The opening day of the 2026 Major League Baseball draft delivered a surprise that had scouts buzzing across the country, as two former Commodores heard their names called in the early rounds.
Zion Rose, a standout outfielder from the University of Louisville, heard his name called sixth overall by the Kansas City Royals, a pick that underscored the Royals’ confidence in his bat and their desire to add a proven collegiate hitter to their system.
Rose’s collegiate résumé reads like a highlight reel: a .417 average in 20 games, 20 extra‑base hits, 47 RBIs, and a reputation as a clutch performer that earned him All‑ACC First Team honors and a consensus All‑American nod.
He also earned a spot on the USA Collegiate National Team in 2024, a testament to his international competitiveness, and his .295 average over the previous season showed a consistent offensive threat that made him one of the most sought‑after bats in the draft.
Sheerin’s Pitching Profile
Deven Sheerin, a right‑handed reliever who spent his junior year at Louisiana State, was selected 128th overall by the Philadelphia Phillies, a late‑round gamble that could pay dividends if his high‑leverage skill set translates to the professional game.
Sheerin’s fastball topped out at 96.5 mph, and he logged 58 strikeouts in 37 innings across 20 appearances for LSU, placing him eighth in strikeout percentage among SEC pitchers and earning him recognition as one of the top relief arms in the 2026 draft class.
His 12 strikeouts in just 12 innings over eight outings illustrate a high‑leverage role, and his 96.5 mph velocity gave the Phillies a glimpse of a potential late‑inning weapon who could anchor a bullpen in need of a spark.
Both players bring a blend of power, poise, and proven performance that could reshape their respective clubs’ rosters as the draft unfolds, making day one a promising start to what many expect to be an exciting talent influx.