Southwest Florida’s Baseball Talent Floods 2026 MLB Draft
A look at the nine players with local ties drafted this year, highlighted by Evan Dempsey’s historic selection and the broader impact on Florida’s collegiate programs.
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A look at the nine players with local ties drafted this year, highlighted by Evan Dempsey’s historic selection and the broader impact on Florida’s collegiate programs.

The recent draft highlighted Iowa’s baseball pipeline, with prospects like Gable Mitchell and Kooper Schulte hearing their names called, while colleges and teams look ahead to next season.

Southern Miss sees multiple players drafted, including Joey Urban to the Blue Jays and McCarty English to the Rays, while star Davis Gillespie opts to return for his senior season.

Two Michigan State alumni, pitcher Nolan Higgins and outfielder Nick Williams, were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, continuing a streak of Spartans drafted in each of the past four years.
Jake McCoy, a right‑handed pitcher who transferred from South Carolina to Tennessee, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 2026 MLB Draft after a standout sophomore season cut short by elbow surgery.

Nolan Higgins, a standout pitcher from Wixom, Michigan, was chosen by the Toronto Blue Jays after a collegiate career that included key performances in the Big Ten Tournament and multiple academic honors.

Buster Olney examines how the World Baseball Classic has produced divergent outcomes for Toronto Blue Jays hitters, with some thriving while others, like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., have struggled.

U.S. soccer coach Mauricio Pochettino will throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Seattle Mariners game, highlighting his immersion in American culture as the team prepares to face Belgium at Lumen Field.

U.S. soccer coach Mauricio Pochettino will throw the ceremonial first pitch for the Seattle Mariners, showcasing his growing connection to American culture ahead of the team’s World Cup opener against Belgium.

From the Minnesota Twins to the Forest City Owls, Catamounts are leaving their mark on summer and professional baseball circuits.

Fantasy baseball managers can boost their rosters with emerging hitters and pitching standouts highlighted in this week's waiver wire guide.

Kazuma Okamoto's 19th home run fuels Toronto's narrow loss while his All-Star vote surges, highlighting a dynamic week for Japanese players across the American League.

Ernie Clement, a former University of Virginia standout, has been voted as an American League All-Star starter for the 2026 season, earning more than 3.2 million votes and finishing just 108,000 votes behind Shohei Ohtani.

Ernie Clement, a former University of Virginia standout, has been selected as an MLB All-Star following a breakout 2025 postseason and a scorching start to the 2026 campaign, driven by community support and impressive statistics.

Despite a College World Series disappointment, former UNC standouts are making their marks — and facing challenges — across Major League Baseball.
Over the past quarter‑century, Southwest Florida’s high schools have produced a steady stream of baseball talent, from early stars like Blaze Alexander to recent draftees such as Carson Palmquist. Their high school feats, college careers and professional breakthroughs illustrate a pipeline that continues to feed Major League Baseball, while also reinforcing the region’s reputation as a fertile ground for future stars.

A legal yet unprecedented move by third‑base coach Chad Epperson helped the Boston Red Sox secure an 8‑1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, briefly lifting their home record to 10‑20 despite a season mired near the bottom of the American League.

On May 29, Hillsborough County edged out Pinellas County All-Stars 10-3 in a senior baseball game hosted by the Toronto Blue Jays, featuring standout performances by Christian Skaggs, Mikie Locke and Emilio Salgado.

The death of 21‑year‑old Ian Hutchison, a University of Maryland club ice hockey goalie, has left teammates, friends and fans mourning a kind‑hearted athlete whose love for the game was matched by his passion for Disney, the Muppets and professional baseball and hockey teams.

The Ohio Valley Conference celebrates unprecedented winning streaks, a 300‑win milestone for a coach, and a new multi‑year agreement with ESPN that promises wider coverage of its teams.

Major League Baseball owners have introduced a contentious salary cap plan that would limit team spending in 2027, trigger a payroll floor, and overhaul revenue distribution, setting the stage for a potential lockout and a battle over the sport's competitive balance.
An in-depth look at the 25 standout high school players from Indiana over the past quarter-century, tracing their paths from high school stardom to NFL contracts, coaching roles, and the challenges that shaped their legacies.

The push to reinstate Division I baseball at the University of Colorado blends celebrity appeal, seasoned administration, and a scenic campus environment to craft a compelling revival effort.
Mike Woods, who built Hamilton’s baseball program from its inception in 1999 into a ten‑time state champion, announced his retirement this week, closing a chapter that reshaped the sport in the region.