some swing concerns, but possessed unreal athleticism and the raw tools needed to succeed in professional baseball.

In 2026, this blend matches Eric “EJ” Booth, another Mississippi prep prospect with an unpolished swing and amazing raw athleticism. With the Pirates proving that this path could be successful in Griffin, their need for legitimate outfield depth, and their recent willingness to draft high school prospects, this pairing almost feels too good to be true. – Jay S.

6. Kansas City Royals – Jackson Flora, RHP | UCSB

Slot Value: $7,746,100

Brian Bridges and company struck gold with multiple college pitching selections last year, such as Michael Lombardi and Justin Lamkin. That said, it’s really hard to think that his group will pass over the best pitching prospect in the class if given the chance.

Flora has a fascinating arsenal, equipped with four pitches that he has above-average command for, including a new kick-change thrown to left-handers. Other candidates with this pick include infielders Chris Hacopian and Jacob Lombard. – Peyton S.

7. Baltimore Orioles – Chris Hacopian, 2B | Texas A&M

Slot Value: $7,327,200

Since 2023, the Baltimore Orioles have made six first-round selections, and of these six picks, five of them were college prospects. In 2026, the Orioles will have the chance to continue this trend with Chris Hacopian, one of the best overall hitters in this year’s class. With an electric contact-power blend, he’s made to move quickly through the lower levels and impact the big league team sooner rather than later. – Jay S.

8. Athletics – Jacob Lombard, SS | Gulliver Schools (FL)

Slot Value: $6,982,600

Lombard reaching No. 8 would give the Athletics one of the biggest upside swings in the class. He has been linked as high as No. 1 overall and is more commonly grouped with Jackson Flora and Eric Booth Jr. in the tier behind Roch Cholowsky, Vahn Lackey and Grady Emerson.

There is hit tool risk, which is why he could slide further than the industry’s top group. Still, the athleticism and physical projection are hard to ignore, especially for a shortstop with this much offensive upside. Oakland has been connected more often to college bats, but this scenario leaves them with a prep talent who could come off the board several picks earlier.

If Lombard gets past Oakland, he could have another fit at No. 14 with Miami. The Marlins kept things college-heavy in last year’s draft, but the hometown connection and top-of-the-class upside will make Lombard difficult to ignore if he slides into that range. – Adrian W.

9. Atlanta Braves – Brody Bumila, LHP | Bishop Feehan (MA)

Slot Value: $6,675,300

Atlanta went with a high school player in our last mock with Jared Grindlinger, and Bumila would follow that same path under Ronit Shah. The Braves have been tied to several college bats and arms in this range, but this route lets them jump the prep pitching market for an explosive left-handed arm.

Bumila has done enough to push himself into the top half of the first round if a team is comfortable with the risk. The 6-foot-9 lefty has been up to 101-102 mph with huge extension, giving him fastball quality few amateur arms can match. The medical history and developing secondaries add risk, but Atlanta picks again at No. 26 and can afford to take this kind of swing. Gio Rojas and in-state outfielder Drew Burress are two other names to watch in this range. – Adrian W.

10. Colorado Rockies – Sawyer Strosnider, OF | TCU

Slot Value – $6,393,100

If there’s one pairing around the league that regularly produces glorious results, it’s power hitters playing in Coors Field. The Rockies have a chance to land one of the better power bats in the draft for the third year in a row with TCU outfielder Sawyer Strosnider.

With one of the smoothest left-handed strokes in the class, it’s a swing that’s made to lift the baseball without sacrificing contact skills in the process. Strosnider would undoubtedly be a prospect who could immediately make this subpar Rockies farm system miles more interesting. – Jay S.

11. Washington Nationals – Jared Grindlinger, OF-LHP | Huntington Beach (CA)

Slot Value – $6,133,500

The Nats have added an impressive amount of talent to the farm in the past calendar year. Here, they take a legitimate two-way talent and one of the class’s youngest players in LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger. Scouts are still split on the California native’s long-term position (though I prefer him as a bat), but Washington can afford to be patient with his development timeline. – Conor D.

12. Los Angeles Angels – Cameron Flukey, RHP | Coastal Carolina

Slot Value – $5,889,300

Flukey’s lack of innings this spring due to a rib injury clouds his draft day outlook, but he’s still one of the most advanced pitchers in the class. The Coastal Carolina ace is a physically imposing figure on the mound with excellent extension and carry through the zone on his fastball. He’s shown an innate ability to spin breakers and fills up the zone enough to project as a number two starter at the next level. Expect him to be starting in the big leagues for the Angels by Labor Day. – Conor D.

13. St. Louis Cardinals – Gio Rojas, LHP | Stoneman Douglas (FL)

Slot Value – $5,661,300

Rojas was the pick for St. Louis in our last mock, and the fit still works if he gets into this range. The Cardinals have extra pool flexibility and can use it to jump the prep arm market for the top high school lefty in the class.

Rojas has been tied as high as the top 10, with Kansas City and Atlanta both mentioned as possible landing spots before this. The Miami commit has the frame and stuff clubs look for early, with a fastball that has reached 98 mph and a slider that gives him a bat-missing weapon.

Any high school arm comes with risk this early, but Rojas has enough strike-throwing ability and mound presence to separate himself from the rest of the prep pitching group. If St. Louis passes, Miami could be the next team to watch one pick later with the in-state connection. – Adrian W.

14. Miami Marlins – Justin Lebron, SS | Alabama

Slot Value – $5,444,900

Obviously not a season as aspired for Lebron on paper, but his tools are hard to deny here with Miami that could use more shortstop assets in their system. A career .308 hitter with the ‘Tide, Lebron has captivated college baseball for the last three seasons, though questions remain about where he’ll stick defensively and his success against heaters.

Regardless, the talent is undeniable, and his floor come July will likely be within this area. Other candidates with this pick include college bats Tyler Bell and Derek Curiel. – Peyton S.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks – Tyler Bell, SS | Kentucky

Slot Value – $5,241,000

The Diamondbacks have recently trended toward the plus athleticism profile with an advanced hit tool, hence Tommy Troy and Kayson Cunningham as examples, so Tyler Bell is a shoo-in here, being still available.

Though injured for a chunk of 2026 with a shoulder injury that will require surgery, Bell’s season has been fantastic with Kentucky. Posting a higher walk rate with lower chase and strikeout rates thus far, he gets on-base a ton from both sides of the dish while providing plus defense at the six. Other candidates with this pick include fellow shortstop Eric Becker and prep Trevor Condon. – Peyton S.

16. Texas Rangers – Ryder Helfrick, C | Arkansas

Slot Value – $5,051,900

Last season, the Texas Rangers broke a seven-pick stretch of selecting college prospects, but if all goes to plan this year, they’ll return to their ways with Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick.

With the ability to easily produce more power than most catchers (and players) in the entire class, he separates himself from the pack. When adding in his defense and ability to impact a pitching staff, Helfrick becomes a truly exciting catching talent. With the Rangers possessing a younger overall staff and lacking a leader to match, this could be one of the better pairings in the entire class. – Jay S.

17. Houston Astros – Carson Bolemon, LHP | Southside Christian (SC)

Slot Value – $4,868,600

Houston has been tied more often to college bats in this range, and this is also viewed as the general floor for Justin Lebron if he slides. Bolemon gives the Astros a different route. He is more commonly projected just outside the first round, with San Francisco at No. 29 often mentioned as a landing spot after its trade for extra pool space. The question is whether he gets that far.

Bolemon is firmly in the conversation with the better prep pitchers in the class. He brings a longer track record than some of the other high school arms, throws strikes at a high clip and has the breaking-ball feel to project as a starter. His spring has been more uneven than expected, but Houston has enough early draft capital to get ahead of the high school lefty market here. – Adrian W.

18. Cincinnati Reds – A.J. Gracia, OF | Virginia

Slot Value – $4,695,500

In our first mock, we had shortstop Eric Becker slotted here, but we’ve pivoted to his teammate, A.J. Gracia. Entering 2026, Gracia carried significant buzz as one of the top left-handed bats in the class. His advanced approach remains a standout trait, evidenced by 47 walks against just 38 strikeouts while posting career-best marks in both wOBA (.494) and wRC+ (156).

Gracia’s smooth left-handed swing projects especially well for Great American Ball Park, where his pull-side power would play tremendously. Other candidates with this pick include college bats Ace Reese and Eric Becker. – Peyton S.

19. Cleveland Guardians – Tegan Kuhns, RHP | Tennessee

Slot Value – $4,530,500

Since the last time we did this mock draft, few players have risen up the boards as much as Tennessee right-hander Tegan Kuhns.

With an electric, riding fastball at the top of his arsenal and a tremendous feel for spinning the baseball to match, Kuhns lines up pretty nicely for what the Guardians have developed well previously. They may even feel like they can get a little bit more out of his slider, which, while dominant, could take a huge leap in professional baseball. This would be a fun pairing, especially if the Guardians can maximize his mix to dominate. – Jay S.

20. Boston Red Sox – Hunter Dietz, LHP | Arkansas

Slot Value – $4,373,900

Boston has several ways to go at No. 20, but Dietz keeps them in the thick of the college pitching run. We had Arizona State lefty Cole Carlon in this spot last time, and Dietz follows a similar idea as a left-hander with the pitch quality to fit Boston’s pitching development group.

The track record is shorter because of the injury history, but Dietz has pushed himself into this part of the draft. The fastball has reached the upper 90s, and the angle he creates makes the breaking stuff difficult to handle. Some boards have him closer to the comp range, but there is enough interest in this area for Boston to jump here. This pick, or the next one, could also serve as the floor for in-state prep lefty Brody Bumila if he gets this far. – Adrian W.

21. San Diego Padres – Logan Schmidt, LHP | Ganesha (CA)

Slot Value – $4,224,700

No, we did not hold Conor hostage. The Padres stay on brand with prep pitching here, and Schmidt keeps them in the high school lefty market at No. 21. San Diego is often connected to this type of arm, and Schmidt has been linked from the top 10 into the 20s.

Schmidt reclassified from the 2027 class and will still be 17 on draft day, which should appeal to model-driven clubs. His strike-throwing separates him from many prep arms in this range, and there is still projection left in the body. If he gets here, the Padres do not need to overthink the fit. – Adrian W.

22. Detroit Tigers – Trevor Condon, OF | Etowah (GA)

Slot Value – $4,082,700

Detroit has gone with prep bats with their first selection since 2023, and that won’t change here with Condon. A recent state champion with Etowah High, he brings athleticism and fiery juice aplenty when on the field.

A fantastic defender who will stick in center, he provides plus range and really intriguing arm action for the size. Condon displays elite barrel control that stays lateral, showing juice on occasion that travels to the pull-side more often. Other candidates with this pick include James Clark and Connor Comeau. – Peyton S.

23. Chicago Cubs – Ace Reese, INF | Mississippi State

Slot Value – $3,947,600

Few hitters in this year’s draft possess power on the same level as Mississippi State infielder Ace Reese. His raw juice is so impressive, in fact, that he’s able to seemingly flick his hands at the baseball and still produce 400-foot homers at over 110 mph.

The Chicago Cubs have selected a college player with their last five first-round picks, and they’d be thrilled to add another one in Reese with this pick in the draft. He’s someone who could play quite well in Chicago, as his electric power could get another boost on any day the wind blows out in Wrigley Field. Reese could climb through the minor leagues quickly and become a fun prospect in the near future. – Jay S.

24. Seattle Mariners – Cade Townsend, RHP | Ole Miss

Slot Value – $3,818,700

Townsend has slowly ascended up draft boards all spring with a kitchen sink arsenal and advanced ability to throw strikes. I think Seattle will potentially have its choice of college arms at this spot, and the former Ole Miss standout is a great fit here.

My initial comp for Townsend is Bryce Miller, so I think this connection makes a ton of sense if he’s still on the board here. Teagan Kuhns, Cole Carlon and Jack Radel are other names to watch for here. – Conor D.

25. Milwaukee Brewers – Liam Peterson, RHP | Florida

Slot Value – $3,696,000

The Brewers aren’t strangers when it comes to refining pitching command, and they would be tickled pink if Peterson were available here at 25. He’s got four pitches with distinct shapes and the ability to work anywhere in the zone, though he’ll need refining on command for both his breaking pitches. He checks the eye test and moves well on the mound while occasionally grabbing 6.5 feet of extension. Other candidates with this pick include southpaws Cole Carlon and Mason Edwards. – Peyton S.

26. Atlanta Braves – Cole Carlon, LHP | Arizona State

Slot Value – $3,578,800

Atlanta went prep arm with Brody Bumila at No. 9, so Carlon gives the Braves a different look with their second first-round pick. We had Carlon going at No. 20 last time, and if medical questions push him down the board, Atlanta has enough pool flexibility to stop the slide.

Carlon brings some of the loudest left-handed stuff in the college class. The fastball has been up to triple digits, while the slider gives him a carrying bat-missing pitch. There is some medical homework for teams to finish, but if everything checks out, this is a college lefty who could move faster than the prep arms Atlanta is also tied to in this range. – Adrian W.

27. New York Mets – Mason Edwards, LHP | USC

Slot Value – $3,466,500

Although they’ve targeted offensive prospects in most recent classes, the New York Mets have done quite well at identifying quality pitching talent as well. From Nolan McLean to Jonah Tong to Brandon Sproat, they excel in this area.

The next pitcher to add to this mix could be Mason Edwards, a left-hander from USC who is the definition of a quality arm. With three sound pitches already, he’s likely going to be a more complete pitching prospect than they’re used to landing in the draft, which should scare the rest of the league. – Jay S.

28. Houston Astros – Eric Becker, SS | Virginia

Slot Value – $3,363,600

The Astros went for ceiling with last year’s selection of prep infielder Xavier Neyens and go for more of a polished, high-floor bat with this pick in Virginia shortstop Eric Becker.

The overall numbers for Becker have ticked down slightly since his freshman campaign, but it’s still an advanced, rhythmic approach in the box from the left side and a projectable frame that could handle third base should he require a position change in the pros. He doesn’t walk a ton but makes consistently good, hard contact and should move quickly through a Houston system that is currently lacking in infield talent. – Conor D.

29. San Francisco Giants – Will Brick, C | Christian Brothers

Slot Value – $3,270,200

We can’t have Buster Posey leave the first round without a catcher, can we? After re-classifying to 2026, Brick has cemented himself as the top prep catcher in the class. Brick’s defensive prowess and double-plus arm strength immediately stand out on film, and while there’s still room to grow with the bat, there’s no denying he possesses one of the highest ceilings of any catcher in the class. – Conor D.

30. Kansas City Royals – Coleman Borthwick, RHP-1B | South Walton (FL)

Slot Value – $3,190,500

Kansas City went with Jackson Flora at No. 6, so Borthwick gives the Royals a different type of arm with their second pick. We had Sean Duncan in this spot last time, but his injury clouds where he fits now. Borthwick was off the board four picks earlier in that mock and still makes sense here if he gets to No. 30.

Borthwick has worked his way toward the back of the first round behind a fastball that has reached 100 mph. He moves well for a pitcher his size, and the ability to spin the ball gives teams more to project than pure velocity. Kansas City has the pool room to take this kind of upside swing if they want to dip into the high school pitching market. – Adrian W.

31. Arizona Diamondbacks – James Clark, SS | St. John Bosco (CA)

Slot Value – $3,118,300

With the Diamondbacks landing toolsy infielder Tyler Bell with their first pick in this mock draft, they’d theoretically have some savings to play around with at pick 31. What better way to use it than with shortstop James Clark, a Duke commit with exciting raw tools that the club has developed well previously? With an excellent eye, good instincts, and a hit-over-power profile, he could be the latest middle infielder to make some serious noise in this system. – Jay S.

32. St. Louis Cardinals – Derek Curiel, OF | LSU

Slot Value – $3,044,600

The Cardinals could go a number of directions here, but Curiel is a good fit at this spot on the board. The former Tiger has elite bat-to-ball skills and may have some more power in the tank if he gets to his pull side more often.

Curiel should move quickly through the St. Louis system and would form a formidable table-setting duo at the top of the Cards order alongside JJ Wetherholt. – Conor D.

33. Tampa Bay Rays – Cole Prosek, 3B-C | Magnolia Heights (MS)

Slot Value – $2,970,200

Boasting a significant surge over the spring, we think Cole Prosek finds his way into the Comp-A tier. Winning the 2025 PG All-American Classic MVP, he is a force in the box with vicious bat speed and obvious lower-half strength.

Likely to transition to third come pro ball, Prosek holds fine defensive instincts both on the dirt and behind the dish. Other candidates with this pick include infielders Aiden Ruiz and Jarren Advincula. – Peyton S.

34. Pittsburgh Pirates – Jack Radel, RHP | Notre Dame

Slot Value – $2,897,400

The Pittsburgh Pirates have only not selected a pitcher with their second pick in the draft just one time in the Ben Cherington era, and this trend appears to continue in 2026 with Notre Dame right-hander Jack Radel.

Originally pinpointed as one of the stronger players in the second round, Radel has climbed quickly over the past few weeks thanks to his big-time extension and deep, five-pitch mix. He’s the exact type of arm talent that the Pirates can’t seem to pass up, and he’d develop quite well in their system as a result. – Jay S.

35. New York Yankees – Aiden Ruiz, SS | The Stony Brook (NY)

Slot Value – $2,826,700

The Bronx Bombers are notoriously tough to read when it comes to the draft, but how about a standout in-state prep shortstop here? The switch-hitting shortstop lacks physicality and consistently shows good bat-to-ball skills at the plate, but the standout tool here is a potential double-plus glove at the six.

Even if Ruiz doesn’t grow into more power, there’s a higher floor than most preps simply because of the defensive ability. – Conor D.

36. Philadelphia Phillies – Connor Comeau, SS | Anderson (TX)

Slot Value – $2,758,800

Comeau is another left-handed stick that’s been surging as of late, and the idea of Philadelphia is a stellar one. Putting together a fantastic 2025 summer and fall, he understands the zone well beyond his years, with additional power on the way soon.

He can spray the baseball to all fields, while lifting the ball into gaps and often also over fences. Comeau will transition to a corner, whether it’s an infield or outfield spot, in the near future, but has the arm strength to fulfill the role. Other candidates with this pick include preps Blake Bowen and Archer Horn. – Peyton S.

37. Colorado Rockies – Jarren Advincula, 2B | Georgia Tech

Slot Value – $2,696,700

Although Drew Burress and Vahn Lackey get most of the airspace when talking about draft-eligible Georgia Tech players this year, second baseman Jarren Advincula is quite exciting in his own right. With a contact-first profile that looks to be one of the strongest hit tools in the class, he’s a shoo-in to be a top-of-the-order bat for years to come.

He complements Sawyer Strosnider quite well, and he could be the next pick of a Rockies class that has a chance to be one of the strongest in recent memory, as they have three first-round picks on day one. – Jay S.

38. Colorado Rockies – Caden Sorrell, OF | Texas A&M

Slot Value – $2,633,100

Putting together his best season as an Aggie, his offensive profile in Coors Field would be stellar. Smashing nearly 45 extra-base hits with a .501 wOBA, he attains obvious bat speed with a slight upward swing trajectory.

A good mover in the outfield, he has the ability to stick in center with the possibility of moving to left. If Colorado selects Sorrell and improves his contact rates against offspeed, look out. Other candidates with this pick include outfielders Blake Bowen and Aiden Robbins. – Peyton S.

39. Toronto Blue Jays – Blake Bowen, OF | JSerra (CA)

Slot Value – $2,571,500

Bowen is one of the most physically gifted players in the class and represents excellent value at this pick for Toronto. A decorated high school football player in the state of California, he looks the part and has exciting plus raw power. The profile likely suggests a spot in right field long term, but there’s enough athleticism to warrant a shot in center field.

Bowen will be a tough sign away from Oregon State, but he could be a welcome addition to the Toronto system if they’re able to get a deal done. – Conor D.

40. Los Angeles Dodgers – Archer Horn, SS | St. Ignatius (CA)

Slot Value – $2,504,200

The Dodgers may not have the luxury of a bunch of picks or bonus pool money, but you just know they’ll wind up with a really good player here. They seem more likely to make a splash at 40 and fill the rest of their board with older college players, so in this scenario, they wind up with in-state two-way standout and current Stanford commit Archer Horn.

Horn is an exciting athlete who operates with feel for the barrel in the box and continues to grow into burgeoning power as he gets older. – Conor D.