A 17‑year‑old left‑hander from Vermont, Kaiden McCarthy, has emerged as one of the most talked‑about names heading into the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft. Baseball analysts currently place him at No. 78 on the overall prospect list, a ranking that reflects both his fastball velocity and command on the mound.
The draft itself will unfold over two days, beginning on July 11 with the first four rounds, and resuming on July 12 for rounds five through twenty. For McCarthy, a selection would mark a historic moment, as he would become the first player from the state to be chosen since Owen Kellington’s 2021 selection.
A legacy of Vermont talent
Owen Kellington, who was taken in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, still holds the record as the highest‑drafted Vermont high school product. He is now pitching for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the High‑A affiliate of the Pirates, and his ascent continues to inspire younger players across the state.
Mike Rochford, a South Burlington native, remains the only Vermonter to have reached the major leagues to date. After being drafted by the Boston Red Sox, he made eight appearances for the club and carved out a brief but memorable big‑league stint.
The article also revisits other Vermont alumni who have left a mark on the draft. Gary Parmenter, from Bennington, earned multiple selections and climbed to Triple‑A, while Matt Raleigh, a Swanton native, captured a World Series ring with the Florida Marlins in 2003 as a hitting instructor in the minors. Rayne Supple, hailing from Shelburne, was drafted by both the Chicago Cubs and the Colorado Rockies before reaching Single‑A in the Rockies’ system.
Looking ahead
Beyond individual stories, the Vermont Baseball Coaches Association notes that the state’s high schools have produced a steady stream of draft‑eligible talent over the past two decades. The organization’s archives list dozens of players who have been selected, underscoring a deep‑rooted baseball culture that stretches from the Green Mountains to the Pennsylvania border where Philadelphia’s scouting networks intersect. As the draft approaches, the excitement surrounding McCarthy and his peers reflects a broader narrative: Vermont’s baseball pipeline is not only alive but expanding, promising more big‑league debuts in the years to come.