Angels selected Huntington Beach HS (CA) OF Jared Grindlinger with the No. 12 selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Grindlinger reclassified from the 2027 draft to join this year’s class, and immediately became the top two-way prospect eligible. There’s added intrigue in his profile as a player who doesn’t turn 18 until next April, so it’s very unlikely we’ve seen anything close to the best of the 6-foot-3 southpaw as of yet. As a hitter, he shows a swing from the left side that suggests he could have a plus hit tool, and while there’s not much power present, there’s enough bat speed to project average -- perhaps better -- pop in the coming years. He’s more advanced as a pitcher who touches the mid 90s with his heater with plenty of projection left, and he also shows a quality change and above-average slider at times, too. Whether he focuses on one side or does both, Grindlinger is certainly a fantasy prospect that is worth keeping an eye on, even acknowledging that it could be half a decade before he reaches the majors.
