Running 2026 MLB Draft Thread

[James Zumstein]

After around a dozen games played, the OPS leader in the MLB Draft League is Carlos Sanchez, a catcher from Maracaibo, Venezuela, Jackson Chourio's hometown. I looked up some info on him and he was conference player of the year this past season at LSU-Shreveport, where he hit .388 with an 1.167 OPS and also was successful on 37 of 41 SB attempts. Listed as a utility player in college, he could be an interesting target.

[nate82]

I think the Brewers may go HS heavy in this draft as it maybe the last draft to draft them.  

[brewmann04]

Will they follow their usual draft plan?

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

4 hours ago, nate82 said:

I think the Brewers may go HS heavy in this draft as it maybe the last draft to draft them.  

Last year was probably the first time I actually followed the MLB draft and it was pretty exciting reading up on what the draftniks on the board thought of our selections and then the "chase" to sign as many as we could.

I'm not understanding that rationale behind potentially ending the high school draft?  Would those kids then go to play (local leagues or college for 3 years before then being eligible at Age 21?)   Is this a play to reduce the minor leagues and costs for owners, or what advantage is gained from ending the MLB draft?

[nate82]

15 minutes ago, TwinsBrewersWorldSeries said:

Would those kids then go to play (local leagues or college for 3 years before then being eligible at Age 21?)

After year 2 under the new proposal.

 

21 minutes ago, TwinsBrewersWorldSeries said:

Is this a play to reduce the minor leagues and costs for owners, or what advantage is gained from ending the MLB draft?

This wouldn’t end the draft just reduce the number of players.  MLB is definitely looking to reduce the minors but that won’t come until 2030 when the current deal with the minor league clubs expires.  I fully expect low A to be eliminated.  2030 would also be close to when expansion would be happening.

[biedergb]

Not sure where to put this - but with the relative struggles of some HS pitchers (mostly the 2025 class), and the litany of injuries (H. Robinson, Tobias, FLores), I do wonder if the team will pivot. 2023 was the shining example of it working with Letson and Adamczewski, but B. Johnson and H. Robinson struggled and Chambers got us a 1/2 season of Hudson. Then 2024 we may have something in Dubanewicz and Dorchies, but maybe not, and Tobias is hurt, Renz has spin but no velo yet, and Broughton is just coming back,.
Last year too early but sadly a serious non-baseball injury (Cairone), but a lost season to a high round pick (Flores) and some middling performances early on by the other (Holden may be the exception). 
So does the team maybe pivot here, or keep doing this in the hopes that several picks may turn into 3 prospects and maybe 1 or 2 MLB quality players (which is still high success for mid to late round picks)?
Do they even try high round HS arm again (Knoth and Meccage have both missed a lot of time)?