A Colorado Pitcher's Leap to the Majors
Ethan Wachsmann, a right‑handed pitcher out of Grandview High School in Aurora, Colorado, was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, a pick that underscores the continued emergence of Colorado talent on the national stage.
During his senior season, Wachsmann posted a 6‑2 record with a 2.10 earned run average and struck out 66 batters, numbers that helped his team capture the Centennial League championship and added two no‑hitters to a résumé that already hinted at ace‑level potential.
Draft Night Prospects
Scouts praised his poise on the mound and his ability to command a sharp fastball mixed with a biting slider, traits that reminded many of former Grandview standout Kevin Gausman, who elected to hone his craft at Vanderbilt before ascending to the majors.
The 79th overall selection is projected to command a signing bonus of roughly $1.05 million, a figure that reflects both his high upside and the competitive nature of the draft’s third round, where teams often balance risk with the desire to lock in emerging arms.
Wachsmann now faces a decision: sign with the Twins and begin his professional career, or honor a commitment to college baseball, a path he shares with several of his peers who have chosen to develop their skills at the collegiate level before entering the draft.
His potential signing also revives memories of other Grandview alumni who have made similar jumps, such as Greg Bird, whose draft rights were eventually acquired by the New York Yankees, and Hudson Alpert, another local prospect whose name surfaced among the later selections.
The draft also highlighted a broader trend of Colorado prep schools producing polished pitchers, with names like Keaton Maiorana and Gunnar Garrison joining the conversation, suggesting that the state’s baseball pipeline may soon yield even more major‑league talent.