The opening round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft unfolded with the usual mix of anticipation and surprise, as teams turned their attention to the next generation of talent.
Opening Day Highlights
Among the prospects, three members of the LSU Tigers baseball program heard their names called on the first day. Derek Curiel was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates, while Jake Brown slipped to the Seattle Mariners at the 65th overall pick, and Deven Sheerin was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies at No. 128.
The selections underscored a modest but notable presence for the Tigers, with only three players drafted on the opening day, a figure that reflects both the competitiveness of the draft and the depth of LSU’s program.
The draft also featured the announcement that three of LSU’s high‑school signees had been chosen, though the most talked‑about name, Coleton Brady, decided to forgo the professional route and commit to the university.
With 16 rounds still to play, the draft’s momentum continues to build, and LSU’s director of player development, Jay Johnson, has indicated that 16 additional high‑school prospects remain undrafted, leaving open the possibility of further surprises.
As the day progresses, the implications of these picks will ripple through the college season, potentially reshaping team dynamics and future talent pipelines.