Georgia Tech talents lead the way
Five players from Georgia were chosen in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday. This group included three college athletes and two high school players. Among the top selections were Georgia Tech products Vahn Lackey and Drew Burress, both of whom were picked within the top 10 overall.
The Minnesota Twins selected Lackey as the third overall pick. Lackey, a catcher, batted .397 with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs for the Yellow Jackets in 2026. He also earned the Johnny Bench Award, which recognizes college baseball’s top catcher. Lackey’s selection marks the highest draft position for a player from Collins Hill, surpassing Nasim Nuñez.
Lackey’s performance this spring contributed to his high draft position. He was not among the top 500 high school prospects ranked by Perfect Game in 2023. However, his junior season at Georgia Tech, where he increased his home run total from six to 20, drew significant attention. According to Twins scouting director Sean Johnson, scouts consistently identified Lackey as the best player on the field during their observations of Georgia Tech games.
Lackey is noted for his athleticism, with reports indicating he possesses 55 speed and strong agility. His arm strength is graded at 80, and he is considered an excellent hitter for contact. Lackey’s versatility was demonstrated in a game against West Georgia where he played every position except pitcher. Johnson also highlighted Lackey’s character, describing him as a “fantastic player, fantastic human being, great character.”
Burress, a center fielder, was chosen eighth overall by the Athletics. He previously led Houston County to state championships in 2021 and 2023. Burress also set a new career home run record for Georgia Tech, accumulating 60 home runs over the past three seasons. His selection makes him the highest-drafted player from Houston County.
High school standouts and UGA talent
The next player from Georgia to be selected was high school outfielder Trevor Condon from Etowah, who was picked 13th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals. Condon, who is committed to Tennessee, played center field and led off for an Etowah team that secured its second state championship in the last three years. He is the first player from Etowah to be selected in the first round.
Condon expressed his ambition, stating, “What I want is to be a Hall of Famer. Be one of the best of the best, and that’s plain and simple. I just want to get there, and I’ll do what it takes.”
Another high school player, right-handed pitcher Blake Bryant from Citizens Christian Academy, was drafted 31st overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bryant, a Clemson commit, had a 0.22 ERA with 141 strikeouts and 13 walks in 12 starts during his senior year. He is a 6-foot-5 pitcher.
Bryant shared his perspective on pitching, saying, “Being in control of the game is one of the greatest feelings. If you go out there and you strike out the side, and your defense is basically just standing there like flowers, don’t have to do nothing, then you know you’ve done your job, you’re out there.”
The final first-round pick from Georgia was UGA catcher Daniel Jackson, selected by the Colorado Rockies with the 37th overall pick. Jackson, who received the Golden Spikes Award for college baseball’s top player, batted .379 with 32 home runs and 87 RBI.
Twins’ strategy and future outlook
The Twins’ selection of Lackey marks their highest draft choice for a catcher since they drafted Joe Mauer with the first pick of the 2001 draft. The organization also drafted another catcher, Carson Tinney from the University of Texas, in the second round with the 43rd pick, and three pitchers on the draft’s first day.
Johnson noted that the Twins’ draft model identified Tinney for his high exit velocities and power. The team believes they can further develop his defensive skills. The Twins manager, Derek Shelton, is observing how quickly college players like Lackey can transition to the major league level, especially with current catcher Ryan Jeffers becoming a free agent after this season.
The Twins also used their 74th pick to select Brent Renfrow from Virginia Tech and their 79th pick for high school right-hander Ethan Wachsmann. Their 107th pick was Tommy LaPour from Texas Christian.
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Source: ajc.com
