The 2026 MLB Draft is three months away, with the first pick coming on July 12th. While Roch Cholowsky was considered the sure-fire number one overall pick in the preseason, several college prospects have recently climbed draft boards. Due to strong performances and a weaker high school draft class, these two hitters and two pitchers are among the biggest MLB Draft risers from the college ranks.
MLB Draft Positional Risers in the 2026 College Baseball Season
AJ Gracia – OF (University of Virginia)
The 2026 draft is loaded from a college hitter standpoint. The number one overall pick in the draft is likely to be a college shortstop, with at least one other college shortstop being drafted in the top 10. However, AJ Gracia’s season has allowed him to rise to a potential top-five pick. Gracia followed his manager from Duke and transferred to Virginia, going into his draft year. The outfielder has hit .328 on the season with nine bombs. He is also currently on pace for his third straight 1.000+ OPS season. Offensively, Gracia has an advanced approach, having drawn over 40 walks in his first two seasons, and controls the barrel well, shown by his power numbers. Defensively, he is likely a left fielder long term. Gracia is not the fastest player in the world and has a below-average arm.
AJ Gracia extends the lead for Virginia with an oppo 2 run home run!
One of the top bats for the 2026 MLB Draft. #2 on the @JustBB_Media college board.pic.twitter.com/ZPuVF16urV
— The College Baseball Show (@CollegeBSBShow) March 13, 2026
Vahn Lackey – C (Georgia Tech)
Georgia Tech has one of the best offenses in baseball, and Vahn Lackey has separated himself from the rest of his teammates at the plate. While he has the protection of at least one more first-rounder around him, Lackey has raked and risen through the college ranks. He is having his best season to date, hitting .405 with 11 home runs. This power outburst has confirmed a lot of scouts’ questions about his home run potential. While Lackey has always been a physical athlete, he had yet to hit more than six home runs during his first two college seasons. This is due to his flat swing. However, his strength and aggressiveness could lead to at least average power at the big league level. Defensively, he has also shown improvement receiving to go along with his plus arm behind the dish.
ACC Midseason Player of the Year: Vahn Lackey
“His freakish athleticism alone puts Lackey as one of the top 2 catching prospects in the 2026 Draft.”
.414/.531/.819, 11 HR in 32 G. The @GTBaseball catcher is the ACC POY frontrunner. @Monty2740 w/ more ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/E87YeIPTvQ
— The College Baseball Show (@CollegeBSBShow) April 9, 2026
Helium Pitchers
Jackson Flora – RHP (UC Santa Barbara)
Jackson Flora could be the second top-five pick in two years from UC Santa Barbara. Last year, the Angels took Tyler Bremner with the number two pick in the draft, and he may have had a chance to make the Angels’ Opening Day roster. However, Flora may have the better stuff of the two pitchers. Flora has a top-end fastball, throws two sliders, and has an average changeup. Flora’s two sliders vary in velocity and shape. He will likely change the one to a more cutter-like movement to work off the slider and fastball, which has armside run and carry. Additionally, thanks to his size and physicality, he profiles as a workhorse down the long term. If he can gain a little more feel for pitching, there’s no reason he can’t rise to be a top-of-the-rotation arm.
Jackson Flora is electric.
100 mph
99 mph
98 mph pic.twitter.com/WQEsWLZNYE— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 14, 2026
Mason Edwards – LHP (USC)
Mason Edwards went into his junior season with a full-time starting position for the first time. During his early time at USC, he was mostly a swing man. Now going into his draft season, Edwards has taken a full-time spot in the rotation, and USC couldn’t be more thankful. His strong performance on the mound with a 1.10 ERA is why he has risen on draft boards this spring. While Edwards might not throw in the upper 90s, he adds a curve and changeup into his mix. His fastball still finds a way to miss bats. The biggest red flag for Edwards this season was his struggle at UCLA. This may raise concerns because UCLA has one of the best lineups in college baseball.
The arms on the west coast continue to shove! @USC_Baseball’s Mason Edwards tonight:
6 IP
2 H
0 R
2 BB
11 KThe lefty has 42 K in 24 IP 🔥pic.twitter.com/Tv55etvPTa
— The College Baseball Show (@CollegeBSBShow) March 7, 2026
Main Photo Credit: © Angela Piazza/Caller-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
