Rays selected Fort Worth Christian High School (TX) SS Grady Emerson with the No. 2 selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Emerson started the year as the top prep bat in the class, and did nothing over his senior season to drop him from that spot. If anything, the 18-year-old has seen his stock rise while showing the potential to be a five-tool player. The best of these tools is a swing that is built to make hard contact to all parts of the field, and on top of a chance to hit for a high average, there’s 25-plus homer potential in his left-handed swing. He’s an above-average runner who should steal plenty of bags, and there’s nothing that suggests he won’t be able to play shortstop at the highest level. Emerson will need at least a little time in the minors before he can make an impact, but in terms of pure fantasy upside, no player in the class -- regardless -of level -- has a better chance of being a star.
