The second day of the 2026 MLB Draft proved to be a windfall for the Ole Miss baseball program, as five more of its standout players heard their names called, pushing the total number of Rebels drafted this year to eight.
Draft Highlights
Wil Libbert was taken by the Atlanta Braves in the fifth round, landing the 144th overall pick, while Landon Koenig slid to the New York Mets in the eighth round as the 240th selection. Landon Waters found a home with the Toronto Blue Jays in the 17th round, and Austin Fawley joined the Braves again in the 19th round, picked 562nd overall. The San Francisco Giants completed the sweep of Rebels talent by drafting JP Robertson in the 20th round, the 598th pick.
Each of these players brought a distinct résumé to the draft. Libbert logged 51 strikeouts over 48 innings in 2026, Koenig posted a 3‑1 record with 33 strikeouts in 22.2 innings, Waters contributed a 3.00 ERA and two saves in 24 innings, Fawley finished third on the team with a .489 slugging percentage and 13 home runs, and Robertson compiled a 5‑2 record, a 4.34 ERA and 49 strikeouts across 37.1 innings.
The concentration of talent reflects the steady hand of head coach Mike Bianco, who has cultivated a pipeline that consistently feeds major‑league clubs. With eight players now drafted, the Rebels’ recent draft history signals a program that not only competes at the SEC level but also prepares its athletes for the professional stage.