The 2026 MLB Draft Combine is set to open June 22 in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing together 334 of the nation’s most promising baseball prospects for a week of workouts, medical checks and scouting conversations.
Scouting the Next Generation
The event coincides with the upcoming MLB Draft scheduled for July 11‑13, a timeline that has teams sharpening their boards as they evaluate talent that could reshape the next wave of major‑league rosters.
Among the invitees are six current Georgia Tech players and a highly anticipated incoming freshman, each of whom has drawn attention for both performance and projected slot values. The Yellow Jackets’ presence underscores the Atlantic Coast Conference’s continued pipeline into the draft.
Vahn Lackey, who finished the season batting .397 and ranking second on the team in home runs and RBI, is not slated to take part in the on‑field drills but is widely expected to be selected among the first three picks. Analysts have placed his slot value at $9,740,100, reflecting the premium teams are willing to pay for his bat.
Drew Burress, son of a baseball legend, sits at No. 7 in the first‑round projections with a slot allotment of $7,329,200 after a sophomore campaign that saw him hit .358 with 91 hits, 60 RBI and 16 homers.
Jarren Advincula, a second‑round candidate at No. 42, brings a .434 average and 111 hits to the mix, while Carson Kerce, a record‑breaking doubles specialist, is slated for the fourth round with a $581,100 slot value.
Alex Hernandez, versatile and productive at a .343 average, finds himself in the fifth round with a $516,300 projection, and the remaining draft prospects — Tate McKee, Ryan Zuckerman and incoming freshman Isaiah Galason — will have their fortunes decided by how they perform and interact with scouts during the combine.
The convergence of athletic testing, medical evaluations and personal interviews creates a unique snapshot of each player’s readiness for the professional game, and the outcomes will ripple into the draft board later this summer.