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

[Jamie Cameron]

Image courtesy of © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

We’re well into an early edition of previewing the Twins 2026 draft situation at Twins Daily. After examining their lottery situation, the first part of this series was published last week. I dug into mini-profiles on Tyler Bell, Drew Burress, Roch Cholowsky, and AJ Gracia. In the next few weeks, we’ll add some prep names and some pitchers to the mix. For now, here’s the second cluster of college hitters.

While the obvious caveats all apply here (we have a whole college season between now and the draft, plenty can change), this is a very strong group of college bats at the top. The main differences for me, between this group and the cluster from 2025 are the well-roundedness of the profiles. Generally speaking, there are better hit tools and less strikeouts in this top tier of college hitters.

Because there are a wide range of outcomes still possible for the Twins first round pick, I’m offering up a decently expansive list of college hitters (with prep hitters and relevant prep and college arms to follow). I’ve listed prospects alphabetically by last name. Outside of Cholowsky being the current clear consensus number one prospect, you can make plenty of compelling arguments for ordering the rest in diverse ways.

For each prospect, you’ll find their name, primary position, college, hitting and throwing hands, and their age on draft day 2026. You’ll find a summary of their 2025 performance, with stolen bases only listed for prospects who accumulated more than ten.

Chris Hacopian, INF, Texas A&M, R/R (21)
2025 Stats (Maryland): .375/.502/.656 (1.158), 165 wRC+, 14 HR (26 XBH), 16.1 BB%, 7.6 K%
Hacopian was one of the prizes of the transfer portal this offseason, moving from Maryland to Texas A&M for his (likely) final collegiate season after an exceptional first two years with the Terps. This is another exceptionally well rounded offensive profile. Hacopian has a bit of a noisy operation, but much like Burress, it’s a ton of bat speed and twitch. He runs otherworldly contact numbers against fastballs (95% contact rate in 2025), with good power, particularly to the pull side. All of this is supplemented by an impressive approach, with 40 walks against 19 strikeouts in 52 games in 2025. Defensively, he might be described as ‘steady not spectacular’. Hacopian handled shortstop well for Maryland, but may move to third base for the Aggies in 2026. Ultimately, another spot on the first seems like a more logical defensive home.

Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama, R/R (21)
2025 Stats: .316/.421/.636 (1.058), 127 wRC+, 18 HR (37 XBH), 17 SB, 12.5 BB%, 24.2 K%
Lebron is one of the most exciting prospects in the class and oozes upside. He took several steps forward in his offensive profile in 2025 (particularly in his ability to slug) despite a mediocre performance during SEC play. It’s plenty of bat speed from the right side, although there are some holes in his swing currently. He’s particularly strong up in the zone, and susceptible to breaking stuff down in the zone. Defensively, he’s fluid, with a strong arm and should stick at shortstop long term. In fact, he might be the best athlete of this cluster of college hitters at the top of the class (there’s a good run tool here, too). If he can improve his approach and his hit tool down in the zone, he could be a monster.

Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi St, L/R (21)
2025 Stats: .352/.422/.718 (1.140), 139 wRC+, 21 HR (40 XBH), 9.9 BB%, 19.8 K%
Reese transferred from Houston to Mississippi State prior to the 2025 season and proceeded to have one of the better breakouts in college baseball. It’s a big league frame at 6’3, 210 pounds, with an offensive profile underpinned by an ability to slug. It’s a clean swing from the left side with excellent bat speed, and Reese has a knack for finding the barrel. Despite some chase in his profile, there’s above average bat-to-ball skills. 20 home run seasons with a sub 20% strikeout rate are at a premium in college baseball. Reese moved to third base last season, and it’s likely the hot corner, or a corner outfield spot long term defensively, where it’ll be a solid, not spectacular defense. This is one of the best college slugging profiles in the class.

Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU, L/L, (21)
2025 Stats: .350/.420/.650 (1.070), 138 wRC+, 11 HR (34 XBH), 10 SB, 8 BB%, 18.7 K%
Sawyer Strosnider might be a half step below the other names I’ve profiled so far currently, but I’m including him as he’s a personal favorite, and I’m tipping him to have a big 2026 season. Strosnider was probably the best freshman in the country in 2025 and has a combination of big league size and good tools across the board. There’s plus speed here, Strosnider clubbed 10 triples to go with his 11 home runs in 2025 (and a MaxEV north of 112 mph). He’ll have a chance to stick in centerfield due to the speed and athleticism. To take a step forward in 2026, Strosnider needs to reign in an overly aggressive approach characterized by too much chase. If he does, watch out.

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[tony&rodney]

Interesting reads. I follow the minor leagues but don't often follow anyone in college, so these reports are good to read. Thank you.

[TopGunn#22]

Keep these reports coming Jamie !!  They make for interesting reading.  I wonder if a few of these hitters could also be picked with comp picks at the end of round #1 or in the 2nd or 3rd round as well.  

It will be interesting to see how some of these guys do in 2026 and what the Twins plan is for drafting in 2026.  

If the Twins are lucky enough to end up with #1 overall, and they pick Roch Chololsky, how will that affect what their plan would be for rounds #2-#4?  

[jmlease1]

Justin Lebron is interesting, but the step back he took in SEC play is a little worrisome. Feels like there's a real step down after Cholowsky from the college ranks? But is that because Cholowsky just looks like such a can't miss star prospect or because the other guys are lesser talents? Interesting question. And some people might like the way they see Lebron's tools translating and value his quickness.

Seems like things are really open right now after Cholowsky.

[Dman]

Picking this high I'd prefer up the middle players.  Finding a Center fielder with plus speed would be ideal as we don't really have much in the system.  Maybe Winokur has plus speed, but I think Jenkins and Rodriguez are just above average not elite there.

I like the Lebron's profile.  Very well rounded with the bat speed the Twins seem to crave.  Will be interesting to see how he does this year.  If he can get better about not chasing his numbers could be even better.

If Strosnider can stick in center and be plus defensively I'll be cheering for him to be the Twins pick if they fall down the board.  Here's to hoping he can better about not chasing balls out of the zone.

Can't wait to see where the Twins pick and what the board will look like.

[Trov]

When I read a guy "oozes upside" but will be 21 at time of draft, I question how much upside he really will have.  I want my college bats near complete if I am drafting them 1st overall.  If they cannot be expected to nearly break the next season, at most 2 seasons, I am not drafting them 1st hitter overall. Of course, he may show that when he starts hitting next year before the draft, but if I am taking a guy that is 21 1st overall he better be nearly complete as a hitter and not need 3 or more years in minors to help.  I get some do, but they rarely are 1st overall picks, and the ones that are get considered busts. 

[DocBauer]

Obviously, as of today, there is a consensus #1 and we have a good chance to get him. And if we don't have the #1 pick, you go with the BPA.

But my hope would be a top of the rotation arm, or a pure CF with a good bat would be available ad a future Buxton replacement.  In total agreement with @Dmanthat an up the middle position is the way to go unless there's a special arm sitting there waiting for us.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Great series of articles. Thanks Jamie.

[jmlease1]

28 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Obviously, as of today, there is a consensus #1 and we have a good chance to get him. And if we don't have the #1 pick, you go with the BPA.

But my hope would be a top of the rotation arm, or a pure CF with a good bat would be available ad a future Buxton replacement.  In total agreement with @Dmanthat an up the middle position is the way to go unless there's a special arm sitting there waiting for us.

I both want the special arm and fear taking them. I would love to get a front-line college starter who could step in almost immediately. And I'd probably be too scared to take them! Oh, the injury risk... :P

[Whitey333]

Great articles Jamie!!   I really appreciate all the research that went into it.  It's just so sad that here we are again as Twins fans: trying to find another can't miss prospects.  With the Twins almost always miss.  Given the fact the Twins are rebuilding yet again, they need to get a top college player that could even make the Twins in 2026.  My confidence level in the Twins to properly draft AND develop top young talent is at an all time low.

[ashbury]

18 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

I both want the special arm and fear taking them. I would love to get a front-line college starter who could step in almost immediately. And I'd probably be too scared to take them! Oh, the injury risk... :P

Yes, because high draft pick position players like Buxton, Correa, and Lewis rarely get injured.

[jmlease1]

6 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Yes, because high draft pick position players like Buxton, Correa, and Lewis rarely get injured.

oh, I hear you. for some reason, pitcher injuries always seem worse. I'm not going to pretend this is entirely rational.

[KBJ1]

Just don't draft any more shortstops, please! 5 tool OF, please & thank you. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

Give me a piece of the Roch. Otherwise in this group if we end up picking lower I like Hacopian. We could use an 1B. Now. But in his case a bit later.

[Jamie Cameron]

On 10/14/2025 at 11:47 AM, Trov said:

When I read a guy "oozes upside" but will be 21 at time of draft, I question how much upside he really will have.  I want my college bats near complete if I am drafting them 1st overall.  If they cannot be expected to nearly break the next season, at most 2 seasons, I am not drafting them 1st hitter overall. Of course, he may show that when he starts hitting next year before the draft, but if I am taking a guy that is 21 1st overall he better be nearly complete as a hitter and not need 3 or more years in minors to help.  I get some do, but they rarely are 1st overall picks, and the ones that are get considered busts. 

I get what you're saying, and at the same time, we know development isn't linear, so questioning how much 'real upside' a 21 year old might have feels a little overly critical. I think in this case, we can use that language as a proxy for Lebron's athleticism translating into even more impressive baseball skill than he's shown thus far.

[Mike Sixel]

On 10/15/2025 at 7:35 AM, ashbury said:

Yes, because high draft pick position players like Buxton, Correa, and Lewis rarely get injured.

One of the arguments for Lewis over Greene, IIRC. How'd that work out? I'm all in on top SP.....but I'll admit this time, number one? If things stay as is? The consensus SS guy for sure.

[twinstalker]

Cholowsky,