Mississippi places four in MLB first round as state produces 24 draftees

Mississippi continued to supply top professional baseball talent during the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, producing four first-round picks and 24 players overall among the 613 selections over the draft’s 20 rounds.

State talent shines at the top

On Saturday, four Mississippi natives — Oak Grove High School outfielder Eric Booth Jr., Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese, and Ole Miss pitchers Cade Townsend and Taylor Rabe — were chosen in the first round. Booth was the first Mississippian taken, selected seventh overall by the Baltimore Orioles. Reese went 24th overall to the Seattle Mariners.

The state’s four first-rounders tied for the second-most of any state in this draft class; California and Georgia each had five, while South Carolina also had four. In total, Mississippi players accounted for 24 of the 613 draft selections.

Scouting notes and local backgrounds

Booth arrived at the draft with strong pre-draft metrics and a decorated high school career. Scouts noted his speed — a reported 6.33-second 60-yard dash — and an outstanding offensive record at Oak Grove: a .441 batting average, 16 home runs, 86 RBIs and 61 extra-base hits in 295 career at-bats. His on-base percentage over four varsity seasons was a remarkable .612. Baltimore’s vice president of domestic scouting, Will Robertson, praised Booth’s blend of power and speed:

“He has a huge engine, as we call it. He’s super powerful, both running the bases and moving the bat. That leads to impact outcomes, both defensively in center field and offensively with the power-speed combination. Super young for his class, and has always hit everywhere he’s gone. He really can adjust the barrel and get to pitches all over the strike zone. He’s very selective with what he wants to swing at, and he’s always been an offensive producer.”

Reese’s profile reflects his success at Mississippi State, where he emerged as one of the nation’s top collegiate hitters. In two seasons in Starkville he started 118 games and compiled a .341 batting average with 45 home runs, 138 RBIs and a 1.144 OPS. His selection at No. 24 made him the highest-drafted third baseman in Mississippi State history.

More Mississippi names and context

Mississippi’s presence in the draft extended beyond the first round. Magnolia Heights Academy infielder Cole Prosek was the second pick in the second round, adding to the state’s early-round representation. Overall, 24 players from Mississippi were chosen across the draft’s 20 rounds.

• First-rounders from Mississippi: Eric Booth Jr. (Oak Grove), Ace Reese (Mississippi State), Cade Townsend (Ole Miss), Taylor Rabe (Ole Miss)
• Notable second-round selection: Cole Prosek (Magnolia Heights Academy), second pick of round 2
• Total Mississippi picks: 24 of 613 selections

The draft results spotlight the state’s deep pipeline from high schools and collegiate programs, particularly the Southeastern Conference and prominent Mississippi high school teams, into professional baseball. For local communities — from Oak Grove to Starkville to the Ole Miss campus — these selections are milestones for coaches, families and youth programs that support player development.

As these newly drafted players begin professional careers, their selections will reverberate back to their hometowns, high schools and college programs. Local youth leagues, coaches and recruiters often point to such drafts as evidence of the state’s continued role in developing baseball talent.

— Jerome Patterson, Mississippi Correspondent