Here's a look at the top 2026 MLB draft prospects, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. The rankings are based on the FV (Future Value) system, which evaluates players' potential based on their age, skills, and performance. The top players in the draft are primarily college position players, with some high school prospects also making the cut.
Top 10 Prospects:
1. Roch Cholowsky (SS, UCLA) - A late first- to early second-round prospect in the 2023 draft, Cholowsky has shown significant improvement, with 23 homers and a 1.190 OPS in 2024. He's a plus defender with a plus arm and raw power.
2. Grady Emerson (SS, Fort Worth Christian HS) - The top player in the 2026 prep class, Emerson is a 6-foot-2 lefty-hitting shortstop with above-average tools. He lacks the electric tools of some top prospects but is still a strong contender.
3. Justin Lebron (SS, Alabama) - Lebron has been a consistent top-three prospect, but some scouts' concerns about his hit tool may impact his ranking.
4. Jackson Flora (RHP, UC Santa Barbara) - Flora has front-line potential with a fastball sitting 96-99 mph and above-average shape/movement.
50 FV Tier:
5. Drew Burress (CF, Georgia Tech) - Burress has a healthy hack at the plate and looks like a center fielder, with a .356 batting average and 44 homers.
6. Derek Curiel (CF, LSU) - Curiel can hit with medium power and might be a center fielder, similar to Carson Benge of the Mets.
7. Cameron Flukey (RHP, Coastal Carolina) - Flukey has a fastball and starter traits among the best in the draft, but his breaking stuff is fringy.
8. Gio Rojas (LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS) - Rojas is older for the class but has four above-average pitches and has been a standout prospect for years.
45+ FV Tier:
9. AJ Gracia (CF, Virginia) - Gracia's swing can get uphill at times, but he has real offensive upside.
10. Kevin Roberts Jr. (CF, Jackson Prep HS) - Roberts Jr. is a power-over-hit type with a chance to break into the top nine players.
11. Tyler Spangler (SS, De La Salle HS) - Spangler is a hit-first player with defensive value.
12. Rocco Maniscalco (SS, Oxford HS) - Maniscalco reclassified from the 2027 class and is one of the youngest potential first-rounders.
40+ FV Tier:
13. Eric Booth Jr. (CF, Oak Grove HS) - Booth Jr. is a rising star with a .356 batting average and 44 homers.
14. Joey Volchko (RHP, Georgia) - Volchko is a riser from the opening weekend of the college season, with a fastball sitting 94-97 mph.
15. Joseph Contreras (RHP, Blessed Trinity Catholic HS) - Contreras has a background similar to Bubba Chandler and has spiked his stuff recently.
16. Zion Rose (CF, Louisville) - Rose has a combination of power and hit tools that make him a strong contender.
Controversial Point:
The rankings are subject to change as the spring progresses and more information becomes available. Some scouts have differing opinions on players just outside the top nine, and the draft's depth is primarily college hitters with all kinds of profiles within this tier.
