LSU MLB draft watch: who to follow today
The 2026 MLB draft is underway, and LSU fans should be ready to follow picks across multiple platforms. The first four rounds happen today; the event begins at noon. Early coverage includes NBC and Peacock for the opening picks, MLB Network for selections 11–40, and MLB.com streaming picks through 135. This primer focuses on which LSU prospects to watch, how recent mock drafts frame day one expectations and what early picks could mean for LSU’s roster.
What to know right now — MLB draft
Schedule and broadcast: rounds 1–4 take place today, with the draft starting at noon. The first handful of selections will appear on NBC and Peacock, MLB Network carries picks 11–40, and MLB.com streams selections through 135. Rounds 5–20 resume tomorrow with a 10:30 a.m. local start time.
Immediate LSU notes: two high school signees — Nathaneal Davis and Braxton Beaty — have pulled out of the draft and are set to attend LSU, preserving key pieces of the incoming class. Several other Tigers are firmly on draft boards, and the timing of their selections (or decisions to sign) will determine short-term roster construction for coach Jay Johnson.
LSU prospects to watch
Nathaneal Davis (OF) — Confirmed to be withdrawing from the draft and staying with LSU, Davis bolsters the incoming outfield options and is a notable early win for the program.
Braxton Beaty (LHP) — Also pulled out and committed to LSU, Beaty’s decision preserves a left-handed arm the staff was counting on for the rotation or bullpen depth.
Logan Schmidt (LHP) — A top left-hander in LSU’s class who appears on several draft boards. Per ESPN’s final mock, Schmidt is projected around the high-30s; if a team selects him early, his pro decision would reshape LSU’s lefty depth.
Dominic Santarelli (1B/OF) — A power bat with upside. ESPN’s mock pegs him near No. 41 in their final board, but scouts note his power profile could place him in contention for an earlier pick depending on team evaluations.
Derek Curiel (OF) — Frequently discussed among top prospects and connected to first-round conversations. A first-round selection would continue LSU’s recent string of high picks and affect outfield planning.
Jake Brown (OF) — Entered the season as a high-upside middle-of-the-order bat but suffered a season-ending injury. Brown remains on prospect lists and could draw mid-round interest depending on medicals and team evaluations.
Zac Cowan (RHP) — A right-hander who could be taken across the opening rounds; his departure would influence bullpen and long-relief forecasting for LSU.
Chris Stanfield (OF) — A position-player prospect whose draft decision will affect how LSU balances outfield minutes next season.
Gavin Guidry (RHP) — A late-day arm to monitor; a pro signing would remove a rotation depth option, while a return would keep LSU’s pitching pipeline intact.
Santiago Garcia (LHP) — A left-handed pitching option with upside; his selection status will factor into recruiting and rotation talks.
Connor Benge (RHP) — Another LSU arm teams may target across the early rounds; his pro choice matters for the Tigers’ pitching depth chart.
Mock notes and projections
Mocks provide context but not certainty. ESPN’s final mock places Logan Schmidt at No. 38 and Dominic Santarelli at No. 41, suggesting both are in the conversation for early supplemental or secondary-round picks. Those placements indicate real possibility of pro departures if teams meet slot expectations or offer strong signing incentives.
Kiley McDaniel has highlighted prospects who could fall out of top-75 discussions and opt for college — his reporting points to the reality that some high-upside arms face a genuine choice between signing and returning to school. That dynamic matters for LSU because a slide in draft interest can mean players bring their value back to the college game.
Derek Curiel has been discussed in national coverage as a top prospect and remains projection-based talk until a team officially selects him. Jake Brown’s season-ending injury complicates his draft timeline; teams will factor medical reports into mid-round decisions, which could push him to a signing-or-return choice depending on slot offers.
How picks could affect LSU roster
Two immediate roster effects are certain: Nathaneal Davis and Braxton Beaty are staying with LSU after withdrawing from the draft, which keeps key pieces of the incoming class intact. That reduces uncertainty around outfield and left-handed pitching depth heading into next season.
Beyond those confirmed returns, several players (including Schmidt, Santarelli and Curiel) represent true swing decisions. If any are taken in the opening rounds and sign, LSU would lose high-upside talent and likely prioritize transfers, incoming freshmen and internal position shifts to plug gaps.
Coach Jay Johnson’s track record is relevant context: under his tenure, LSU has produced 36 drafted players, including multiple first-rounders. That production helps recruiting and program prestige but does create recurring roster turnover that Johnson has managed by recruiting depth and developing players quickly.
What comes next
Today covers rounds 1–4. Rounds 5–20 begin tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. local time. For fans: stream picks through 135 on MLB.com and watch selections 11–40 on MLB Network. Keep an eye on team announcements and MLB.com for signing updates — slot offers and bonus discussions over the next 48–72 hours will determine whether drafted players report to pro clubs or return to LSU.
Expect the front office chatter to focus on signability and medical reports for players like Jake Brown, and monitor LSU social channels and Dandy Don’s coverage for immediate roster reaction and coach Jay Johnson’s comments.
Source attribution: This primer is based on reporting from Dandy Don’s LSU coverage and public mock-draft releases, including ESPN’s final mock and commentary from Kiley McDaniel. For the original reporting on LSU’s draft status and signees, see the Dandy Don post linked below.
Source: Dandy Don’s LSU coverage. Additional context from ESPN mock drafts and reporting by Kiley McDaniel.
