The 2026 MLB Draft has arrived, as elite players from the high school and college levels will soon learn where they could start their professional baseball careers. At No. 1 is the Chicago White Sox, followed by the Tampa Bay Rays at No. 2 and the Minnesota Twins at No. 3.
UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey are the draft's top prospects. White Sox vice president of amateur scouting Mike Shirley told ESPN all three are in consideration for No. 1, providing plenty of intrigue to the top of the draft.
This year's draft has 37 first-round picks because of MLB's Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) and Competitive Balance Round A picks. Teams are awarded a PPI pick if a preseason top-100 prospect makes the Opening Day roster and either wins Rookie of the Year or places top three in MVP or Cy Young voting. MLB awards Competitive Balance Round A picks to teams either in the 10 smallest markets or the 10 smallest revenue pools.
Here's a look at where teams slot in the first round of the MLB Draft, which will air this afternoon on NBC and MLB Network.
Note: * indicates Prospect Promotion Incentive pick; ** indicates Competitive Balance Round A picks