A Historic Opportunity Awaits
At just 17, Kaiden McCarthy has already drawn national attention as one of the most promising pitchers in the 2026 MLB Draft class.
Hailing from Chester, Vermont, McCarthy is celebrated for a fastball that regularly hits the upper 90s, a trait that has propelled him to the No. 61 spot on MLB.com’s list and No. 52 on ESPN’s rankings by analyst Kiley McDaniel.
After a standout summer with the Vermont Lake Monsters, the right‑hander committed to the University of Tennessee and even reclassified to graduate early, a move that underscores his readiness for the professional stage.
His appearance in the second season of the docuseries The Prospect has further amplified his profile, placing him alongside other top prospects in a national spotlight.
If a team selects him within the first three rounds of the draft, scheduled for July 11 in Philadelphia, McCarthy would surpass the previous high water mark set by Kirk McCaskill, who was taken No. 88 by the Los Angeles Angels in 1982, and Owen Kellington, a No. 102 pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021.
Matt Fincher, head coach of the Vermont Lake Monsters, has praised McCarthy’s poise and work ethic, noting that the youngster’s blend of velocity and control is rare at any age.
The draft’s later rounds, running through July 12, will still offer opportunities, but the real intrigue lies in whether a first‑three‑round selection could cement McCarthy’s place in Vermont baseball lore.