College Baseball · 8 months ago

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

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

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6) Final Thoughts: A Three-Horse Race with Room to Grow
The 2026 MLB Draft is still over a year away, and the landscape will shift. But as of now, Justin Lebron, Drew Burress, and Roch Cholowsky are leading the charge with elite tools, production, and polish.

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.

One thing’s certain: this debate is just heating up, and it’ll be a thrill to watch all the way to July 2026.

The post 2026 MLB Draft Showdown: Justin Lebron vs. Drew Burress vs. Roch Cholowsky. Who’s #1?! appeared first on Just Baseball.
1) 2026 MLB Draft Showdown: Justin Lebron vs. Drew Burress vs. Roch Cholowsky
Is it too early to start debating the top pick in the 2026 MLB Draft? Absolutely. Are we doing it anyway? Of course.

Three collegiate stars—Justin Lebron (Alabama), Drew Burress (Georgia Tech), and Roch Cholowsky (UCLA)—have quickly emerged as frontrunners for the coveted No. 1 overall slot. Each is a sophomore standout. Each brings a unique profile.

And all three are turning heads with both performance and makeup.

Let’s break down the early leaders in this budding draft battle.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
2) Justin Lebron: Twitch, Tools & Star Shortstop Upside
Lebron 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.

As of April 9, Lebron is slashing .343/.442/.737 with:
- 10 doubles, 1 triple, 14 HR, 56 RBI
- 110.5 mph max EV, 54% hard-hit rate
- 94th percentile avg. exit velocity
- 14% chase rate, 10% walk rate
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.

If he can reduce swing-and-miss and boost his walk rate, he checks every box teams look for in a franchise cornerstone. His power ceiling and defensive value make him one of the most complete players in the class.
3) Drew Burress: Pure Bat, Big Production, Zero Doubts
Where Lebron brings projection, Drew Burress brings polish. The Georgia Tech star has been a menace in the ACC since his debut and continues to rake in 2025.

Burress is currently hitting .366/.485/.794 with:
- 18 doubles, 1 triple, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 8 SB
- 113.5 mph max EV, 98th percentile avg. EV
- 17% walk rate and more walks than strikeouts
- 94th percentile chase rate
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.

He’s likely a corner outfielder long-term, but one with enough speed and arm strength to impact games defensively.
Teams looking for an impact college bat with low risk and immediate production will have difficulty passing on Burress.
4) Roch Cholowsky: West Coast Star With Two-Way Shine
Flying a bit under the radar thanks to time zone bias, UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky deserves every bit of spotlight in this conversation. A polished, high-IQ shortstop, Cholowsky is showcasing a complete game in 2025.

His April 9 stat line:
- .371/.532/.707, with 10 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 32 RBI
- 27 walks vs. 19 strikeouts in 32 games
- 114.1 mph max EV, 96th percentile hard-hit rate
Known more for his glove out of high school, Cholowsky’s power development has answered key questions. His swing decisions and strike zone control remain elite, and he’s added real pull-side juice to his game.

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.

With the floor and ceiling trending up, Cholowsky may be the most balanced profile in the draft.
5) What Else Will Influence the No. 1 Pick?
As always, the top selection won't come down to performance alone. Several factors could tip the scale in 2026:
- Draft Philosophy: A team prioritizing shortstops may lean toward Lebron or Cholowsky. A club craving high-floor bats may favor Burress.
- Signability: Willingness to sign under-slot could make a big difference.
- Model-Driven Front Offices: Teams using data-heavy models may favor players with elite chase rates, hard-hit metrics, or exit velocity profiles—boxes that all three check.
- Positional Depth: If college arms surge in 2025–26, it could shift the board. But right now, this class feels position-player heavy.
6) Final Thoughts: A Three-Horse Race with Room to Grow
The 2026 MLB Draft is still over a year away, and the landscape will shift. But as of now, Justin Lebron, Drew Burress, and Roch Cholowsky are leading the charge with elite tools, production, and polish.

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.

One thing’s certain: this debate is just heating up, and it’ll be a thrill to watch all the way to July 2026.

The post 2026 MLB Draft Showdown: Justin Lebron vs. Drew Burress vs. Roch Cholowsky. Who’s #1?! appeared first on Just Baseball.
1) 2026 MLB Draft Showdown: Justin Lebron vs. Drew Burress vs. Roch Cholowsky
Is it too early to start debating the top pick in the 2026 MLB Draft? Absolutely. Are we doing it anyway? Of course.

Three collegiate stars—Justin Lebron (Alabama), Drew Burress (Georgia Tech), and Roch Cholowsky (UCLA)—have quickly emerged as frontrunners for the coveted No. 1 overall slot. Each is a sophomore standout. Each brings a unique profile.

And all three are turning heads with both performance and makeup.

Let’s break down the early leaders in this budding draft battle.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.

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

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