Walsh Jesuit High School in Cleveland is on the cusp of a historic draft season, with as many as five of its recent graduates expected to hear their names called at the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.
Scouting the standout prospects
The group includes right‑handed pitcher Ryan Piech, who finished his junior year at Xavier University with a 3.18 ERA and 98 strikeouts, and senior shortstop Shawn Sullivan, who posted a 0.90 ERA and 89 strikeouts while still in high school. Both are slated to be taken in the early rounds, with Piech projected to the Cleveland Guardians in the sixth round and Sullivan expected to go to the Minnesota Twins in the seventh.
Matt Mansbery is drawing attention from the Baltimore Orioles in the 11th round after batting .402 and scoring 30 runs during his senior season. Mason Eckelman, who earned an invitation to the MLB Draft Combine, posted a .304 average with 47 RBIs for Ohio State, while fellow collegian Henry Kaczmar matched that production with a .316 average and 47 RBIs in his senior year at the same university.
A legacy of development
Walsh Jesuit manager Joe Bowers praises the skills and work ethic of the five prospects, noting that the school has already placed 12 former stars in the minor leagues and beyond.
If the draft unfolds as anticipated, the school could set a new record for the most players selected in a single draft year, underscoring the growing pipeline from the Jesuit‑run institution to professional baseball.