The 2026 MLB Draft will open its first day on Saturday at 1 p.m., broadcast live on NBC and the MLB Network, with the final 16 rounds following on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on MLB.com. From the heart of the Southeast, the University of Georgia is poised to dominate the conversation, fielding 22 eligible players from its 2026 roster alongside six highly touted high‑school commits.
Standout Prospects
Among the Bulldogs, catcher Daniel Jackson stands out as a Golden Spikes Award winner and the No. 28 prospect on MLB.com’s top 250 list. Jackson’s 2025 season featured a .379 batting average, 100 hits, 32 home runs, 87 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases, while his 212 total bases and 88 runs scored led the NCAA. Right‑handed pitcher Joey Volchko, ranked No. 68, third baseman Tre Phelps at No. 121, outfielder Rylan Lujo at No. 189, and pitcher Dylan Vigue at No. 201 round out a deep group of talent.
The draft class also includes sophomores such as Rylan Lujo and Kenny Ishikawa, who remain eligible to return to Athens for their junior seasons. Meanwhile, shortstop Brock Rein and right‑hander Matthew Sharman represent the only amateurs who might elect to forgo their commitments and sign professionally immediately.
Draft Implications and Deadlines
If selected, players have until July 27 to negotiate contracts with the teams that draft them, a deadline that adds urgency to the weekend’s selections. Historically, Georgia’s draft success is notable; last season the program placed 10 players, just one shy of the school record of 11 set in 2009. This year’s cohort could easily match or surpass that mark, underscoring the Bulldogs’ continued impact on the professional game.
The broadcast schedule, featuring NBC’s opening coverage and MLB Network’s subsequent rounds, will showcase not only the names but also the stories of dozens of college and high‑school players whose dreams will materialize across the 32 major‑league teams. As the draft unfolds, the influence of the University of Georgia’s baseball program will be evident in the number of names called and the potential value each prospect brings to the professional ranks.