With just over two weeks remaining before the June 2026 MLB Draft, Baseball America has issued its revised top 500 rankings, focusing specifically on the top 200 prospects. This update reflects recent evaluations and performance insights from industry experts, albeit with less significant movement compared to earlier updates in the cycle.
First-Round Insights
In the first round, notable movements among some top players have emerged. Tyler Bell, a shortstop from Kentucky, has made a rise of two spots to secure the 9th position. Similarly, outfielder Derek Curiel from LSU has jumped three spots to now hold the 10th spot. These players represent a considerable tier among college hitting prospects.
Conversely, two players have slipped from the top 10: Chris Hacopian from Texas A&M and Cameron Flukey from Coastal Carolina, dropping to 11th and 13th respectively. Hacopian is facing scrutiny regarding his athleticism, while Flukey's spring performance has raised concerns about his consistency.
Looking slightly beyond the first ten picks, Brody Bumila, a left-hander from Massachusetts, has seen his stock fall due to a dip in both velocity and command during his final starts. On the other hand, Taylor Rabe from Ole Miss has made a significant jump, moving from 39th to 29th after showcasing dominant performances that positioned him as one of the standout pitching prospects from his team.
- Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky (+2 spots to No. 9)
- Derek Curiel, OF, LSU (+3 spots to No. 10)
- Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M (-4 spots to No. 11)
- Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina (-4 spots to No. 13)
- Taylor Rabe, RHP, Ole Miss (+10 spots to No. 29)
- Brody Bumila, LHP, Bishop Feehan HS, Attleboro, Mass. (-12 spots to No. 34)
Emerging Talents Inside the Top 100
This latest draft update didn’t introduce high-profile newcomers to the top 100; however, it did see three players who previously ranked just outside breaking into that range. Notable among these are Will Adams, a high school outfielder, Shane Sdao, a left-handed pitcher from Texas A&M, and Myles Bailey, a first baseman from Florida State. Each made modest jumps of 9 to 15 spots, affirming their positions as promising top-three-round prospects.
- Will Adams, OF/1B, Hoover (Ala.) HS (+14 spots to No. 87)
- Shane Sdao, LHP, Texas A&M (+14 spots to No. 90)
- Myles Bailey, 1B, Florida State (+9 spots to No. 94)
Noteworthy Risers Beyond the Top 100
Outside the top 100, several players have made notable advancements, reflecting a mix of strong finishes to the season and enhanced evaluations. Among them, Peyton Bonds, an outfielder from Rutgers, has surged by an impressive 45 spots to now rank 109th. His rise exemplifies a trend of industry confidence in lesser-known talents.
Other players demonstrating significant improvements include Elliot Lascelles, who jumped 48 spots to 113, and Jaxon Willits, who rose 22 spots, landing him at 131. Such movements highlight not only performance but also depth in scouting assessment as more detailed evaluations have come through.
- Peyton Bonds, OF, Rutgers (+45 spots to No. 109)
- Eli Herst, RHP, Seattle Academy (+16 spots to No. 111)
- Elliot Lascelles, SS, Upper Canada College HS, Toronto, Ont. (+48 spots to No. 113)
- Carson Kerce, SS, Georgia Tech (+18 spots to No. 116)
- Lucas Nawrocki, LHP, Aledo (Texas) HS (+23 spots to No. 121)
- Martin Shelar, OF, Marist HS, Atlanta, Ga. (+23 spots to No. 122)
- Ethan Norby, LHP, East Carolina (+18 spots to No. 128)
- Trey Beard, LHP, Florida State (+22 spots to No. 129)
- Trey Ebel, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS (+62 spots to No. 142)
- Nu’u Contrades, 3B/2B, Arizona State (+98 spots to No. 250)
- Jack Dugan, SS, Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. (+208 spots to No. 293)
Recent Draft Withdrawals
As draft season heats up, several players have begun withdrawing their names from consideration, impacting their draft eligibility. Will Yow, a shortstop from Virginia, is among the most notable to withdraw, stepping away after previously being ranked 138th. College player Steven Milam from LSU has also opted out, falling from an earlier ranking of 84.
- Will Yow, SS, St. Anne’s-Bellfield HS, Charlottesville, Va.
- Steven Milam, SS, LSU
- Cade Kurland, 2B, Florida
- Hudson Brown, 1B, Kentucky
- Braxton Beaty, LHP, Angleton (Tex.) HS
As the draft date approaches, avid fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how these shifts will influence team strategies and player potential in the 2026 MLB Draft.
