Full Breakdown
2026 MLB Draft Preview: A Rare C/SS Prospect and the Rising Class
6/27/2026, 9:14:34 PM
Core Event – The Draft Landscape and Key Prospects
The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft is shaping up as a talent-rich class, with the MLB Combine in Phoenix (June 23-26) showcasing 140 high-school players and MLB Pipeline releasing a mock draft that places Will Brick at the 40th overall pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Top selections projected include UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky (White Sox No. 1) and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey (Rays No. 2). Teams are balancing immediate needs—catcher depth, shortstop stability, and power-hitting potential—against long-term upside.
Unique C/SS Prospect – Will Brick of Christian Brothers (Memphis, TN)
Will Brick, a 6-ft-2-in, 195-lb, 18-year-old reclassified from the 2027 class, has played both catcher and shortstop at a high level for Christian Brothers High School. He has committed to Mississippi State and is ranked 62nd by Baseball America. Brick’s defensive toolkit includes a “double-plus arm” and sub-1.9-second pop times, with the ability to throw out runners at second from his knees. His lateral agility and blocking skills are described as “excellent,” while his receiving is still developing. Offensively, Brick makes frequent contact, shows line-drive gap power in batting practice, but lacks consistent over-the-fence power and displays a passive approach at the plate.
Data & Statistics – Measurables and Performance Metrics
- Height/Weight: 6-ft-2, 195 lb
- Pop time (catcher): < 1.9 seconds
- Arm strength: double-plus rating, throws 97 mph from shortstop (Combine highlight)
- Speed: below-average for a catcher but above typical baseline; no notable stolen-base threat
- Batting: mixed results; strong contact in BP, limited in-zone swing-and-miss, no clear power surge in games
Official Statements & Responses – MLB Pipeline Projections and Team Needs
MLB Pipeline’s mock draft places Brick at No. 40, noting the Dodgers’ willingness to select a high-school catcher with positional flexibility. The outlet also emphasizes the “super-high floor” of top shortstop Roch Cholowsky and the “fairly convicted” interest of the Rays in Vahn Lackey, underscoring the premium placed on defensive versatility and right-handed catching depth across the league.
Criticism & Opposition – Concerns About Hitting and Draft Stock
Analysts caution that Brick’s “rawness of the bat” and limited power have pushed his projection from a potential late first-rounder to a mid-second-round candidate. His swing shows “passive approach” and “in-zone swing and miss,” raising questions about his ability to generate consistent power at the professional level.
On-the-Ground Reports – Combine Highlights and Their Influence
The MLB Draft Combine produced record performances, including Noah Wilson’s 3.497-second 30-yard dash and Ethan Wachsmann’s 100-mph fastball, illustrating how standout metrics can elevate draft stock. While Brick did not appear among the six highlighted performers, the Combine’s visibility reinforces the importance of measurable tools for high-school prospects.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Variation in Brick’s Projected Round
One source suggests Brick could be a “Second or Third Round pick,” while another places him firmly in the “mid-second round” or later, reflecting divergent assessments of his offensive ceiling versus defensive upside. No comprehensive scouting video of his in-game hitting is publicly available, leaving a gap in evaluating his true power potential.
Verbatim Quotes
- “9 second pop times (he’s even thrown runners out at 2nd from his knees).” — *thegoodphight.com preview writer*
- “I’d be thrilled with Brick as a Second or Third Round pick, but the rawness of the bat would make me a bit nervous, though not upset, if he was the pick at 36.” — *thegoodphight.com analyst*
- “Very, very good player. Super-high floor. Has played shortstop for a long time. Strong track record at UCLA.” — *MLB Pipeline*
- “MLB Pipeline: “I have more teams [who are drafting] behind the Rays telling me they’re fairly convicted that the Rays are taking Lackey.” — *MLB Pipeline*
- “I opt that the Pirates will continue to try to build pitching, and Flora gives them another guy to come in behind the guys that have already gone to the big leagues and Seth Hernandez, who’s on his way up.” — *MLB Pipeline*
What’s Next – Draft Day Outlook for Brick
With the draft scheduled for early July, Brick’s final positioning will hinge on late-stage scouting reports and any additional Combine data. If teams prioritize defensive versatility, the Dodgers’ projected selection at No. 40 could materialize; otherwise, Brick may slide into the later second round, where his developmental upside remains a valuable asset for any organization.
