2026 MLB Draft Sets Stage for College Standouts
The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft will unfold over two days and 20 rounds, coinciding with the All‑Star weekend festivities in Philadelphia. The timing gives teams a concentrated window to evaluate talent before the next season’s roster decisions.
Among the prospects, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have at least three players who are expected to hear their names called, a rare concentration that could boost the program’s draft profile.
Kollin Ritchie: Power Hitter on the Rise
Outfielder Kollin Ritchie, a power hitter who topped the 2025 collegiate season with 31 home runs and a .326 batting average, sits just outside the Top 100 on draft boards and is projected to be selected as early as the fourth round. He previously entered the draft in 2023, when the Baltimore Orioles took him in the 19th round.
Alex Conover: Consistent Contact
Another outfielder, Alex Conover, ranks inside the Top 200 and could be drafted in rounds six through eight. Conover led the Cowboys with a .357 average last season, adding 14 home runs and 37 RBI, underscoring his consistent contact hitting.
Hudson Barrett: Left‑Handed Pitching Threat
Left‑handed pitcher Hudson Barrett is on the cusp of a Top‑10‑round selection. In 13 games he posted a 6‑1 record, a 2.58 ERA, struck out 64 batters and walked only 15, a performance that scouts attribute in part to his rare left‑handed delivery.
The trio’s potential selections reflect both individual talent and the Cowboys’ growing pipeline of MLB‑ready prospects, a development that could influence future recruiting and team strategy.
Scouting Perspective
Scouts often prioritize power hitters and left‑handed arms, and Ritchie’s raw pop, Conover’s batting consistency, and Barrett’s delivery angle each check boxes that elevate their draft stock.