MLB Mock Draft Updates: Prep Hitters Emerge In The Compensation Rounds

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It’s been a few weeks since we checked in on the 2026 draft. Since our last entry, several industry boards have been updated. That will be the pattern from now until July. There will be beginning of June updates, beginning of July updates, and constant, final shuffling in the few days leading up to the draft.

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A Prep Duo Form Tier 2 of the Board

In our last update, we talked through the consensus top four players, made up of Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, Vahn Lackey, and Jackson Flora. A second tier has emerged. Jacob Lombard, a prep shortstop out of Florida, with possibly the highest ceiling in class, is now locked into the fifth spot on the board, with a consensus ranking of 6.8. Lombard has rebounded well this spring from a rough summer. There are still hit-tool questions, but it might be 70 power, 70 run, and a 60 glove at shortstop. That won’t last long.

He’s followed in sixth place by Mississippi prep outfielder EJ Booth, with a consensus ranking of 7.75. Booth has some swing work to do from this seat, but the tools are loud. He has 70-grade speed and serious bat speed that’s starting to translate into more effective in-game power. He’ll likely go inside the top ten.

A Second College Catcher Ascends

Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick has skyrocketed up industry boards this season. In fact, he’s one of the few college bats who hasn’t been a little spotty, offensively. But for Vahn Lackey, he’d be a worthy top catcher in a typical draft class. At the time of writing, he’s managed a 1.022 OPS, with 15 home runs (21 extra base hits), a 21.5% walk rate, and a measly 17.7% strikeout rate in 51 games. Helfrick has a plus arm and has the chops to stick behind the dish as a pro. He’s currently 13th on the board with a consensus ranking of 13.42 entering the final few weeks of the regular season.

Prep Hitters Aplenty in the 30-50 Range

There’s a fun group of prep hitters gathering in the 30-50 range of the consensus board. This cluster of prospects will likely start being selected at the back of the first round, through Comp Round B. Despite that wide range of possible pick positions, they’ll all command solid bonuses in the $1-3 million range, and it’s likely some make it to campus.

James Clark (37th) is a prep shortstop out of California with excellent bat-to-ball skills but an uncertain defensive home. Bo Lowrance (39th) is a 6’5 third baseman out of South Carolina with a good chance to have an above-average hit and power combo, and Cole Prosek (49th) out of Mississippi might have one of the best hit tools in the high school side in the class. California two-way player Archer Horn (47th), Landon Thome (son of Jim, 55th), and South Carolina shortstop Taj Marchand (58th) all deserve mentions for their continual march up the board.

Check out our 2026 mock draft board, updated regularly, and with detailed player write-ups!

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