8 College Hitters at the Top of the 2026 MLB Draft, Part One

[Jamie Cameron]

Image courtesy of © Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

For once, it’s not too early. The Twins currently hold the second-best odds for the top pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, which shapes up as a strong class. After breaking down their lottery situation, it’s time to look at some of the prospects who could be available when they’re on the clock.

Of course, the usual caveats apply. There is a full college season ahead, and much can change. Still, this group of college bats at the top stands out for its polish and balance. Compared to the 2025 crop, these players generally show more advanced hit tools and fewer strikeouts in their profiles.

Given the wide range of potential outcomes for the Twins first round pick, this is a broad look at top college hitters, with pieces on prep hitters and notable arms to follow. In this article, we will spotlight four players, with four more coming next week. Outside of Roch Cholowsky, the clear cut number one prospect in the class, you can make compelling cases for several different rankings. Accordingly, players here are listed alphabetically.

For each prospect, you will find their name, position, school, hitting and throwing hands, and age on Draft Day 2026, followed by their 2025 stat line (stolen bases included only for players with 10 or more).

Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky, B/R (21 years old)
2025 Stats: .296/.385/.522 (.907), 100 wRC+, 10 HR (29 XBH), 11 SB, 9.1 BB%, 22.3 K%

A 2024 second round pick (No. 66 overall) by the Rays, Bell opted to honor his commitment to Kentucky and quickly became one of the better freshmen in the nation. A true switch hitter, Bell has a smooth swing from both sides and strong bat to ball skills, particularly against fastballs. While he is still refining swing decisions, he already shows above average power (max EVs north of 110 mph). Defensively, he is a fluid, rangy shortstop with enough arm to stay at the position long term.

Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech, R/R (21)
2025 Stats: .333/.469/.693 (1.162), 151 wRC+, 19 HR (43 XBH), 10 SB, 18.3 BB%, 14.5 K%

Few hitters in college baseball have been as productive as Burress over the last two years at Georgia Tech. Despite a quieter Cape Cod stint in 2024, he has shown explosive bat speed and a twitchy, compact swing that punishes fastballs. He rarely chases, though off-speed pitches can give him some trouble. At just 5'9", Burress is undersized but athletic and instinctive in center field, where his above average speed and arm strength play well.

Death, Taxes, and Burress Bombs. 💣@GTBaseball junior OF Drew Burress touching off to the pull-side for the no-doubter.

104 EV/398ft.

1.246 OPS with 44 HR, 38 2B, 129 RBI over his first two years at Tech. One of the top OF in the country.@PB_DraftHQ @DSeifertD1PBR pic.twitter.com/GQRfMqY7cN

— Ian Smith (@IanSmittyGA) October 10, 2025

Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA, R/R (21)
2025 Stats: .353/.480/.710 (1.190), 165 wRC+, 23 HR (43 XBH), 13.9 BB%, 9.3 K%

Cholowsky has separated himself as the consensus number one prospect in the 2026 class, and for good reason. His sophomore campaign at UCLA showcased elite performance across the board. He pairs advanced plate discipline (44% swing rate) and exceptional contact rates (80% overall, 90% in zone) with real power (113 mph max EV, 106.5 mph EV90). Add in plus defense at shortstop, a strong arm, and leadership makeup, and Cholowsky looks like the most complete college shortstop prospect in a decade.

AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia, L/L (21)
2025 Stats: .293/.449/.558 (1.007), 126 wRC+, 15 HR (26 XBH), 20 BB%, 12.6 K%

After a slow start to 2025, Gracia adjusted his setup, simplifying his move to contact, and found his rhythm. The result is a premium left handed offensive profile: a smooth, loft driven swing, excellent bat speed, and elite contact ability (upper 80s contact rate, 92% in zone) paired with a disciplined approach (20% walk rate). Though he is more of a corner outfielder with average speed and modest defensive tools, Gracia’s bat could carry him into the top half of the first round if he continues to produce.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

For me it’s Cholowsky, Gracia (I don’t know how often I will type Garcia by accident) and Grady Emerson in some order. At least as of today. Will be fun to watch this draft season and the lottery unfold. Thanks!

[Doctor Gast]

It's early & we have a bunch of SS but I like Cholowski the best of those showcased here.

[LambchoP]

Another SS likely to be drafted by the Twins. Culpeper, Marek and now maybe another one this year. As long as one of these guys ends up a productive big league, I don't care what position they end up at.

[tony&rodney]

Best player available. 

IMO, that is either the best pitching prospect (I know, I know TINSTAAPP) or an athletic position player who can hit, run. field and throw.

[Permanent Twins Fan]

As of now Roch Cholowski is the clear number 1 overall pick. Granted, a lot can change between now and July, but as of now if the Twins miss out on him, I would prefer they pick up an elite college pitcher who can quickly ascend to Majors. Cam Flukey from Coastal Carolina and Liam Peterson from Florida are both of interest to me if the Twins aren't picking number one.

[gman]

20 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Best player available. 

IMO, that is either the best pitching prospect (I know, I know TINSTAAPP) or an athletic position player who can hit, run. field and throw.

I agree. I would add "with good knowledge of the strike zone".

[gman]

I wonder how Cholowski compares to Bobbby Witt at a similar time? I could stand the Twins drafting a Bobby Witt type player.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, gman said:

I wonder how Cholowski compares to Bobbby Witt at a similar time? I could stand the Twins drafting a Bobby Witt type player.

That would be a dream. I think there is only one Witt Jr.

[TopGunn#22]

Indeed, there is only ONE Bobby Witt Jr.  But Roch could be a very reasonable facsimile.  If the Twins end up with the #1 pick and Cholowski has another dominant college season, the Twins simply MUST select him.  I could see Roch moving through the system quickly.  

If Culpepper and Houston keep improving and showing promise, Roch is still the pick.  I could see Culpepper joining the Twins by June 1st of next year.  Marek Houston is then promoted to St. Paul in a corresponding move, imagine what the Twins infield could look like in 2027.

To me, Houston is the key in this.  His glove is that of a future Gold Glover.  If he's able to hit .280 with a .360-.370 OBP and hit with enough extra base power to OPS at .750-.770 (throw in 15ish SB's) he would project to be a solid SS.

Then project Roch to Bobby Witt Jr. "Lite."  He could find himself at 3B with Culpepper at 2B.  What an INFIELD !!  The question there would be who plays 1B.  Depending on the moves (or lack thereof) this off season, there's a chance Keaschall ends up at 1B or LF. 

That could be the best Twins infield for hitting and fielding since Gaetti, Gagne, Knoblauch and Hrbek. 

If Marek Houston falls short of the above offensive projection, he would still make an outstanding Utility player with a stellar glove and good base running skills.  Roch is the SS and Culpepper goes to 3rd with Keaschall remaining at 2B.    

It still projects to be a pretty good IF, both offensively and defensively.  

[Trov]

I personally am not a fan of college bats as top picks.  I like college arms or high school bats.  I am not saying there are plenty of college bats that get drafted high and do just fine, but I tend to find more college bats at top of draft seem to be busts by percentage.  I could be wrong, never done the full research, but just seems to be how it happens in my mind. 

That being said, Cholowsky sounds like the best hitter in the group, and if he can defend SS, all the bonus.  Sure, there will be the, and yet again another SS eye roll by fans that do not understand SS are drafted at a higher rate because they are athletes and can move down the defense rungs, but no one will be drafted as a 1st baseman and move to a more defense minded position, or 2nd base and move over to SS.  There are very few times a 3rd baseman can swing to SS only because they played with a better defender at SS, but that is rare. 

[jmlease1]

Best player available. Would love to get Cholowsky; everything about him to date screams "star quality". And I don't worry about position for the draft: guys this good will get on the field. I'd love to have the problem of deciding who should be the long-term SS for the Twins, Culpepper or Cholowsky.

[TwinsDr2021]

On 10/12/2025 at 2:27 PM, TopGunn#22 said:

To me, Houston is the key in this.  His glove is that of a future Gold Glover.  If he's able to hit .280 with a .360-.370 OBP

Just an FYI, only 20 guys in the majors this year had a OBP of .360 or greater, so that it would be pretty amazing. 

[twinstalker]

Cholowsky.  But I only see four?