The 2026 MLB Draft Combine is set to unfold from June 23 to 25 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing together a select group of prospects who will showcase their talents before scouts and team officials.
Four current members of the LSU baseball roster — Derek Curiel, Jake Brown, Cooper Moore and Deven Sheerin — have earned invitations to the event, joining a larger contingent of fifteen LSU commits who will also be present.
Coach Jay Johnson, who has guided the Tigers through a strong recent season, is expected to see six to eight of his pledged recruits slip into the professional draft, a trend that reflects the growing pull of the MLB draft among college players.
Curiel is projected as a potential first‑round selection and is widely viewed as ready to turn professional immediately after the draft, while Sheerin, physically mature, is exploring a minor‑league pathway. Moore, despite the unusual step of attending the combine, has publicly committed to returning for the 2027 collegiate season, a decision that underscores his long‑term development plan.
Brown’s future remains uncertain after an injury‑plagued junior year that left him ranked No. 41 among draft prospects, a position that could shift as he works to regain full health before the evaluation period.
The Road Ahead for LSU’s Draft‑Bound Talent
Among the commits, top prospects such as Logan Schmidt and Jensen Hirschkorn are expected to benefit from the exposure, using the combine’s on‑field testing, workouts and interviews to boost their draft stock, while others like CJ Weinstein and Coleton Brady may use the experience as a stepping stone toward joining LSU’s campus.
The event will not only serve as a proving ground for those aiming for immediate professional contracts but also as a valuable learning opportunity for players who may need additional seasoning before entering the professional ranks.
As the combine approaches, the buzz surrounding LSU’s contingent reflects a broader narrative of college baseball players leveraging showcase events to transition from the collegiate arena to the professional draft, a pathway that blends athletic ambition with strategic career planning.