The 2026 MLB Draft is set to begin on July 11th, and as we eagerly anticipate the future of baseball, it's fascinating to reflect on the past. Over the last decade, Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have drafted and developed a diverse range of players, some of whom have gone on to become MVP candidates, Cy Young winners, All-Stars, Rookies of the Year, and top prospects. This article takes a closer look at each club's best Draft pick from the past 10 years, highlighting the impact and potential of these players.
AL East
- Boston Red Sox: Roman Anthony (2022, supplemental second round) - A potential superstar, Anthony has established himself as the game's top prospect. He slashed .292/.396/.463 in his rookie season, becoming the third-youngest player in AL/NL history to homer and draw four walks in the same game. A left oblique injury and a torn tendon in his right ring finger have sidelined him since early May.
- New York Yankees: Cam Schlittler (2022, seventh round) - Dominating in his first two years at Northeastern, Schlittler slipped in his third year. The Yankees helped him add velocity, and he became a postseason hero in 2025 and an All-Star this year, leading the AL with a 2.01 ERA and ranking second with 131 strikeouts.
AL Central
- Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber (2016, fourth round) - Bieber stood out for his control at UC Santa Barbara. The Guardians improved his fastball and breaking pitches, leading to All-Star nods in 2019 and 2021, an AL Cy Young Award, and a pitching triple crown in 2020. Elbow issues and Tommy John surgery have limited his starts in recent years.
- Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. (2019, first round) - Witt has become the face of the franchise, signing an 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension in February 2024. He's one of baseball's best five-tool talents, with power and speed that ranks among the best in the Majors.
AL West
- Los Angeles Angels: Zach Neto (2022, first round) - Neto has been a steady performer since his big league debut in April 2023. He had back-to-back 5+ WAR seasons in 2024 and '25, with 49 homers and 56 steals combined over those two seasons.
- Houston Astros: Jeremy Peña (2018, third round) - Peña, one of the best defensive shortstops in the 2018 college class, won a Gold Glove and Championship Series MVP in 2022. He swatted 22 homers during the regular season and became the first rookie shortstop to win a Gold Glove.
NL East
- Atlanta Braves: Michael Harris II (2019, third round) - Signed for slightly under slot, Harris stands fourth among all draftees from his class with 17.1 WAR. He was named NL Rookie of the Year in 2022 and turned in his first 20-20 season in 2025.
- Miami Marlins: Michael King (2016, 12th round) - King, the lowest-drafted player on this list, stood out for his feel for pitching at Boston College. He became a quality starter after joining the Padres in the Juan Soto deal.
NL Central
- Milwaukee Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski (2022, second round) - Misiorowski, a typical JUCO find, has a lightning-armed fastball that has reached 105.5 mph. He's improving control and picking up strikeouts, and the Brewers' certified ace could win his first NL Cy Young this year.
- St. Louis Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt (2024, first round) - Wetherholt is off to a terrific career start, setting himself up to be a franchise cornerstone. He's an all-around above-average hitter and one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball.
NL West
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Corbin Carroll (2019, first round) - Slightly overlooked due to his lack of size, Carroll rose to become the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year. He helped Arizona to its second World Series appearance and had a 30-30 season in 2025.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Will Smith (2016, first round) - Smith blossomed into the best all-around catcher in the 2016 Draft. He has starred on both sides of the ball for the Dodgers, winning three World Series and getting All-Star recognition for three straight seasons from 2023-25.
