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2026 MLB Draft Begins July 11; Rangers, Pirates Target Stars

7/7/2026

Summary

Rangers Target Condon

The 2026 MLB Draft begins on July 11, 2026.
The Texas Rangers could take high-school outfielder Trevor Condon with the 16th pick.
The Toronto Blue Jays hold Day 1 picks at 39, 103 and 131.
JoJo Parker (shortstop) posted an .845 OPS with nine homers and 21 steals in 25 attempts.
The Pittsburgh Pirates own the fifth pick and could select catcher Vahn Lackey, who hit .397 with 20 homers and 78 RBIs.

Summary

White Sox Draft

MLB draft rounds will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Grand Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. CDT, starting at 1 p.m. ET during MLB All-Star Week.
Chicago White Sox secured the No. 1 overall pick by winning the draft lottery at the December winter meetings.
Minnesota Twins have the No. 4 selection in each round from rounds six through twenty, ensuring a steady flow of later picks.

Summary

MLB Owners Trim

MLB owners are weighing cutting the draft to 12 rounds and barring high-school players.
The proposal would raise draft eligibility to age 20, limiting selections to college athletes.
Supporters argue the change would lower signing-bonus costs, delay free agency and reduce club expenses.
The 2026 draft could be the last under the current collective bargaining agreement.
The talent pool has been described as “staggeringly mediocre,” reflecting COVID-era draft fallout.

History

Historical Context

In March 2020 MLB and the MLBPA agreed to shrink the amateur draft from 40 to five rounds as the pandemic reshaped the season. The five-round format forced clubs like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox to target college prospects. The 2026 draft in Philadelphia now revisits that debate, with owners weighing further cuts that could end the current CBA’s draft structure.

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Rangers Target Condon

The 2026 MLB Draft begins on July 11, 2026.
The Texas Rangers could take high-school outfielder Trevor Condon with the 16th pick.
The Toronto Blue Jays hold Day 1 picks at 39, 103 and 131.
JoJo Parker (shortstop) posted an .845 OPS with nine homers and 21 steals in 25 attempts.
The Pittsburgh Pirates own the fifth pick and could select catcher Vahn Lackey, who hit .397 with 20 homers and 78 RBIs.

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