College baseball is underway with the regular season kicking off last Friday, while pitchers and catchers have started arriving for MLB spring training. In anticipation of the 2026 MLB Draft, MLB Pipeline has unveiled its preseason College All-Prospect team, highlighting the best college talent at each position and spotlighting the 2026 MLB Draft prospects catching the most attention.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) leads with five players on the list, followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Big 12 with two each, and one prospect each from the Big Ten and Sun Belt conferences. The 2026 MLB Draft itself is set for July 12-13 in Philadelphia, with the Chicago White Sox holding the first overall pick.
Vahn Lackey Emerges as Premier Catcher from Georgia Tech
Vahn Lackey has firmly established himself as the leading catcher in the 2026 draft class. After a challenging freshman year at Georgia Tech in 2024, when he hit just .214 across 103 plate appearances, Lackey made a significant leap as a sophomore in 2025. He posted an impressive .347 batting average with six home runs and 42 RBIs, while also elevating his defensive capabilities behind the plate. His standout sophomore campaign has positioned him as a likely top-ten selection this summer.
Brady Ballinger Anchors First Base for Kansas
At first base, Brady Ballinger showed consistent power and plate discipline for Kansas last season. Participating in 58 games, he compiled a .353 average, 16 homers, and 56 RBIs, combining to deliver a 1.164 OPS. His ability to balance 44 strikeouts with 56 walks over 289 plate appearances reflected mature hitting skills. Returning to Kansas, Ballinger is expected to continue batting in the heart of the order and could solidify a first-round spot in 2026 if he maintains his offensive production.
Chris Rembert Stands Out as a Versatile Second Base Candidate
Draft-eligible sophomore Chris Rembert from Auburn is recognized as the top second baseman in this draft cycle. Rembert exhibits a well-rounded offensive skill set, blending contact hitting with meaningful power. In 2025 as a freshman, he hit .344, launched 10 home runs, and drove in 46 runs, producing a 1.022 OPS. His plate discipline showed in 37 walks against 36 strikeouts, and he contributed four stolen bases. Defensively, while primarily a second baseman with 41 appearances, Rembert also took the field in right and left outfield, showcasing his adaptability.
Ace Reese’s Power Bat Anchors Mississippi State at Third Base
Ace Reese transferred from Houston after his freshman year and blossomed at Mississippi State as one of the nation’s premier hitters in 2025. Posting a .352 batting average, Reese blasted 21 homers and tallied 66 RBIs, culminating in a strong 1.140 OPS. Although he struck out 52 times compared to 26 walks, Reese is recognized for his elite power, making him a significant threat as one of the draft’s top power-hitting third basemen.
Roch Cholowsky Leads as Top Shortstop and Draft Favorite
Consensus choice for the number one overall pick, UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky, commands the shortstop position on the College All-Prospect team. In 2025, Cholowsky hit .353 with 23 home runs and 74 RBIs, accompanied by a 1.190 OPS. Demonstrating solid plate discipline, he walked 45 times versus 30 strikeouts. Over two collegiate seasons, his totals include 31 homers with a career batting average of .333, confirming his status as a premier talent in the class.
Drew Burress’s Consistent Production Highlights Georgia Tech Outfield
Drew Burress burst onto the college baseball scene in 2024, launching nine home runs in his first eight games and finishing that season with a remarkable .381 average and 25 homers. While his 2025 numbers dipped slightly, Burress still produced a strong .333 average with 19 home runs and 62 RBIs. His impressive 1.162 OPS over two years at Georgia Tech, combined with a disciplined approach reflected in 111 walks against 79 strikeouts, secures him a top spot among outfield prospects.
Derek Curiel Brings High Ceiling for LSU in the Outfield
LSU’s Derek Curiel, another draft-eligible sophomore, ranks among the most promising players in the 2026 draft class. In his freshman campaign of 2025, Curiel posted a .345 batting average with seven home runs, 55 RBIs, and 29 extra-base hits. Initially starting 62 games in left field, Curiel is projected to see increased time in center field as a sophomore, a position shift that could enhance his overall draft value.
Sawyer Strosnider Steps Up as a Key Outfielder for TCU
TCU’s Sawyer Strosnider quickly established himself as a crucial contributor in 2025, batting .350 with 11 home runs, 51 RBIs, and a 1.070 OPS. Despite 47 strikeouts to 20 walks, Strosnider’s hitting prowess places him among the top outfield prospects, with the potential to rise further if his walk rate improves in the upcoming season.
Justin Lebron: Alabama’s Powerhouse Designated Hitter
Justin Lebron’s inclusion on the College All-Prospect team as a designated hitter was inevitable given his performance at Alabama. As a freshman in 2024, he batted .338 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs. His sophomore season saw slight declines in average to .316 but an uptick in power and run production with 18 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a 1.058 OPS. Additionally, Lebron showcased base-running skills with 17 stolen bases, though he must reduce his 68 strikeouts to improve further. He remains a projected top-five pick entering 2026.
Left-Handed Pitching Talent: Hunter Dietz from Arkansas
Hunter Dietz’s journey at Arkansas since 2024 has been hampered by arm injuries, limiting him to just 1.2 innings pitched over two seasons. Despite minimal playing time, his raw ability—highlighted by three plus pitches including a fastball reaching 99 mph—earns him recognition as the top left-handed pitcher prospect on the list.
Coastal Carolina’s Cameron Flukey Emerges as Leading Right-Handed Arm
Cameron Flukey impressed early as a freshman in 2024, recording 83 strikeouts against 27 walks despite a 5.73 ERA in 19 appearances. In 2025, he became integral to Coastal Carolina’s deep postseason run, starting 17 games with a 3.19 ERA and 118 strikeouts over 1.00 WHIP. His performance positions him as the premier right-handed pitcher in this class and a potential top-five overall selection in the draft.
The Top 10 College Prospects for the 2026 MLB Draft
- Roch Cholowsky (Shortstop, UCLA): Leading candidate for first overall pick with a dynamic bat and advanced plate discipline.
- Ace Reese (Third Base, Mississippi State): Power hitter with a 21-homer sophomore season after transferring from Houston.
- Drew Burress (Outfield, Georgia Tech): Early impact hitter exhibiting consistent home run power and OPS over 1.160.
- Justin Lebron (Designated Hitter, Alabama): Versatile slugger with speed and the potential for a top-five selection.
- Brady Ballinger (First Base, Kansas): Consistent offensive producer with a .353 average and notable power numbers.
- Chris Rembert (Second Base, Auburn): Versatile hitter with an all-around offensive skill set and positional flexibility.
- Derek Curiel (Outfield, LSU): High-upside sophomore with a strong batting average and extra-base hit count.
- Sawyer Strosnider (Outfield, TCU): Emerging young hitter with solid power and potential for growth in plate discipline.
- Vahn Lackey (Catcher, Georgia Tech): Defensive improvements complement his offensive breakout at the catcher position.
- Cameron Flukey (Right-Handed Pitcher, Coastal Carolina): Strikeout specialist with strong postseason performances and top righty prospect status.
The 2026 MLB Draft prospects from these college programs reflect a blend of proven performance and significant potential. Their rising profiles within their conferences and on the national stage highlight the depth of talent expected to energize the draft, especially with the Chicago White Sox readying to make the first overall pick. Observers will be watching these players’ summer and preseason performances closely as they continue to develop into future major leaguers.
