college baseball juniors MLB draft talent
The junior class in college baseball typically garners heightened attention due to draft eligibility, and the 2026 cohort is no exception. As players near the transition from collegiate to professional ranks, their performances serve dual purposes: impacting their teams’ success and influencing MLB evaluations.
This group offers a blend of polished skills and untapped potential, often serving as the fulcrum of national discussions throughout the season. Highlighting a selection of 15 juniors poised to make significant impacts, it’s clear that both pitchers and position players in this class carry distinct traits that separate them from peers. Their abilities and statistical outputs provide a glimpse into the future of the sport’s talent pipeline.
Trey Beard, a left-handed pitcher from Florida State, represents a compelling case of effectiveness combined with unique mechanics. Standing 6-foot-9, Beard’s over-the-top release point creates a challenging angle for hitters, enhancing the perceived velocity of his low-90s fastball.
In 2025, he recorded a 3.14 ERA with 118 strikeouts against 32 walks over 86 innings, showcasing command and control uncommon for a pitcher of his frame and style. His arsenal extends beyond his fastball, featuring a mid-70s changeup with late drop that confounds batters and complementary breaking pitches (2026 MLB draft) (college baseball juniors). Beard’s ability to maintain deception and mix pitches is expected to be tested against ACC competition in 2026, where his unorthodox delivery could continue to pay dividends (Baseball America, 2025).
Tre Broussard of Houston exemplifies steady offensive and defensive production. His 2025 season culminated in a .292 batting average with 20 extra-base hits and 31 stolen bases, underscoring his speed and contact skills.
Broussard’s approach prioritizes putting the ball in play over raw power, allowing him to generate value through baserunning and defensive versatility in center field. His performance in the Cape Cod League, where he earned all-star game MVP honors with a .296 average, further solidifies his profile as a reliable catalyst at the top of the lineup. His game may not dazzle, but it’s the consistency and impact in multiple facets that make him a player to watch (Baseball America, 2025).
Drew Burress from Georgia Tech offers a contrasting profile as a dynamic hitter despite a smaller frame. His freshman year was extraordinary, posting a slash line of .381/.512/.821 with 25 home runs, combining exceptional power and plate discipline.
While some scouts question how his 5-foot-9, 175-pound build will endure at the professional level, Burress’s bat speed and ability to punish mistakes are undeniable. His sophomore campaign reaffirmed his offensive prowess with a .333 average, 23 doubles, and 19 homers. Beyond offense, Burress covers center field with speed and a plus arm, making him a comprehensive contributor.
His profile highlights the ongoing debate between raw physical tools and refined skill sets in projecting future success (Baseball America, 2025).
Cole Carlon college baseball development
Cole Carlon’s transformation from a struggling reliever into Arizona State’s bullpen stalwart is a testament to adaptability and development. After a challenging freshman campaign marked by a 7.52 ERA, Carlon excelled in the Alaska League, winning MVP honors through his dual-threat pitching and hitting.
His 2025 season featured a 3.33 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 54 innings, primarily relying on a mid-90s fastball and a high-spin gyro slider that generated a 56% whiff rate. Carlon’s ability to command two primary pitches with such effectiveness positions him for a potential move into the starting rotation, contingent on adding a third reliable pitch and refining control. His projectable 6-foot-5 frame and athleticism add further intrigue to his development trajectory (Baseball America, 2025).
Jackson Flora of UC Santa Barbara emerges as a mid-major ace candidate with an electric fastball sitting in the mid-to-upper 90s, frequently touching triple digits. Flora’s 2025 line included 86 strikeouts and only 17 walks over 75 innings, signaling advanced command and strike-throwing ability (college baseball) (2026 MLB draft) (college baseball juniors).
His slider exhibits plus lateral movement, and while his changeup remains in progress, his overall arsenal and velocity have elevated him into national conversations typically dominated by power-conference prospects. Flora’s rise reflects the increasing depth of talent outside traditional baseball powerhouses and the importance of velocity paired with command in today’s scouting landscape (Baseball America, 2025). Cameron Flukey from Coastal Carolina represents another high-ceiling arm slated to lead his staff in 2026.
After a 3.19 ERA and 118 strikeouts against 24 walks in 101.2 innings in 2025, Flukey combines a deceptive delivery with a fastball touching 98 mph and a curveball producing a 49% miss rate. His slider and changeup complement his repertoire, creating a multi-dimensional attack that bodes well for sustained success.
Flukey’s role in Coastal Carolina’s recent national championship series run underscores his ability to perform under pressure and positions him as one of the top arms nationally heading into the new season (Baseball America, 2025). Tommy LaPour offers a notable example of durability and stamina combined with high-end velocity. Now pitching for TCU after transferring from Wichita State, LaPour posted a 3.09 ERA with 88 strikeouts across 90.1 innings, maintaining mid-to-upper 90s velocity deep into games.
His slider’s two-plane tilt and a firm changeup with fade present a challenging mix for hitters. LaPour’s consistency and ability to sustain velocity late in outings distinguish him in a crowded field of power arms, qualities highly prized at the professional level as teams seek durable starters capable of handling substantial workloads (Baseball America, 2025).
Roch Cholowsky shortstop MLB draft
Shortstops dominate this junior class, with multiple players combining offensive firepower and defensive excellence. Roch Cholowsky of UCLA stands out as a potential historic figure, poised to become the first back-to-back College Player of the Year.
His 2025 campaign featured a .353 batting average with 23 home runs, exemplifying balance between power and contact. Cholowsky’s smooth, rhythmic swing paired with a peak exit velocity of 106.5 mph places him among the game’s elite hitters. Defensively, his effortless actions and strong arm solidify his reputation as a complete package.
Cholowsky is widely regarded as the favorite for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB draft, reflecting his status as the sport’s premier talent (Baseball America, 2025) (college baseball) (college baseball juniors).
Justin Lebron from Alabama demonstrated immediate impact as a freshman, hitting .338/.429/.546 with 12 homers, and continued his strong production in 2025. Lebron combines impressive bat speed with a disciplined approach, turning around velocity effectively. His defensive polish at shortstop, featuring crisp actions and steady reads, complements his offensive contributions.
Lebron’s balanced skill set provides Alabama with a cornerstone player capable of influencing games on both sides of the ball, a valuable trait for a program aiming to compete at the highest levels (Baseball America, 2025). Steven Milam, a switch-hitting shortstop for LSU, played a key role in the Tigers’ 2025 national title run.
After a .326 average as a freshman, he followed with a .295 average, 14 doubles, and 11 home runs. His lefthanded stroke shows more consistency, but his overall offensive profile blends contact ability with emerging power. Defensively, Milam excelled in 2025, demonstrating range, quick reads, and a strong arm.
LSU’s coach praised him as the best shortstop in the country, and he enters 2026 as a leader tasked with helping LSU pursue consecutive championships (Baseball America, 2025).
P.J. Moutzouridis defensive reliability
Arizona State’s P.J. Moutzouridis represents a defense-first infielder whose range and instincts stabilize the middle infield.
After transferring from California, Moutzouridis impressed with smooth, rangy actions and a strong, accurate arm (college baseball) (2026 MLB draft) (college baseball juniors). His ability to play at a high level without appearing rushed highlights his advanced internal clock and positional awareness. Though his bat has yet to consistently produce impact, his contact rate of 92% in the strike zone during 2025 signals a reliable hitter who can provide stability in the lineup.
Arizona State’s investment in Moutzouridis underscores the premium placed on defensive reliability and bat-to-ball skills in roster construction (Baseball America, 2025). The balance between offensive upside and defensive reliability among these juniors illustrates the varied paths players take to professional viability.
While power and velocity grab headlines, consistent contact, defensive prowess, and adaptability remain critical factors in evaluating long-term potential.
What qualities are most predictive of success transitioning from college to professional baseball?
How might evolving analytics influence the evaluation of juniors entering the 2026 draft?
2026 junior class MLB draft prospects
The 2026 junior class in college baseball encapsulates a compelling blend of emerging stars and steady contributors, each offering unique tools that project differently at the next level. From towering pitchers with deceptive deliveries to undersized hitters with explosive bat speed, the diversity in profiles reflects the nuanced nature of player development and scouting.
As the season unfolds, these athletes will be scrutinized by scouts and fans alike, their performances shaping draft boards and professional projections. The critical takeaway is that success at the collegiate level requires more than raw talent; it demands sustained production, adaptability, and the capacity to thrive under pressure. Juniors like Roch Cholowsky and Cameron Flukey exemplify this balance, combining skill and poise that set them apart as future stars (2026 MLB draft).
② What adjustments will these prospects need to make to succeed in professional baseball?
① Which players have demonstrated the mental toughness required for the transition?
③ How will their collegiate performance metrics translate to advanced levels of play?
The season ahead promises to clarify these questions as college baseball’s most promising juniors stake their claims. References: Baseball America.
15 College Baseball Juniors Poised To Stand Out In 2026. 2025. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/15-college-baseball-juniors-poised-to-stand-out-in-2026/
