A Draft‑Day Disappointment Turns into a College Commitment
Coleton Brady, a right‑handed pitcher who signed with LSU out of TNXL Academy, revealed on social media that he will not enter the 2026 MLB Draft. The decision came after the pitcher was not selected among the first four rounds, a placement that left him outside the immediate attention of major‑league scouts.
Ranked No. 178 by MLB.com and No. 71 by The Athletic, Brady was considered a promising prospect despite his youth. He does not turn 18 until later this fall, and his fastball regularly sits in the low 90s, complemented by a sharp slider and a reliable changeup.
At 6‑foot‑5 and 215 pounds, the youngster projects as a future starting pitcher, a physical package that attracted attention from multiple professional evaluators. His size and arm strength were viewed as a rare combination for a player of his age.
LSU’s draft class included three additional signees — Jensen Hirschkorn, Logan Schmidt and Wessley Roberson — who were all selected within the draft’s early stages. The collective success of the group made Brady’s omission all the more noticeable to local observers.
A scout who had been following Brady’s spring performance expressed disappointment, noting that the pitcher “did not help himself” during the recent showcase circuit. The comment underscores the fine line between potential and performance that many high‑school prospects navigate.
Rather than chasing a professional contract immediately, Brady will remain at LSU, where he hopes to refine his repertoire and gain additional experience on the mound. The move reflects a growing trend among top college prospects who elect to develop their skills further before committing to the rigors of minor‑league baseball.