Gerrit Cole's 2011 Draft Precedent: MLB's 2026 Draft Broadcast Details Revealed
The 2026 MLB Draft kicks off on July 11, with the Chicago White Sox holding the coveted No. 1 pick. Gerrit Cole, the UCLA Bruin taken No. 1 in 2011, serves as a precedent for this year's top prospects, including Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, and Vahn Lackey.
The MLB Draft is a transformational force in the sport, with the top pick often shaping a team's future. Think Ken Griffey Jr. to the Seattle Mariners in 1987 or the Washington Nationals landing Stephen Strasburg in 2009. This year's draft takes on extra weight as the league proposes a total overhaul of its current process.
The broadcast setup for the 2026 MLB Draft is quite confusing, with rounds split across several TV channels and streaming options. Here's a breakdown of how to watch:
* Day 1 (Rounds 1-4): Saturday, July 11
+ 1 p.m.: picks 1-10 on NBC and Peacock
+ 2:30 p.m.: picks 11-40 on MLB Network, Peacock, MLB.com, MLB.TV, and MLB+
+ 4:30 p.m.: picks 41-135 on MLB.com, MLB.TV, and MLB+
* Day 2 (Rounds 5-20): Sunday, July 12
+ 11:30 a.m. on MLB.com, MLB.TV, and MLB+
Roch Cholowsky, a right-handed shortstop from UCLA, is MLB Pipeline's No. 2 prospect and No. 1 on The Athletic's big board. He could be the first Bruin taken No. 1 since Gerrit Cole in 2011. Cholowsky hit .329 with 52 home runs through 178 games at the college level.
Grady Emerson, a shortstop from high school in North Richland Hills, Texas, sits atop the MLB Pipeline rankings (and fourth on The Athletic's) after being named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. He's mentored by Rusty Greer, a nine-year pro with the Rangers.
Vahn Lackey, a slugging backstop from Georgia Tech, is third on the Pipeline's board and second on The Athletic's after batting .397 and mashing 20 homers in 61 games last season. The Yellow Jackets have been a fruitful program for catchers, with alumni like Jason Varitek and Matt Wieters.
The 2026 MLB Draft is set to shape the future of the sport, with top prospects like Cholowsky, Emerson, and Lackey vying for the top spot. With the league proposing a total overhaul of its current process, this year's draft takes on extra weight. Tune in to NBC, Peacock, MLB Network, and more to catch all the action.