SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

Unexpected MLB Over Teams: Cardinals, Cubs, & Angels

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Is it too early to start debating the top pick in the <b data-stringify-type="bold">2026 MLB Draft</b>? Absolutely. Are we doing it anyway? Of course.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">Three collegiate stars—<b data-stringify-type="bold">Justin Lebron</b> (Alabama), <b data-stringify-type="bold">Drew Burress</b> (Georgia Tech), and <b data-stringify-type="bold">Roch Cholowsky</b> (UCLA)—have quickly emerged as frontrunners for the coveted No. 1 overall slot. Each is a sophomore standout. Each brings a unique profile.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">And all three are turning heads with both performance and makeup.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">Let’s break down the early leaders in this budding draft battle.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><i data-stringify-type="italic">Thanks to </i><b data-stringify-type="bold"><i data-stringify-type="italic"><a class="c-link" href="https://www.justbaseball.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.justbaseball.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Just Baseball</a></i></b><i data-stringify-type="italic"> for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.</i></div>

1) 2026 MLB Draft Showdown: Justin Lebron vs. Drew Burress vs. Roch Cholowsky

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<div class="p-rich_text_section"><strong>Lebron</strong> has exploded in his second season at Alabama, transforming from an exciting freshman to a legitimate No. 1 overall contender. His 2024 numbers were already substantial (.338/.429/.546, 12 HR), but his 2025 breakout is on another level.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">As of April 9, Lebron is slashing <b data-stringify-type="bold">.343/.442/.737</b> with:</div>
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">10 doubles, 1 triple, 14 HR, 56 RBI</b></li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">110.5 mph max EV, 54% hard-hit rate</b></li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">94th percentile avg. exit velocity</b></li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">14% chase rate, 10% walk rate</b></li>
</ul>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">The offensive growth is matched by elite athleticism and defensive instincts. Lebron projects as a long-term shortstop with plus range, a solid internal clock, and the physicality to stay at the position.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">If he can reduce swing-and-miss and boost his walk rate, he checks every box teams look for in a franchise cornerstone. His <b data-stringify-type="bold">power ceiling and defensive value</b> make him one of the most complete players in the class.</div>

2) Justin Lebron: Twitch, Tools & Star Shortstop Upside

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Where <strong>Lebron</strong> brings projection, <b data-stringify-type="bold">Drew Burress</b> brings polish. The Georgia Tech star has been a menace in the ACC since his debut and continues to rake in 2025.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">Burress is currently hitting <b data-stringify-type="bold">.366/.485/.794</b> with:</div>
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">18 doubles, 1 triple, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 8 SB</b></li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">113.5 mph max EV, 98th percentile avg. EV</b></li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">17% walk rate and more walks than strikeouts</b></li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">94th percentile chase rate</b></li>
</ul>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">Despite his smaller frame, Burress generates elite power with quick-twitch bat speed and advanced swing decisions. His approach is mature, his contact is loud, and his statline is pristine.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">He’s likely a corner outfielder long-term, but one with enough speed and arm strength to impact games defensively.<br />
Teams looking for an <b data-stringify-type="bold">impact college bat with low risk</b> and immediate production will have difficulty passing on Burress.</div>

3) Drew Burress: Pure Bat, Big Production, Zero Doubts

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Flying a bit under the radar thanks to time zone bias, <b data-stringify-type="bold">UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky</b> deserves every bit of spotlight in this conversation. A polished, high-IQ shortstop, Cholowsky is showcasing a complete game in 2025.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">His April 9 stat line:</div>
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">.371/.532/.707</b>, with <b data-stringify-type="bold">10 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 32 RBI</b></li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">27 walks vs. 19 strikeouts in 32 games</b></li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">114.1 mph max EV, 96th percentile hard-hit rate</b></li>
</ul>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">Known more for his glove out of high school, Cholowsky’s <b data-stringify-type="bold">power development</b> has answered key questions. His <b data-stringify-type="bold">swing decisions and strike zone control</b> remain elite, and he’s added real pull-side juice to his game.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">Defensively, he’s silky smooth—quick reactions, above-average range, plus arm strength. He’s already made some highlight-reel plays and looks like a no-doubt shortstop at the next level.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section">With the <b data-stringify-type="bold">floor and ceiling trending up</b>, Cholowsky may be the most balanced profile in the draft.</div>

4) Roch Cholowsky: West Coast Star With Two-Way Shine

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">As always, the top selection won't come down to performance alone. Several factors could tip the scale in 2026:</div>
<ul class="p-rich_text_list p-rich_text_list__bullet p-rich_text_list--nested" data-stringify-type="unordered-list" data-list-tree="true" data-indent="0" data-border="0">
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">Draft Philosophy</b>: A team prioritizing shortstops may lean toward Lebron or Cholowsky. A club craving high-floor bats may favor Burress.</li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">Signability</b>: Willingness to sign under-slot could make a big difference.</li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">Model-Driven Front Offices</b>: Teams using data-heavy models may favor players with elite chase rates, hard-hit metrics, or exit velocity profiles—boxes that all three check.</li>
	<li data-stringify-indent="0" data-stringify-border="0"><b data-stringify-type="bold">Positional Depth</b>: If college arms surge in 2025–26, it could shift the board. But right now, this class feels <b data-stringify-type="bold">position-player heavy</b>.</li>
</ul>

5) What Else Will Influence the No. 1 Pick?

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">The 2026 MLB Draft is still over a year away, and the landscape will shift. But as of now, <b data-stringify-type="bold">Justin Lebron, Drew Burress, and Roch Cholowsky</b> are leading the charge with elite tools, production, and polish.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section"><br />
Whether you prefer Lebron’s athleticism and positional value, Burress’ bat-to-ball brilliance, or Cholowsky’s emerging power and defensive prowess, there’s no wrong answer—yet.</div>
<div class="p-rich_text_section"><br />
One thing’s certain: this debate is <b data-stringify-type="bold">just heating up</b>, and it’ll be a thrill to watch all the way to July 2026.<span class="c-message__edited_label" dir="ltr" data-sk="tooltip_parent"> </span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><i data-stringify-type="italic">The post </i><i data-stringify-type="italic"><a class="c-link" href="https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb-draft/2026-mlb-draft-showdown-justin-lebron-drew-burress-roch-cholowsky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb-draft/2026-mlb-draft-showdown-justin-lebron-drew-burress-roch-cholowsky/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">2026 MLB Draft Showdown: Justin Lebron vs. Drew Burress vs. Roch Cholowsky. Who’s #1?!</a></i><i data-stringify-type="italic"> appeared first on </i><i data-stringify-type="italic"><a class="c-link" href="https://www.justbaseball.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://www.justbaseball.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Just Baseball</a></i><i data-stringify-type="italic">.</i><span class="c-message__edited_label" dir="ltr" data-sk="tooltip_parent"> </span></div>

6) Final Thoughts: A Three-Horse Race with Room to Grow

2026 MLB Draft: D1Baseball Top Picks Lebron, Burress, Cholowsky

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As the college baseball season unfolds, the top prospects for the MLB Draft continue to show what they're capable of. Here's a rundown of each top prospect.

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