WHITE SOX DRAFT UCLA SS ROCH CHOLOWSKY AT NO. 1
The Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the first overall pick on Saturday afternoon at the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft held in Philadelphia.
Cholowsky, who turned 21 in April, is regarded by draft analysts as the best college shortstop prospect since Troy Tulowitzki in 2005. He is the first college shortstop to be chosen first overall since Dansby Swanson in 2015.
Cholowsky was a frontrunner for the first overall pick, competing against Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey, who were also top prospects. The Tampa Bay Rays were set to select second overall, followed by the Minnesota Twins in third.
This marks the Chicago White Sox’s first time picking first overall since 1977, when they selected high school outfielder Harold Baines, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. The White Sox also picked high school catcher Danny Goodwin first overall in 1971, but he did not sign.
Over his three seasons with the Bruins, Cholowsky posted an impressive .329/.448/.624 batting line, totaling 52 home runs in 178 career games. He ranked second among NCAA Division I shortstops this season in wins above replacement and defensive runs saved, according to USA Baseball, which named him a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur player.
Cholowsky was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, an honor achieved by only three individuals, and helped UCLA secure a share of the last two conference championships. Although his performance remained strong overall in his junior year, some analysts believed his draft stock slipped after he did not excel in the NCAA tournament, as the top-ranked Bruins failed to reach the Men’s College World Series.
While analysts unanimously project Cholowsky to be at least a solid major leaguer at a premium position defensively and offensively, some express concerns that his potential ceiling may not be as high as that of Emerson, an 18-year-old from Fort Worth Christian High School. Moreover, neither of the leading shortstop prospects is expected to make an impact on par with Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt. Several analysts even ranked Lackey as the best player in the draft but voiced worries about his relatively brief history in baseball and the physical strain that catching can place on any prospect.
Cholowsky is a right-handed batter listed at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds. He had the option to take a college football scholarship to play quarterback at Notre Dame and has mentioned that he prefers football. However, he also recognizes that pursuing a baseball career offers the best chance for professional success.
Had he opted to bypass college three years ago, Cholowsky was projected to be a top-50 draft prospect as a high school athlete. Growing up around baseball as the son of MLB scout Dan Cholowsky, who was drafted in the first round (39th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1991, Roch developed a deep connection to the sport. His father played eight seasons with four organizations professionally, including 285 games at Triple-A, before transitioning into scouting.
In a rebuilding phase over the past few years, the White Sox have emerged as a surprising contender in the American League Central. Shortstop Colson Montgomery has become one of the league’s outstanding players at his position in a time when talent in that spot runs deep.
The White Sox also boast a strong farm system rich in additional shortstop talent, including Caleb Bonemer and Billy Carlson. A significant advantage of drafting any shortstop is the flexibility to shift their position if necessary. By the time Cholowsky is ready for the majors, Montgomery and others may be able to transition to different positions on the diamond.
DRAFT ANALYSIS FIRST ROUND
1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
Draft ranking: 1
Who is Cholowsky? The consensus top prospect heading into the 2026 season, Cholowsky more or less maintained that position even though his numbers were down slightly from his sophomore season with the Bruins (from a 1.190 OPS to 1.088). A 6-foot-2 right-handed batter, Cholowsky has plus tools across the board other than his speed and was regarded by some as the best college shortstop since Troy Tulowitzki. With his defense, raw power and good approach at the plate, he should move quickly to the majors, with his on-base skills amplified by a Craig Biggio-like ability to get hit by pitches (25 times this season in 299 plate appearances).
Why the White Sox took him here: Cholowsky has been the wire-to-wire top prospect in this class and, despite late buzz about Grady Emerson and Vahn Lackey closing the cap, Chicago took the consensus No. 1 player on the board. While the knock is he might not have the superstar upside teams expect at the top of the draft, Cholowsky comes with a high floor and an All-Star ceiling with the bonus of being a potentially fast-mover for a surprise contender suddenly focused on now as much as the future.
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2. Tampa Bay Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (Texas)
Draft ranking: 2
Who is Emerson? Emerson emerged as the top high school position player, jockeying with Cholowsky for the top slot on draft boards. A left-handed batter, Emerson was the Gatorade National Player of the Year, playing his senior season under former Rangers outfielder Rusty Greer, who also helped mentor Bobby Witt Jr. in high school. Emerson may not have Witt’s loud tools (who does?), but he’s a skilled hitter with projectable power and is viewed as a lock to stick at shortstop. Compared to other top high school shortstops in recent drafts – Eli Willits, Ethan Holliday, Konnor Griffin, Bryce Rainer – Emerson rates higher, although that doesn’t guarantee he’s going to explode like Griffin did.
Why the Rays took him here: Many scouts view Emerson as the top player in the draft, and while teams don’t draft for positional need, it’s convenient that Emerson fits a need for Tampa Bay. Carson Williams was supposed to be the shortstop of the present and future for the Rays, but he continues to struggle with strikeouts. The Rays also don’t shy away from high school players, with their top two prospects, Theo Gillen and Nathan Flewelling, coming out of high school in the 2024 draft, and Daniel Pierce, last year’s first-round pick, also a high school selection.
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3. Minnesota Twins: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
Draft ranking: 3
Who is Lackey? The latest in a long line of first-round catchers from Georgia Tech going back to Jason Varitek and including Matt Wieters, Joey Bart and Kevin Parada, Lackey exploded at the plate for the Yellow Jackets in 2026, hitting .397/.519/.772 with 20 home runs and more walks than strikeouts as he climbed from a late first-round talent to the top of the first round. He’s agile behind the plate with above-average arm strength and a quick release and even has above-average speed that would have allowed him to play other positions if he wasn’t so good behind the plate. His power upside is the biggest question, although he improved from six home runs as a sophomore. He’s also young for a college junior, not turning 21 until July 7.
Why the Twins took him here: Lackey powered his way into the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick with a huge season at Georgia Tech, making this an easy choice when the top of the board played out as expected. Lackey is a potential star at a premium position who has the ability to move relatively quickly through the minors. It’s a perfect fit for the franchise that had Hall of Famer Joe Mauer behind the plate not too long ago.
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4. San Francisco Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Draft ranking: 4
Who is Flora? The clear top pitching prospect in an overall weak class for moundsmen, Flora has hit triple digits with his fastball, sitting 95-97 with the high spin rate that teams like to see. With a classic pitcher’s build at 6-5 and 205 pounds, Flora dominated for the Gauchos, going 12-0 with a 1.06 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 102 innings while allowing just 55 hits. He’s not quite as polished as former teammate Tyler Bremner, who went second overall in last year’s draft to the Angels, as Flora was mostly just a fastball//slider guy before this season. A kick-changeup that he used mostly against lefties has good downward action and could be a plus offering.
Why the Giants took him here: This is pretty much the chalk pick here as Flora was the top pitcher in the draft after a dominant season with stuff to match, starting with a fastball that hits 100 mph. It does fit a need for the Giants as they rank 23rd in the majors in ERA, so the hope is Flora will move quickly. He’s the first college pitcher the Giants have drafted in the first round since Will Bednar in 2021 and just the second since 2015 (not counting two-way player Reggie Crawford in 2022).
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5. Pittsburgh Pirates: Derek Curiel, CF, LSU
Draft ranking: 10
Who is Curiel? A draft-eligible sophomore after starring for two years in Baton Rouge, where he hit .345 as a freshman and then .353, with the ability to hit upper-end velocity. While his speed is only a tick above average, he has excellent instincts in center field and should be able to stick there. The question is how much upside there is in the power department. He hit 13 home runs across his two seasons for LSU and was way down the OPS leaderboard in conference play in the SEC. He’s 6-2 and lean, so there is projectable power.
Why the Pirates took him here: There was a lot of talk about upside high schoolers Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. here, but the Pirates opted for the high floor of SEC performer Curiel. As an outfielder who should make it to Pittsburgh quickly, the Bucs landed a player who should help at a position of need. The ultimate question is if Curiel will hit with enough pop at such an early pick, but the ingredients for a productive major league starter are there.
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6. Kansas City Royals: Zion Rose, LF, Louisville
Draft ranking: 18
Who is Rose? A catcher coming out of high school, Louisville moved Rose to the outfield to take advantage of his speed and athleticism. He hit over .300 during his first two seasons. Despite an ankle injury this year and playing just 36 games, he hit .417/.491/.646, including a .390 batting average during ACC play, with six home runs and 24 steals. He has elite contact skills, striking out just 15 times in 173 plate appearances, and improved his exit velocities this year, giving him power potential if he can pull the ball more. He played left for Louisville, but could get a chance to play center in the pros.
Why the Royals took him here: This may look like a surprise selection given Rose’s draft ranking, but he has been a productive college hitter with elite contact skills, with the Royals no doubt leaning on that contact ability as a good bet that Rose can turn into a quality major league hitter. It doesn’t hurt that he could be a potential solution to the Royals’ long-running woes of offensive production in the outfield.
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7. Baltimore Orioles: Eric Booth Jr., CF, Oak Grove HS (Mississippi)
Draft ranking: 5
Who is Booth? The son of former Southern Mississippi football star Eric Booth Sr., Booth is a dynamic athlete with top-of-the-charts speed along with plus raw power. He is one of the younger prospects in this draft class, having just turned 18 on July 4, and he put up strong numbers as a high school senior — .481 average, .669 on-base percentage and .922 slugging percentage — despite a setup that will likely need to be tweaked in the pros.
Why the Orioles took him here: Booth is an elite runner with standout athleticism and some of the highest upside in this draft. Yes, he likely needs some tweaks to his setup and action at the plate, but if Baltimore can help him figure those things out (and the O’s have a pretty good track record of this kind of thing), he has true star potential in a draft that doesn’t have a whole lot of that type of player, outside of the first three selected today.
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8. Athletics: Drew Burress, CF, Georgia Tech
Draft ranking: 7
Who is Burress? Listed at just 5-foot-9, Burress’ stock has cooled a bit since he was in conversations as a potential top pick in this draft ahead of the season. He has ranked among the most productive hitters in college baseball over his three seasons at Georgia Tech, posting a 1.204 OPS and batting .357 for his career, though his sophomore and junior production was slightly down from his first season with the Yellow Jackets when he hit .381 with 25 home runs and a 1.333 OPS on his way to National Freshman of the Year honors.
Why the Athletics took him here: An undersized right-handed-hitting outfielder is an odd profile for a top-10 pick, but Burress can flat-out hit, packing surprising power into his 5-foot-9 frame and raking throughout his college career. It’s worth noting that the A’s have drafted as well as any team in recent years, with Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom and Max Muncy all first-round picks since 2020 and 2024 second-round pick Gage Jump also already in the majors. Like Kurtz and Wilson, Burress could move quickly to the majors.
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9. Atlanta Braves: AJ Gracia, CF, Virginia
Draft ranking: 24
Who is Gracia? One of the most consistent hitters in college baseball, Gracia starred at Duke for two years before transferring to Virginia for the 2026 season. He put up a .317/.459/.583 career slash line and belted 43 home runs while posting a career-best 1.121 OPS for the Cavaliers this season. The left-handed-hitting Gracia played through shoulder pain this season, and that, combined with questions about his ultimate fit in center field vs. a move to a corner spot, impacted his spot on some draft boards.
Why the Braves took him here: Another player with more floor than ceiling, Gracia has done nothing but perform in a premium collegiate league for three seasons. His power isn’t quite there yet, and it remains to be seen how much of it will come as a pro — but this is a hitter who puts the bat on the ball about as well as anyone in the draft, and that plays at any level.
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10. Colorado Rockies: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
Draft ranking: 9
Who is Bell? Bell chose to go to college rather than signing with the Tampa Bay Rays after going No. 66 overall in the 2024 MLB draft. Now sophomore-eligible after two strong years at Kentucky, Bell was one of the biggest risers up draft boards throughout the 2026 season. A switch-hitter who batted .343 with nine home runs, Bell missed nearly a month after tearing the labrum in his non-throwing arm during Kentucky’s season opener.
Why the Rockies took him here: Drafting in the top 10 for the seventh consecutive year, the Rockies go with Bell, who surged up draft boards late in the process. A 6-foot-1 switch-hitter with good swing decisions, he overcame a shoulder injury suffered in the first game of 2026 to prove he can handle shortstop with good actions and a strong arm. In the first draft under the new front office, it looks like a safer pick than many of the Rockies’ boom-or-bust selections of the past.
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11. Washington Nationals: Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
Draft ranking: 13
Who is Hacopian? A two-year starter at Maryland before transferring to A&M, Hacopian’s bat is his calling card. The right-handed batter hit over .300 all three years in college, including .319/.405/.578 for the Aggies with 11 home runs in 166 at-bats and more walks than strikeouts. He owns a career strikeout rate under 10% and punishes fastballs. He missed the start of the season with a lower back injury and while he played shortstop in 2025, he eventually ended up second base for the Aggies. His lack of speed and range could eventually push him to third base or the outfield.
Why the Nationals took him here: The son of a former ACC Player of the Year, Hacopian starred at Maryland before transferring to Texas A&M and now goes back to his home area. Hacopian had more walks than strikeouts this season in the SEC, demonstrating why he is another hitter in this draft with a high floor whose ceiling will be decided by how much power he adds to his game.
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12. Los Angeles Angels: Jared Grindlinger, RF/LHP, Huntington Beach HS (California)
Draft ranking: 11
Who is Grindlinger? The best two-way prospect in the draft, Grindlinger is a left-handed pitcher and lefty-hitting outfielder who reclassified from the 2027 draft and will be just a few months past his 17th birthday on draft day. For teams that rely heavily on draft models, his youth is a big consideration. As a pitcher, he’s more projection at this point, sitting in the low 90s with his fastball. He has displayed excellent contact skills and a nice feel for hitting, but needs to get stronger, with his speed likely limiting to a corner outfield or first base.
Why the Angels took him here: This is maybe the most interesting pick so far for a couple of reasons. First, Grindlinger is a two-way player who is still just 17 years old, although the Angels announced him as an outfielder, believing in his contact ability. Second, with John Mozeliak just recently taking over as the interim GM, it’s a big change of pace for the Angels, who hadn’t taken a high school player in the first round since Jordyn Adams in 2018.
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13. St. Louis Cardinals: Trevor Condon, CF, Etowah HS (Georgia)
Draft ranking: 16
Who is Condon? The Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia, Condon’s grade 70 or 80 speed and all-out intensity are his calling cards, the kind of player who scouts — and fans — love to watch. He also shows bat speed and contact skills, although his swing is a little unusual with a high setup from a left-handed stance before dropping his hands. He’s made it work, although he’ll need to pull the ball in the air more often to get to power that projects as below average for now.
Why the Cardinals took him here: A strong bet to stick in center field with standout speed, Condon is a hard-nosed player who backs it up with his bat and glove. One of ESPN MLB draft analyst Kiley McDaniel’s favorite players in this class, Condon invokes some comparisons to Tigers rookie star Kevin McGonigle, so there is plenty to like here. But, to be clear, that is the “absolutely-everything-clicks” version of Condon’s future and it’s much more likely he ends up as more of a McGonigle-lite type at the plate while playing center field.
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14. Miami Marlins: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS (Florida)
Draft ranking: 6
Who is Lombard? The younger brother of Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr., who went 26th overall in the 2023 draft and has turned into a top shortstop prospect, and the son of Tigers bench coach George Sr., Jacob rates higher than his brother at the same age due to more dynamic athleticism in terms of power and speed. A right-handed batter, the 6-3 Lombard is also viewed as a polished shortstop, displaying the high baseball IQ you would expect from the son of a major league coach. The big concern is his hit tool, as Jacob struggled with swing-and-miss against elite velocity on the showcase circuit.
Why the Marlins took him here: The Marlins go with the hometown kid, but that’s not why they took him. Lombard is one of the most dynamic players in the draft with perhaps the best set of tools and the highest upside — better tools, in fact, than his older brother, George Jr., who is in Triple-A with the Yankees and one of the top prospects in the minors. For Jacob, the big “if” explains why he fell to 14th: Will he make enough contact? If he does, this could end up as the steal of the draft.
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15. Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
Draft ranking: 14
Who is Helfrick? A California high school product who found his way to Arkansas, Helfrick profiles as a defense-and-power backstop. His defense is ahead of his offense, with a strong arm plus he called his own games at Arkansas, unlike a lot of collegiate catchers. He has impressive bat speed and raw power and hit .283 with 18 home runs for the Razorbacks, but while he cut down on his whiff rate in 2026, his hit tool currently projects as below average.
Why the Diamondbacks took him here: Helfrick has as much power as just about anyone in this draft and proved he can get to it in games in the best conference in college baseball this season. There is no doubt about his ability to punish fastballs, but he does have a tendency to chase breaking stuff out of the zone — and that issue could be heightened against better pitching in the pros. Behind the plate, he’s already advanced and seems like a safe bet to stick at the position for Arizona.
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16. Texas Rangers: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS (Florida)
Draft ranking: 21
Who is Rojas? Rojas is from the high school that produced Roman Anthony, Coby Mayo, Jesus Luzardo and Anthony Rizzo — although none of them were first-round picks. Rojas is a 6-4 lefty who is regarded as the top high school pitching prospect in this class, possessing a high-spin fastball that has been up to 98 mph, although sitting more 92 to 95. He throws from a low, three-quarters delivery with a wipeout slider/sweeper, and he has feel for a changeup. He has a low-effort delivery and commands his fastball to both sides of the plate.
Why the Rangers took him here: Finally, we get another pitcher — and the first high school pitcher. The Rangers have to be happy Rojas fell to them, as his ability to throw strikes and command his pitches should allow him to move quickly. He’ll have to throw his changeup more than he did in high school, but if that pitch comes along, he could be the long-term replacement for Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom in the Texas rotation. –
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17. Houston Astros: Logan Hughes, LF, Texas Tech
Draft ranking: 29
Who is Hughes? One of the best hitters during the past two seasons in the Big 12, Hughes hit .375/.510/.735 with 18 home runs and had more walks (50) than strikeouts (33) for the Red Raiders in 2026. The left-handed hitter is an analytics favorite, rarely chasing out of the zone, hitting top-level velocity and making good swing decisions. Though it’s easy to project his bat, that’s not the case with his defense, as he has below-average speed and a fringy arm. At 5-11, he’s also short for a first baseman if that becomes his position.
Why the Astros took him here: This pick is all about production as Hughes flat-out raked at Texas Tech this season, posting a ridiculous .375/.510/.735 slash line (1.245 OPS) in the Big 12. While those eye-popping numbers tell you all you need to know about Hughes’ bat, there isn’t a lot of room for growth in his game and he isn’t a threat on the basepaths or a strong defender. So, he is going to have to hit his way to being an every-day corner outfielder. –
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18. Cincinnati Reds: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Draft ranking: 8
Who is Lebron? Lebron had some 1-1 talk at the start of the collegiate season due to his flashy tools and position, but he struggled at the plate, hitting .277/.386/.534, a drop from his sophomore numbers, and he also struggled in the field with 19 errors. His numbers dropped even more in SEC play, where he hit just .229, and he finished with twice as many strikeouts as walks. His speed, power, arm and makeup all rate as above average, giving him a superstar ceiling, but his hit tool is a huge question.
Why the Reds took him here: The Reds have shown no consistent philosophy in their recent draft history, going with both high school and college players, sometimes going for ceiling, sometimes with a high floor. Lebron fits into the category of just taking the best player left on the board, although he’s one of the most polarizing players in the draft due to the gap between his tools (among the best in the draft) and his production at Alabama (low average, strikeouts and errors).
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19. Cleveland Guardians: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
Draft ranking: 12
Who is Peterson? A three-year starter for the Gators, Peterson has some of the best stuff in the draft, although not necessarily the results to match that. He went 3-6 with a 4.59 ERA for the Gators, striking out 111 in 84 innings, but allowing 84 hits, 36 walks and 11 home runs – including four to Troy in a 16-11 loss in the NCAA regionals. His fastball averages 96 and he has three secondary offerings in a slider, curveball and changeup that all could be plus pitches. He needs to improve his command and stop grooving too many fastballs.
Why the Guardians took him here: It’s time for the Guardians to do what they do best with a pitcher who was a highly-touted player but struggled to find results on the mound at Florida. Peterson posted a 5.40 ERA over three seasons with the Gators, including a 4.59 mark this spring — but he also averaged nearly 12 strikeouts per nine innings for his college career. It’s that type of swing-and-miss stuff that lands him here, and if anyone can coax the best out of a player like this, it’s Cleveland.
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20. Boston Red Sox: Jake Schaffner, SS, North Carolina
Draft ranking: 51
Who is Schaffner? Schaffner was a strong performer for the national runner-up Tar Heels this season. He hit .356 with a 1.019 OPS in his lone season in Chapel Hill after transferring from North Dakota State.
Why the Red Sox took him here: The first major surprise of this draft, Schaffner was projected as the No. 52 pick in McDaniel’s final mock draft. This is a pick that could make a lot more sense when we see what his signing bonus is — and what the Red Sox are able to do with their upcoming picks after taking Schaffner here. Boston is leaning into a player here who put up numbers in a power conference — albeit without much pop, hitting just six home runs this season.
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21. San Diego Padres: Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS (FL)
Draft ranking: 31
Who is Borthwick? A huge right-hander at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Borthwick is one of the top prep pitchers in the draft, already possessing a major league body and a fastball that was up to 98 mph. Despite his size, he’s a good enough athlete that he drew comparisons to Austin Riley for his power potential as a third baseman, and that athleticism allowed Borthwick to repeat his delivery and throw strikes.
Why the Padres took him here: There’s nothing that says “Padres pick” quite like taking a high school pitcher in the first round. Last year, it was Kruz Schoolcraft; in 2024, it was Kash Mayfield; in 2022, Dylan Lesko and Robby Snelling (and MacKenzie Gore and Ryan Weathers before that). General manager A.J. Preller loves going for upside — and that’s the case, once again.
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22. Detroit Tigers: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
Draft ranking: 19
Who is Flukey? Flukey had a terrific sophomore season at Coastal Carolina, but then suffered a stress reaction in his rib cage that delayed his 2026 season until late April. He went 0-2 with a 4.13 ERA in seven abbreviated starts, throwing just 24 innings. He’s a lean 6-foot-6 with a fastball that sits at 95 to 96 mph with the expected late ride of a first-round talent. His curveball is a plus pitch, and there is the belief that he can get stronger and add even more velocity.
Why the Tigers took him here: Flukey pitches off his fastball and has the velocity of a sure major league starter with the frame to support his development. But there are plenty of question marks here as he missed much of the season with a strained rib and his breaking stuff is currently a bit below average. Detroit is betting on him being able to clean up those things, and if he does, there is plenty of upside here.
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23. Chicago Cubs: Cade Townsend, RHP, Mississippi
Draft ranking: 26
Who is Townsend? A draft-eligible sophomore, Townsend pitched mostly in relief as a freshman before joining the rotation in 2026, going 5-3 with a 3.94 ERA, striking out 88 in 64 innings while utilizing a five-pitch mix, including a mid-90s fastball. He improved his control from 2025 and has shown the ability to spin the ball, going back to high school in California, but his fastball was hittable at times, and he struggled with giving up home runs during conference play.
Why the Cubs took him here: Most of the Cubs’ top prospects are position players and the current rotation in the majors has been crushed with injuries, so it’s little surprise that the Cubs would go with one of the top college pitchers left on the board. Townsend’s ability to spin a variety of breaking balls is a big plus, but he’ll have to improve his fastball command to remain a starter.
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24. Seattle Mariners: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
Draft ranking: 17
Who is Reese? After starting his college career at Houston, Reese has been a two-year standout for the Bulldogs. He hit .352 with 21 home runs in 2025 and then .336 with 24 home runs in 2026, leading the SEC with 12 home runs during conference play. He generates impressive raw power with a fast left-handed swing, although the strikeout rate (over 21%) was a little high, giving him a power-over-hit profile. He played third base for the Bulldogs, but he will have to improve his defense to stay at the position.
Why the Mariners took him here: The Mariners pretty much had to take a hitter here given the strength of their current big league rotation and pitchers Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan being two of the top prospects in the minors — plus, look at their struggles on offense in the majors. Reese is the top power-hitting prospect left on the board, although there are questions about his hit tool and defense. He could be the future third baseman or maybe he slides to left field. Either way, the Mariners needed a big bat for the lineup.
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25. Milwaukee Brewers: Trey Ebel, SS, Corona HS (CA), Texas A&M commit
Draft ranking: 37
Who is Ebel? He’s the son of Dodgers third-base coach Dino and brother of last draft’s No. 32 pick Brady Ebel — who also went to the Brewers. Playing at California prep power Corona, the younger Ebel has a strong history of performance and has proven himself as a contact hitter. How much power he’ll have will become his biggest question.
Why the Brewers took him here: Clearly there’s something the Milwaukee front office likes about the Ebel family — and with good reason. This seems like a prototypical Brewers player: not a lot of flashy tools, but someone who just feels like a baseball player. Ebel is exactly the type of player Milwaukee has a history of turning into key contributors on a perennial contender.
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Prospect Promotion Incentive picks
26. Atlanta Braves: Carter Beck, CF, Indiana State
(For Drake Baldwin NL ROY win)
Draft ranking: 70
A native of Saskatchewan, Canada, Beck began his college career at DII Mary in North Dakota before transferring to Indiana State, where he hit .346/.446/.637 with 16 home runs this season. A left-handed batter, he fits into the analytic models with excellent in-zone contact rates and has above-average speed that could allow him to remain in center field despite a below-average arm.
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27. New York Mets: Carson Wiggins, RHP, Arkansas
Draft ranking: 90
This is one of the bigger surprises of the draft, as Wiggins pitched just 14 innings in his career at Arkansas, missing all of the 2026 season after an internal brace procedure in 2025. The younger brother of Cubs prospect Jaxon Wiggins, Carson hit 102 mph before the injury in 2025 and did throw at the MLB draft combine, impressing with his fastball/slider combo. There’s a lot of unknown here and reliever risk, but the stuff makes him an intriguing selection.
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28. Houston Astros: Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame
(For Hunter Brown’s top-three Cy Young finish)
Draft ranking: 33
After taking a college outfielder with its first pick, Houston goes back to the college ranks with a pitcher here. Radel stands at 6-foot-5 and started for three years at Notre Dame. He sits in the mid-90s and pitched to a 3.29 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 87⅔ innings this spring.
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Competitive Balance Round A
29. San Francisco Giants: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS (SC)
(Acquired from CLE)
Draft ranking: 41
Bolemon was the ace of the U.S. national team that won the 18-and-under World Cup in Japan in September, which made the top prep left-hander entering the 2026 season. He didn’t quite pitch to that level, although he repeated as state champion and Gatorade state player of the year. He has great command of a 91-94 fastball and feel for all three of his secondary pitches. He’s already 19, however, and also has had an internal brace procedure.
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30. Kansas City Royals: Taylor Rabe, RHP, Mississippi
Draft ranking: 48
Rabe missed his freshman season at Ole Miss after Tommy John surgery and didn’t pitch much as a sophomore, but then shot up draft boards with a strong junior season (3.55 ERA, 105 strikeouts and just 15 walks in 76 innings) in which he combined excellent control with improving stuff as his fastball settled in at 96 mph with an occasional triple-digit reading. He has a pitcher’s build at 6-foot-5, but the Royals will have to help him develop his secondary stuff, as he threw his fastball nearly 70% of the time.
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31. Arizona Diamondbacks: Blake Bryant, RHP, Citizen’s Christian HS (GA)
Draft ranking: 84
Bryant was one of the top performers on the showcase circuit last summer. His fastball sits in the low 90s and reaches the high 90s and he has two breaking balls that give him the makings of a starter when his consistency and control catch up to his raw ability.
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32. St. Louis Cardinals: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
Draft ranking: 32
Kuhns is another college pitcher who showed excellent ability to throw strikes, finishing his season at Tennessee with 106 strikeouts and just 16 walks across 81 innings. A draft-eligible sophomore, his fastball averaged 94 mph with good life from a low release angle. There is some physical projection left here — his fastball did touch 98 but got hit hard at times — and he relied more on a curveball as the season progressed. He’s viewed as a high-probability starter as he fills out and develops a better third pitch.
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33. Tampa Bay Rays: Taj Marchand, SS, James Island Charter HS (SC)
(Acquired from BAL)
Draft ranking: 45
The second shortstop taken by the Rays in as many picks this draft, Marchand was a riser late in the draft process thanks to his plus raw power at a premium position. A two-way player in high school, his arm should help him stay at short defensively as he was up to 92 mph on the mound as well.
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34. Chicago White Sox: Landon Thome, SS, Nazareth Academy HS (IL)
Draft ranking: 63
The son of Hall of Famer and former White Sox slugger Jim Thome, Landon is one of the best hitters in this high school class as a lefty with power and solid bat-to-ball skills. A move off of shortstop is in his future, but the hope is he can stay on the dirt as a second or third baseman professionally.
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35. New York Yankees: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
Draft ranking: 15
Dietz gives the Razorbacks a pitcher going in the first round for the third straight year, following Hagen Smith in 2024 and Gage Wood in 2025. A highly regarded prospect coming out of high school in Florida, Dietz pitched just 1⅔ innings his first two years at Arkansas, needing surgery following a stress fracture in his elbow in the fall of 2023. He returned this year to strike out 131 batters in 85⅔ innings, working off a 95-mph fastball that touched 98. His slider/cutter generated high whiff rates against both sides of the plate and he also has a curveball. He’s 6-6 and 235, and despite the limited track record, some teams saw him as the top collegiate lefty in the class.
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36. Philadelphia Phillies: Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle HS (California)
Draft ranking: 34
After drafting college pitcher Gage Wood in last year’s first round, the Phillies go back to the high school ranks this year, just as they did with their five previous first-round selections. Spangler is a 6-foot-3 lefty hitter with a well-rounded offensive profile and entered the spring as a potential top-10 selection before missing time with a back injury. He has a chance to stick at shortstop, although could end up as a plus defender at third base.
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37. Colorado Rockies: Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia
Draft ranking: 20
The 2026 Golden Spikes winner, Jackson had a historic offensive season while leading Georgia to the Men’s College World Series. Nicknamed “The Rhino,” Jackson won the SEC Triple Crown and became just the sixth player in Division I history to hit 25 home runs and steal 25 bases in a season. Power is his calling card, as evidenced by his 32 homers and 87 RBIs in 67 games this season, and it gives him a solid floor as a pro. His ability to stay behind the plate and avoid swing-and-miss as a hitter will decide his ultimate ceiling.
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Round 2
If the top 40 picks had some stretches and surprises, the second round is looking like the space where a lot of over-slot signings landed.
38. Rockies: Logan Reddemann, RHP, UCLA (No. 31)
Three picks, three college players for the Rockies. I think they got some good value here at 37 and 38. Reddemann was pitching his way up Draft boards in a hurry, especially after an 18-strikeout start against Rutgers. But he was shelved after that with what turned out to be a flexor strain and didn’t pitch for the remainder of the year. He did throw a live BP and then a bullpen at the Draft Combine, and the Rockies must have been comfortable enough with the medical information to take him here. More >>
39. Blue Jays: Cole Carlon, LHP, ASU (No. 26)
(Received a 10-pick penalty on their first pick — No. 29 — for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax.)
The Blue Jays are another team that dropped 10 spots, and they got an intriguing college lefty here. A little reliever risk is the only reason Carlon didn’t go higher, but he’s a 6-foot-5 lefty with a fastball up to 98 mph and what many considered to be the best slider in the entire class. More >>
40. Dodgers: Bo Lowrance, SS, Christ Church Episcopal HS, S.C. (No. 21)
(Received a 10-pick penalty on their first pick — No. 30 — for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax.)
Dodgers fans had to wait a while to hear who their team would take – they’re the last club to drop 10 spots – but their patience was rewarded. Lowrance was the highest-ranked player left on the board, a solid left-handed-hitting high school infielder many thought would land in the top 25 picks. More >>
41. White Sox: Cole Prosek, 2B, Magnolia Heights HS, Miss. (No. 27)
They got their college bat at No. 1 overall, then went back-to-back with high school left-handed hitters in Thome and Prosek, who’ll likely be an overpay here.
44. Pirates: Aiden Ruiz, SS, The Stony Brook HS, N.Y. (No. 32)
Many thought Ruiz, a smooth-fielding, switch-hitting (and switch-throwing – he throws lefty when he plays the outfield!) shortstop, might go in the first round. Look for the Pirates to use some of their savings from Derek Curiel to get this done.
47. Athletics: Mason Edwards, LHP, University of Southern California (No. 36)
Edwards’ name came up as high as the Top 10; this gives the A’s a very solid college 1-2 with Burress and this intriguing lefty.
48. Braves: Kaiden McCarthy, RHP, Vermont Academy, VT (No. 61)
Scouts in the northeast think that, had McCarthy not reclassified to join this year’s Draft, he’d be opening a ton of eyes on the summer showcase circuit now to be a potential first-round pick in 2028.
50. Cardinals: Rocco Maniscalco, SS, Oxford HS, Ala. (No. 49)
Another guy who reclassified, Maniscalco is one of the youngest players in the class, giving the Cardinals two exciting prep hitters (with Condon) sandwiched around a first-round caliber college arm (Kuhns).
55. Giants: Kaden Waechter, RHP, Jesuit HS, Fla. (No. 57)
Waechter’s dad, Doug, pitched for, and is now a broadcaster for, the Rays. The Giants are using that big bonus pool to land a super-projectable and athletic right-hander.
56. Royals: Jack Slightom, RHP, Lyons Township HS, Ill. (No. 89)
Another high school right-hander who had some helium as the Draft approached, Slightom is a 6-foot-5 hurler with plenty of room to add strength and velocity.
59. Guardians: Logan Schmidt, LHP, Ganesha HS, Calif. (No. 45)
Schmidt was often mentioned along with Carson Bolemon and Brody Bumila as one of the top high school lefties in the class, and it was not expected to see the Guardians go with two arms out of the gate.
63. Yankees: Sean Duncan, LHP, Terry Fox HS, B.C. (No. 66)
The top player coming out of Canada this year, Duncan would have gone much higher had he not needed Tommy John surgery. Without a first-rounder, the Yankees have done well to get Hunter Dietz and now Duncan out of the gate.
Round 3
78. Nationals: Luke Williams, SS, Franklin Regional HS, Pa. (No. 90)
This could be an interesting value pick as Williams has some very loud tools, especially his speed and his arm, and he put on a show during the Draft Combine’s BP.
79. Twins: Ethan Wachsmann, RHP, Grandview HS, Colo. (No. 87)
Not perceived as a typical Twins pick – high school right-handers who are throwers over pitchers isn’t usually their thing – but Wachsmann is 6-foot-5 and touched triple digits at the Combine while showing off high spin breaking stuff.
84. Braves: Jensen Hirschkorn, RHP, Kingsburg HS, Calif. (No. 56)
Another high-end high school arm, something the Braves don’t shy away from, Atlanta will use savings from Gracia and Beck to sign McCarthy and Hirschkorn, a 6-foot-7 RHP, with a special fastball-slider combination.
85. Rays: Gavin Giese, RHP, Dana Hills HS, Calif. (No. 122)
Buckle up, another high-end right-hander from high school! The first prep arm the Rays took after two high school bats, Giese has size, projection and MLB ties (his dad Dan played in the big leagues).
89. Rangers: Brody Bumila, LHP, Bishop Feehan HS, Mass. (No. 23)
We were wondering where he would land. He might need Tommy John surgery, but he’ll get paid here as a 6-foot-9 lefty who can throw 100 mph when healthy, giving the Rangers the top two prep southpaws in the class alongside Rojas.
90. Giants: Peyton Bonds, OF, Rutgers (No. 81)
A Bonds – Barry’s nephew, to be precise – is headed to San Francisco. This Bonds can play center, and has a good feel to hit with power to come.
92. Mets: Aiden Robbins, OF, Texas (No. 29)
It’s a little surprising Robbins lasted this long. There are some swing-and-miss concerns, but the power (24 homers this year) seems real.
Round 4
There were still some high-end picks here, though this is the start of where some money–savers came in, with the first players not on our Top 250 being selected.
106. Nationals: Cooper Harris, RHP, Flower Mound HS, Tex. (No. 76)
Harris had a big up arrow next to his name all spring, with four solid offerings, and the Nationals went back-to-back on intriguing high school players after starting with a pair of college bats.
108. Pirates: Andruw Giles, OF, Basic HS, Nev. (No. 157)
The Pirates got Ruiz in Round 2 and now Giles in Round 4, a pair of likely over-slot high school bats.
110. Orioles: Kevin Roberts Jr., OF, Jackson Prep HS, Miss. (No. 136)
Hailing from the same high school as Konnor Griffin, Roberts is a multi-sport standout with a huge ceiling, though he had an up-and-down senior season.
112. Braves: Cole Dennis, RHP, Bishop Snyder HS, Fla. (No. 242)
Pay no attention to the low rank; Dennis was a bit of a pop-up guy and gives the Braves a third straight high-upside high school arm.
114. Cardinals: Dee Kennedy, SS, Kansas State (No. 79)
Kennedy set the Kansas State single-season home run mark this year and can stay on the dirt, a nice way for the Cards to finish off their seven-pick day.
130. Brewers: Julian Garcia, RHP, St. John Bosco HS, Calif. (No. 109)
After three bats, the Brewers went projectable arm here, and Garcia’s fastball (up to 97 mph) and elite-spin curve are exciting.
131. Blue Jays: Will Brick, C, Christian Brothers HS, Tenn. (No. 46)
This is a tremendous get, especially considering the Jays didn’t have a second-round pick. Brick is considered to be the top high school backstop in the class.
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MLB ROUNDUP: PIRATES CLUTCH UP IN DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP OF BREWERS
Esmerlyn Valdez delivered a go-ahead grand slam to help the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-6 win against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.
Valdez, who had six RBIs, connected for his second home run of the game in the seventh to put Pittsburgh back in front after previously giving them a 3-2 lead with his first homer in the third.
Braxton Ashcraft allowed five runs on five hits and struck out six in five innings for the Pirates. Gregory Soto got out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the ninth for his 12th save.
Brewers starter Brandon Sproat surrendered three runs on two hits, fanning three, before he was lifted after the third. Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick homered for Milwaukee.
Pirates 3, Brewers 2 (Game 2)
Bryan Reynolds went 2-for-3 and drove in the go-ahead run for Pittsburgh, which edged Milwaukee to complete a doubleheader sweep
Starting pitcher Bubba Chandler struck out six while limiting the Brewers to two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings for the Pirates. Valdez added another homer in the second game of the day and has gone yard in three straight games.
Shane Drohan (4-3) allowed three runs on five hits and fanned six in 6 1/3 innings for Milwaukee, which has lost three of its past four games after going 8-2 in its previous 10.
White Sox 1, Athletics 0
Chase Meidroth’s sixth-inning RBI double lifted the White Sox over the visiting Athletics.
Meidroth was 2-for-3, and Luisangel Acuna had two hits. Five Chicago pitchers combined for a four-hit shutout. Erick Fedde (5-6) earned the win after allowing two hits and no runs, while walking one and striking out three over four innings.
Athletics starter Gage Jump (3-4) allowed one run on five hits, walked two and fanned seven in 5 2/3 innings. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer was 2-for-4 with a double, and Jacob Wilson was 2-for-4 with a triple.
Red Sox 4, Mets 0
Andruw Monasterio and Masataka Yoshida each belted two-run homers and five pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout as visiting Boston blanked New York for its eighth straight win.
Reliever Jovani Moran (2-2) got the win for the Red Sox with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless work. Fill-in starter Eduardo Rivera fired 3 2/3 scoreless innings in just his second major league appearance. Rivera gave up one hit, walked two and struck out three.
Freddy Peralta (5-8) absorbed the loss after working 4 1/3 innings and allowing two runs off three hits and five walks. Peralta whiffed six. The Mets went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, stranding nine for the day.
Twins 5, Angels 3
Victor Caratini’s double down the left field line scored Royce Lewis for the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Minnesota notched a win over Los Angeles in Minneapolis.
Lewis earlier hit a two-run home run, giving the Twins a three-run lead before the Angels rallied to tie the game. However, Minnesota scored two runs in the seventh, starting with a Lewis double, followed by Caratini’s double and Alan Roden’s run-scoring single, which put them back in the lead, and they held on to secure the win.
Minnesota starter Joe Ryan allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings of work. Ryan Johnson gave up three runs and three hits over five innings for the Angels. He walked three and struck out one.
Guardians 4, Marlins 1
Nine-hole hitter Steven Kwan lined a two-out, two-strike, two-run double and also produced a run-saving defensive gem, leading Cleveland past host Miami.
The Guardians also got a two-out, two-strike, two-run double from eight-hole hitter Patrick Bailey in the eighth to add some insurance. Tanner Bibee, who started this season 0-7 with six no-decisions, earned the win. Bibee (3-9) turned in a quality start, allowing five hits, four walks and one run in 6 2/3 innings.
Eury Perez, who pitched seven perfect innings in his previous start, took the loss. Perez (5-7) allowed eight hits, two walks and two runs in six innings. He struck out six.
Giants 4, Rockies 2
Casey Schmitt’s three-run homer in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie, leading host San Francisco to a defeat of Colorado.
After Heliot Ramos and Luis Arraez opened the inning with singles, Schmitt hit his 19th homer, tying him for the team lead. Arraez was 2-for-4, Tyler Mahle (2-8) allowed a run on five hits over seven innings and J.T. Brubaker pitched the final two innings for his first career save.
Kyle Karros homered and Mickey Moniak was 2-for-4 for the Rockies, who have lost three of their last four. Colorado starter Kyle Freeland (2-8) surrendered four runs and six hits in six innings.
Yankees 4, Nationals 2
Ryan McMahon, Trent Grisham and Paul Goldschmidt hit eighth-inning homers and New York rallied late for the second straight game, topping host Washington.
After staging a three-run ninth-inning rally in a 5-3 win Friday night, the Yankees struck an inning earlier on Saturday. Trailing 2-0, McMahon homered off right-hander Orlando Ribalta with one out. After Ben Rice walked, Clayton Beeter (3-2) came in to face Grisham, who hit a two-run shot to give the Yankees the lead. Goldschmidt followed with his 15th homer of the season. Brent Headrick (5-1) got the win and David Bednar pitched the ninth for his 18th save as New York won its third straight.
James Wood had three hits, including a homer, and Curtis Mead had a homer and a single for the Nationals, who recorded their 27th blown save of the season.
Rays 6, Mariners 1
Jonathan Aranda recorded three hits and drove in the go-ahead run, and Tampa Bay claimed its final home series before the All-Star break in a win over struggling Seattle in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Aranda went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run, including his first two-bagger in the third that scored Yandy Diaz to break a 1-1 tie. Pinch hitter Ryan Vilade stroked a three-run homer in the seventh. Ben Williamson went 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run and a stolen base to help the Rays improve their majors-best home record to 35-14.
Rays starter Griffin Jax (5-6) turned in a strong outing over five innings, yielding one run on four hits. Seattle’s Logan Gilbert (7-6) tossed 6 2/3 innings and surrendered four runs on nine hits with five strikeouts as the club lost its fifth straight.
Phillies 4, Tigers 2
J.T. Realmuto had a two-run double, All-Star Cristopher Sanchez tossed seven-plus strong innings and visiting Philadelphia ended Detroit’s six-game winning streak.
Sanchez (11-4) allowed two runs and 10 hits while striking out seven. Sanchez bounced back from his worst outing of the season when he surrendered nine runs to Kansas City on Monday. Jhoan Duran recorded his 24th save with a perfect ninth.
Eduardo Valencia homered and Matt Vierling went 3-for-3 and scored a run for the Tigers. Starter Casey Mize (4-6) gave up all four runs (three earned) on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Orioles 6, Royals 1
Kyle Bradish took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Baltimore extended its winning streak to three games after beating visiting Kansas City.
Bradish (6-9) was done after 6 2/3 innings, charged with one run on two hits. Kansas City’s Jac Caglianone rapped a single as the first batter in the seventh to break up the no-hit bid. He later scored on Salvador Perez’s sacrifice fly.
Pete Alonso smashed a two-run home run, and Coby Mayo, Taylor Ward and Gunnar Henderson all belted solo shots for the Orioles, who snapped a four-series losing streak at Camden Yards. Royals starter Noah Cameron (5-7) struck out nine in seven innings, but he was charged with five runs on five hits.
Cardinals 4, Braves 1
Lars Nootbaar launched a three-run home run in the first inning and Matthew Liberatore tossed six stellar innings to help lift St. Louis to a victory over visiting Atlanta.
Liberatore (5-6) threw six scoreless innings, allowing four hits while striking out six and walking one for the Cardinals, who clinched their final series before the All-Star break.
Reynaldo Lopez (4-2) allowed four runs on five hits across five innings, striking out three and walking one for the Braves, who dropped their fifth game in seven tries. Mauricio Dubon homered for Atlanta, which saw its lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East reduced to two games.
Astros 9, Rangers 3
LaMonte Wade Jr. clubbed his first career grand slam in the third inning, the second of three homers hit by visiting Houston in its win over Texas in Arlington, Texas.
Yordan Alvarez hit his AL-leading 31st home run to open the scoring in the first inning for the Astros, who also got a solo homer from Christian Vazquez. Houston right-hander Peter Lambert (8-5) notched his sixth win in seven decisions, allowing one run on three hits over six innings.
Ezequiel Duran had all three of the Rangers’ RBIs on a pair of home runs. Texas starter Kumar Rocker (2-8) continued to struggle at home, giving up three homers among seven runs on eight hits over his 5 2/3 innings.
Cubs 5, Reds 3
Alex Bregman hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning as Chicago defeated host Cincinnati to win for the fourth time in its last six games.
Carson Kelly added a solo shot and Michael Busch had three hits for the Cubs. Drew Pomeranz (2-3) pitched the sixth inning to record the win despite allowing a run on two hits. Caleb Thielbar and Jacob Webb each tossed a scoreless frame before Trent Thornton recorded the final out for his third save.
Nathaniel Lowe, Eugenio Suarez and JJ Bleday each hit solo homers for the Reds, who have lost five of their last eight games. Starter Nick Lodolo yielded two runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts before exiting the game with a blister on his left index finger after allowing Kelly’s leadoff homer in the sixth inning.
Padres 8, Blue Jays 7
Ty France’s solo homer snapped a tie in the bottom of the sixth inning as San Diego outlasted visiting Toronto to win a back-and-forth battle that was tied three times.
France cracked his 11th homer of the season off Mason Fluharty (4-1), making a winner out of Bradgley Rodriguez (2-2). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his sixth homer of the season for the Blue Jays, a three-run shot, to tie the game in the top of the sixth.
Both bullpens delivered well after each team’s starter struggled mightily with control. Toronto’s Trey Yesavage lasted only 1 2/3 innings, giving up one hit and four runs thanks to his seven walks. The Padres’ Walker Buehler pitched only two innings, yielding three hits and four runs with four walks.
Diamondbacks 9, Dodgers 2
James McCann hit two home runs, Brandon Pfaadt opened with five scoreless innings and Arizona finished off a victory over host Los Angeles.
Nolan Arenado also hit a home run while Tim Tawa and Max Kepler each had two RBIs as the Diamondbacks won three consecutive games for the first time since a five-game winning streak in May. Pfaadt (3-1) gave up two runs on six hits with no walks over 5 1/3 innings.
Andy Pages and Mookie Betts had RBI singles as the Dodgers dropped the first two contests of the three-game series and lost back-to-back games for the first time since June 20-21 at home against Baltimore. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (9-6) tied his career high by allowing six runs on five hits with four walks over six innings.
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