1. Drew Burress, OF -- Georgia Tech
HOMETOWN: Perry, Georgia

 

HEIGHT: 5-9

WEIGHT: 184

BAT/THROW: R-R

 

 

Big time favorite of Georgia area guys due to an advanced feel for hitting, as well as finding the barrel, Burress is one of the more beloved recruits in Georgia Tech history. Explosive hips and big bat speed help Burress generate power well beyond what you might expect from a smaller frame. Athletic, runs well and has plenty of arm for center field. Swing can get uppercut heavy when he really tries to lift the ball, but he's hit at every stop.

Burress has some drift in his swing and inconsistencies in terms of direction depending on where the pitch is. He'll step in the bucket at times despite loading from an open stance. It's an oddity in terms of conventionalism at the plate, but Burress has been the most impactful player in the 2026 class and it isn't terribly close. The raw power is legit and so are the tools. Until the quirks in his swing prove to be an issue, there's little reason to question his operation. 

It'll just come down to how he performs over the course of the next three years and how scouts buy into the operation. It's without question, comfortably, first round talent.

 

https://futurestarsseries.com/2026-mlb-draft-top-100-college-prospects/

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by caulfield12

WHY IS IT IN ALL CAPS

5 hours ago, DirtySox said:

WHY IS IT IN ALL CAPS

To add to the excitement lol...since everytime one looks up at 2025 it's simply maddening to draft tenth.

 

www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/PBR/rintaro-sasaki--the-mlbdl-experience-and-data-dive&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjTspajzMaLAxU7avUHHeATIsYQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw1rY2aJD3tkr9JHfk1QGqDt

"He is fitting in beautifully so far and handling all that comes with being a busy student-athlete.

Every couple of weeks, senior catcher Charlie Saum counts on hearing from Sasaki with an invite to In-N-Out Burger, the freshman having learned long ago the hip items to order — a double-double burger and animal-style fries, of course.

Now, the 6-foot, 275-pound slugging first baseman is set to make his Stanford debut Friday at Cal State Fullerton and play his first home game one week later against Washington."

https://apnews.com/article/stanford-rintaro-sasaki-japanese-prospect-cb8716b5bfa9dfa86c3497d2179aa8a5&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjTspajzMaLAxU7avUHHeATIsYQFnoECAoQAg&usg=AOvVaw0Ee1OP8YEUEFepUEsGcstd

Edited February 15, 20251 yr by caulfield12

So what round do the Sox pick Landon Thome?

1 hour ago, fathom said:

So what round do the Sox pick Landon Thome?

Is he actually good? Or is this a Juan Uribe Jr. situation?

1 hour ago, fathom said:

So what round do the Sox pick Landon Thome?

Can we put some dibs in on Frank's kid too?

17 minutes ago, ChiSoxFanMike said:

Is he actually good? Or is this a Juan Uribe Jr. situation?

Yes, he’s a Tennessee commit already

44 minutes ago, fathom said:

Yes, he’s a Tennessee commit already

Good bloodlines too. I’d draft him.

The two highly coveted players in this draft class are prep shortstops, Jacob Lombard and Grady Emerson. Baseball America did a podcast about them. 
 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-america/id201539011?i=1000674421112

Edited February 27, 20251 yr by Boopa1219

On 2/27/2025 at 1:55 PM, Boopa1219 said:

The two highly coveted players in this draft class are prep shortstops, Jacob Lombard and Grady Emerson. Baseball America did a podcast about them. 
 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-america/id201539011?i=1000674421112

Grady related to Colt Emerson?

🤔😲

4 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

Grady related to Colt Emerson?

Nope.

5 hours ago, Timmy U said:

Nope.

But Jacob Lombard is related to George Lombard and George Lombard Jr.  

On 3/1/2025 at 10:55 AM, Boopa1219 said:

But Jacob Lombard is related to George Lombard and George Lombard Jr.  

Will probably put it out there that he's only signing with the Dodgers lol.

BA has updated their top College Prospects for the 2026 draft today.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2026-top-college-draft-prospects/

100 players long. Will share the top 15.

Quote

1.) Justin Lebron - SS

2.) Caden Bogenpohl - OF

3.) Liam Peterson - RHP

4.) AJ Gracia - OF

5.) Drew Burress - OF

6.) Jason DeCaro - RHP

7.) Chris Hacopian - SS

8.) Gabe Gaeckle - RHP

9.) Roch Cholowsky - SS

10.) Joey Volchko - RHP

11.) Eric Becker -  SS

12.) Jackson Flora - RHP

13.) Maddox Molony - SS

14.) Caden Sorrell - OF

15.) Gavin Grahovac - 3B

 

Edited March 4, 20251 yr by DirtySox

9 hours ago, DirtySox said:

BA has updated their top College Prospects for the 2026 draft today.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2026-top-college-draft-prospects/

100 players long. Will share the top 15.

 

#2 is not exactly a marketer's dream of a name...

 

56 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

 

How tall is Lebron?

 

Player: Justin Lebron
School: Alabama						Position(s): SS
Height: 6’2″			Weight: 175 lbs.			Bats: Right			Throws: Right
Summary: A bit of a hidden gem, Lebron made an impact the moment he set foot in Tuscaloosa. He earned the starting shortstop role in Fall ball and was a key member of the lineup all year. Hitting .338 with a good approach and ability to recognize offspeed well, he looked every bit the part of an SEC star. On top of the quality bat to ball skills, he launched a dozen home runs despite his lean frame and earned himself a call up to the US Collegiate National Team over the summer. He has quality actions and plenty of range up the middle to go with a plus arm.

Edited March 15, 20251 yr by caulfield12

https://threequarterslot.com/2025/01/23/2026-mlb-draft-justin-lebron-ss-alabama/

Can't believe Lebron is 6`2" and has that much pop for such a thin frame.

Reminiscent of Alexei Ramirez in 2008 physique-wise.

On 3/4/2025 at 8:42 PM, caulfield12 said:

#2 is not exactly a marketer's dream of a name...

It is if you PA announcer is Jerry Lewis.