The MLB draft sits two months out, making now ideal for our initial 2026 mock draft.

With a compelling competition emerging for picks 1 through 40, this forecast details selections for all 30 teams.

High school playoffs and college tournaments remain, leaving room for shifts. The draft combine matters for Rounds 3-5 talents, but private sessions and team evaluations will decide first-round fates based on season-long scouting.

Below is a projection for how the draft's early picks might unfold on July 11 in Philadelphia.

1. Chicago White Sox

Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA

White Sox supporters might feel uneasy, as this top choice has grown trickier since last month's view. Buzz suggests Cholowsky and Grady Emerson sit nearly even at 50/50 for Chicago. Cholowsky edges it slightly, holding a 55-60% edge due to his big-league readiness.

Other clubs see Emerson's greater ceiling and bonus savings for later rounds, while Cholowsky backers highlight his near-term shortstop potential with lower risk.

A wrinkle involves challengers from below. Giants rumors persist about chasing Cholowsky or Emerson at No. 4 with overslot deals, boosted by trading for the 29th pick and its $3.3 million pool boost.

Giants eye prep southpaws there too, aiming to sway the top. Could they lure one with big money, forcing teams to pass? Doubtful, yet viable after their 2008 Posey strategy.

2. Tampa Bay Rays

Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (TX)

Expect Emerson, Cholowsky, or maybe Vahn Lackey here. Lackey lacks deep discount appeal as a likely third pick, but remains an option.

3. Minnesota Twins

Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech

Consensus ranks Lackey firmly third after the top duo. Twins sit perfectly to grab whoever drops, with no bonus issues hinted, undercutting Giants' plan.

4. San Francisco Giants

Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS (FL)

Lombard heats up, alongside Jackson Flora and Eric Booth Jr. Giants pivot to upside and preps: Lombard fits perfectly.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

Lombard, Booth Jr., and Flora top whispers, all gone by seven. Pirates' rising contention may favor Flora's college polish over raw prep bats.

6. Kansas City Royals

Eric Booth Jr., CF, Oak Grove HS (MS)

This flow hands K.C. the class' peak ceiling, though Booth needs hitting work for 30/30 dreams. Prep lefties draw underslot talk here.

7. Baltimore Orioles

Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas

Helfrick's contact surged this year, patching his key gap. He and Drew Burress match Baltimore's mold if top preps vanish. Alabama's Justin Lebron dips but aligns historically.

8. Athletics

Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M

Hacopian's ceiling varies; he might slip a dozen spots. A's scout Booth Jr., but unlikely; Burress or Cameron Flukey suit too.

9. Atlanta Braves

Drew Burress, CF, Georgia Tech

Braves eyed high school Burress before; mixed views on contact and center field give them a shot. Hacopian or Jared Grindlinger work, or top prep lefty underslot.

10. Colorado Rockies

Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina

New regime starts safe with college arm, eyeing prep lefties later. Flukey's rib recovery could swing him; prior college bats fit if sliding.

11. Washington Nationals

Jared Grindlinger, RF/LHP, Huntington Beach HS (CA)

Grindlinger links to this range and Nats post-reclass. Broad appeal keeps him from 20s. Two-way star, now hitter-first with pitching plus; pitcher-only drops to comp second.

12. Los Angeles Angels

Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida

Angels stick to college vets, though some went early. Peterson's 4.28 ERA slows ascent, but stuff shines inside 20. Curiel or priors fit.

13. St. Louis Cardinals

Derek Curiel, CF, LSU

Options abound without sparks. Curiel offers SEC-proven bat; Lebron moonshot; Trevor Condon hot prep center lacking power; Strosnider, Robbins balance.

14. Miami Marlins

Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama

Early Booth Jr. floor, now unlikely. Marlins seek athletic upside over polish. Local Lebron maximizes ceiling here, or teens later.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks

Trevor Condon, CF, Etowah HS (GA)

Condon climbs into top 20 shot. Flat zone with dozen equals, but he matches D-backs history best.

16. Texas Rangers

Sawyer Strosnider, CF, TCU

Uncertainty reigns; scouts query survivors. Mid-range for Strosnider, a Texas local.

17. Houston Astros

Aiden Robbins, CF, Texas

Strosnider-Robbins duo as power-first Texas college OFs split to locals. Robbins goes soon after.

18. Cincinnati Reds

Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State

Carlon rises as fast mover with relief risk, elite fastball/slider. College arms like those below may invade top 10 underslot for quick returns.

19. Cleveland Guardians

Mason Edwards, LHP, USC

Edwards fits: lefty stuff, relief risk, big stats. Prep lefties (Schmidt, Rojas, Bolemon, Bumila, Duncan) enter contention here.

20. Boston Red Sox

Bo Lowrance, 3B, Christ Church Episcopal HS (SC)

Lowrance buzzes in 20s (agreed); Grindlinger floor if sliding.

21. San Diego Padres

Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS (FL)

Padres' prep lefty tradition endures. Rojas tops, but Schmidt or Bumila possible.

22. Detroit Tigers

Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky

Bell's shoulder clouds stock, but skills land 15-30 based on medicals.

23. Chicago Cubs

A.J. Gracia, RF, Virginia

Gracia, Becker hurt; early top-15 hype cools with velo drop, but value here.

24. Seattle Mariners

Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee

Kuhns surges post-bullpen, hot for higher.

25. Milwaukee Brewers

Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha HS (CA)

Big Schmidt hits 97+ with mix; first-half interest, back-half fit.

26. Atlanta Braves

Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS (FL)

Borthwick ramped to triple digits; frame/arm suit select teams, Braves prep righty fans.

27. New York Mets

Cade Townsend, RHP, Ole Miss

Strong close lifts Townsend; floor here, Mets snag college arms or upside bats.

28. Houston Astros

Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas

Board favors Astros college pitcher (also No. 17). Dietz's injuries limit sample; clear medicals boost to Carlon range or better.