Top Prospects Emerge for MLB Draft
The upcoming Major League Baseball Draft is drawing near, with top prospects undergoing final evaluations. The draft scouting combine in Phoenix provided an opportunity for teams to conduct interviews and get to know the draftees, a crucial step before the selection event in Philadelphia.
Among the leading talents, Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop from UCLA, has maintained his position as a consensus top prospect. His performance during his sophomore year, where he hit .353/.480/.710, contributed to this standing. Cholowsky’s junior year statistics were slightly lower, but he is recognized for his defensive skills at shortstop, possessing a strong arm and good instincts.
Another notable player is Vahn Lackey, a catcher from Georgia Tech, whose offensive surge has elevated his draft stock. Lackey finished his season hitting .397/.519/.772, showcasing strong plate discipline and athleticism behind the plate. His ability to stay at catcher adds significant value, though Cholowsky is noted for having more power upside.
Grady Emerson, a high school shortstop from Fort Worth Christian HS, is considered a leading high school position player. His hitting ability and defensive instincts at shortstop are key attributes, with projections suggesting his power could develop further.
Draft Projections and Team Considerations
The Chicago White Sox hold the first overall pick and are reportedly still evaluating their options. There is an indication that drafting a college shortstop like Cholowsky, who presents minimal risk, could be a favored approach. The White Sox also possess a significant bonus pool of $17.592 million to allocate.
The Tampa Bay Rays, picking second, may consider Grady Emerson, a high-ceiling talent. The Minnesota Twins, with the third pick, are projected to select Vahn Lackey, recognizing his potential as an elite-hitting catcher. The San Francisco Giants are also looking at prep shortstops, with Jacob Lombard from Gulliver Prep (Fla.) HS being a potential choice.
Pitching prospects are also in consideration, with Jackson Flora, a right-handed pitcher from UC Santa Barbara, being a prominent name. He is recognized for his strong pitching profile, including a fastball that can reach 100 mph and effective off-speed pitches. The Pittsburgh Pirates, picking fifth, could select Flora if he is still available.
Other potential first-round selections include outfielder Eric Booth from Oak Grove (Miss.) for the Kansas City Royals and outfielder Drew Burress from Georgia Tech for the Baltimore Orioles. Burress has a career 1.204 OPS and tied a career home run mark with 57 during his time at Georgia Tech.
Player Profiles and Performance Data
Roch Cholowsky‘s collegiate career at UCLA concluded with a slash line of .329/.448/.624 over three seasons. His data indicates strong contact skills, with an 82.2% overall contact rate and an 88.9% zone contact rate in his final year. He also demonstrates significant power, with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 108.1 mph and an average exit velocity of 93 mph. His plate approach is characterized by a good understanding of the strike zone, swinging at pitches outside the zone only 19.1% of the time.
Vahn Lackey‘s impressive season saw him achieve a .397/.519/.772 slash line. His contact skills are above average, reflected by an 82.1% contact rate and an 87.2% zone contact rate. Lackey also exhibits strong power metrics, with a 90th percentile exit velocity of 107.8 mph and an average exit velocity of 93 mph. His approach at the plate is described as passive, with a 35.2% swing rate, which leads to a high number of walks.
Drew Burress, an outfielder from Georgia Tech, completed his three-year collegiate career with a .357/.484/.720 slash line and 60 home runs. His contact ability is above average, with an 87.8% in-zone contact rate in his final season. Burress’s power is a significant asset, shown by a 90th percentile exit velocity of 109.1 mph and an average exit velocity of 92.9 mph. He is particularly effective against fastballs, but his contact rates against spin and off-speed pitches outside the zone tend to decrease.
Tyler Bell, a draft-eligible sophomore from Kentucky, was previously a 66th pick in the 2024 draft. Despite a shoulder injury, he had a strong season, hitting .352/.517/.602 before the conference tournament. Bell is a disciplined switch-hitter with above-average power and a high on-base percentage upside. His injury may necessitate surgery after the draft, potentially delaying his professional debut until the spring of 2027.
The MLB Draft is scheduled to begin on July 14.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.