10 Prospects the Orioles Could Target with the No. 7 Pick in the 2026 MLB Draft
The Baltimore Orioles will have one of the most intriguing selections in the 2026 MLB Draft when they go on the clock with the No. 7 overall pick. After missing the postseason in 2025, Baltimore landed the seventh selection in the draft lottery, giving executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias another opportunity to add an impact talent to one of baseball's strongest farm systems.
Elias has built the organization through the draft, selecting players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson (second round), Jackson Holliday, Samuel Basallo on the international market, and several other young contributors who now form the core of Baltimore's roster. While the Orioles have leaned heavily toward athletic position players during the Elias era, the organization's growing need for frontline pitching could influence this year's decision.
With the draft rapidly approaching, here are 10 names from MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Draft Prospects who could be under consideration if they're available at No. 7.
1. Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
If there is one player Orioles fans should hope slides to No. 7, it may be Jackson Flora.
The UC Santa Barbara ace has established himself as one of the premier college pitchers in the country. Flora attacks hitters with a mid-to-upper 90s fastball, a devastating slider, and advanced command that has allowed him to dominate quality competition.
Baltimore's farm system features plenty of position-player talent, but true top-of-the-rotation pitching remains more difficult to find. Flora could move quickly through the minor leagues and potentially reach Camden Yards within two seasons.
While Mike Elias has historically preferred hitters in the first round, Flora's combination of polish, strike-throwing ability, and upside may be too difficult to pass up if he unexpectedly falls. Flora is widely viewed as one of the top college arms in the class.
2. Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
Few hitters in college baseball have produced like Drew Burress.
The Georgia Tech star combines elite bat speed, tremendous plate discipline, and legitimate home-run power despite standing just 5-foot-9. Burress has consistently walked more than he has struck out while becoming one of college baseball's most dangerous offensive players.
For Baltimore, Burress would fit the organizational philosophy of drafting advanced hitters with strong on-base skills.
Even with Heston Kjerstad, Dylan Beavers, and several young outfielders in the organization, teams rarely pass on impact bats.
If the Orioles believe Burress can remain in center field, his value only increases.
3. Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep (Florida)
Jacob Lombard feels like a classic Mike Elias selection.
The Florida high school shortstop is an outstanding athlete with smooth defensive actions, above-average speed, developing power, and significant projection remaining.
Several recent mock drafts have connected Lombard to Baltimore because he fits the type of young, toolsy position player the Orioles have successfully developed over the past several years.
Although Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday currently occupy the Orioles' middle infield, organizations never stop adding premium athletes.
Lombard could eventually shift to third base or center field if needed while allowing Baltimore to develop another potential star.
4. Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Justin Lebron entered the season as one of the favorites to become the first overall pick before experiencing a slightly inconsistent junior campaign.
Despite that, scouts remain intrigued by his rare combination of power, speed, athleticism, and defensive ability at shortstop.
Several mock drafts continue projecting Lebron inside the top ten because impact shortstops are among the most valuable players in professional baseball.
If Lebron reaches the Orioles, Baltimore would have to seriously consider selecting the Alabama standout regardless of organizational depth.
The upside is simply too high.
5. Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
Chris Hacopian has steadily climbed draft boards thanks to his advanced offensive approach and ability to consistently barrel baseballs.
The infielder offers one of the safest offensive profiles in the draft class while displaying excellent strike-zone awareness and improving defensive versatility.
Baltimore has never been afraid to draft the best hitter available regardless of position.
Hacopian may not possess the highest ceiling in the class, but his advanced bat could allow him to move quickly through the Orioles' minor league system.
Several mock drafts now project him comfortably inside the first round, making him another realistic option if the board falls Baltimore's way.
Orioles' Draft Strategy
The biggest question entering draft night is whether Mike Elias changes course.
During his tenure, the Orioles have consistently prioritized hitters early while trusting the organization to develop pitching through later draft selections, trades, and international signings.
However, Baltimore's major league club has exposed one glaring weakness this season: a lack of frontline starting pitching depth.
If Jackson Flora or another elite college pitcher reaches the seventh pick, the Orioles may finally break from recent trends.
If not, expect Baltimore to continue selecting the best overall talent regardless of position, particularly if that player possesses advanced hitting ability and strong on-base skills.
With several elite prospects expected to come off the board before Baltimore selects, flexibility will be critical. The Orioles may ultimately find themselves choosing between the best remaining college arm and the best available prep position player—a decision that could shape the franchise for years to come.
If Mike Elias follows his usual philosophy, the Orioles will be evaluating both long-term ceiling and developmental speed. But with a young core already established in Baltimore, the club may also be more willing than in past years to take a high-upside arm or switch-hit impact bat rather than purely chasing the “best available hitter.”
Here are five more names from MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Draft Prospects who could realistically be in play at No. 7.
6. Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
Vahn Lackey is one of the most unique players in the 2026 class.
A catcher with legitimate middle-of-the-order offensive potential, Lackey combines physical strength, advanced bat speed, and improving defensive skills behind the plate. Some evaluators believe he could end up as the best pure hitter among college position players in the draft.
Lackey’s offensive profile is what makes him especially intriguing. He shows plus raw power, but more importantly, he has developed a disciplined approach that allows him to access that power without sacrificing contact. His ability to manage at-bats and control the strike zone is rare for a catcher of his age.
Defensively, he is still developing, but his arm strength and leadership qualities are well regarded. If Baltimore believes in his ability to stay behind the plate, Lackey immediately becomes one of the most valuable players in the class.
For the Orioles, this pick would signal a continuation of building around offensive versatility and catcher depth behind Adley Rutschman.
7. Eric Booth Jr., OF, Oak Grove (MS)
Eric Booth Jr. is one of the highest-upside athletes in the entire draft.
A dynamic outfielder with elite speed and improving power, Booth brings a rare combination of tools that teams cannot teach. His athleticism allows him to cover massive ground in center field, while his developing hit tool continues to trend upward.
Scouts are split on his offensive ceiling, but there is no debate about his physical ability. Booth can change a game on the bases and has the defensive range to stick in center field long term.
Baltimore has shown interest in high-upside outfielders in previous drafts, and Booth fits the mold of a player who could blossom into a star if his bat continues to develop.
At No. 7, he represents a classic “tools over polish” selection that could define the upside-versus-floor debate in the Orioles’ draft room.
8. Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU
Sawyer Strosnider is one of the more well-rounded college bats projected in the first round.
The TCU outfielder offers a balanced offensive profile with contact ability, gap power, and improving over-the-fence strength. Unlike some of the louder tools-based prospects in this range, Strosnider’s game is built on consistency and reliability.
He controls the strike zone well, rarely expands into pitches outside the zone, and shows a mature approach for a college hitter. Defensively, he projects as a solid corner outfielder with enough athleticism to handle center field in a pinch.
For Baltimore, Strosnider would represent a safer, higher-floor option compared to some of the more volatile prep bats. If the Orioles prioritize stability and a quicker path to the majors, this type of profile could be appealing.
9. Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep (Florida)
Jacob Lombard already appeared in Part 1, but his name continues to come up in discussions about Baltimore’s range at No. 7, especially given his placement near the top of most boards.
Lombard remains one of the best pure athletes in the high school class. He features smooth defensive actions at shortstop, plus speed, and a developing offensive profile that scouts believe could grow significantly as he matures physically.
While the Orioles already have Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday entrenched in the middle infield, organizations like Baltimore consistently emphasize positional versatility and long-term upside over immediate roster fit.
Lombard could eventually shift to third base or center field, where his athleticism would still play at a high level.
His ceiling is what makes him so intriguing—if everything clicks, he could become a franchise cornerstone type of player.
10. Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA (if he somehow slips)
If there is any scenario where chaos hits the top of the draft, it would involve Roch Cholowsky slipping outside the top five.
Cholowsky is widely regarded as one of the most complete players in the class. A polished college shortstop with advanced hit tools, strong defensive instincts, and legitimate power potential, he has been discussed as a potential No. 1 overall pick throughout the scouting cycle.
He combines production, makeup, and consistency in a way that makes him one of the safest picks in the draft.
For the Orioles to even have a chance at him, multiple teams would need to prioritize upside over polish. But if he reaches No. 7, Baltimore would likely have little hesitation in submitting the card.
Cholowsky would immediately become one of the most advanced hitters in the Orioles’ system and could move quickly through the minors.
How the Orioles Might Decide at No. 7
The challenge for Baltimore is not identifying talent—it’s deciding between very different types of talent.
This group of 10 prospects highlights the central tension in the Orioles’ draft philosophy:
College bats like Chris Hacopian, Sawyer Strosnider, and Vahn Lackey offer quicker paths and advanced hit tools
Prep stars like Jacob Lombard and Eric Booth Jr. provide long-term upside and projection
College arms like Jackson Flora (from Part 1) represent the rare chance to add frontline pitching
Mike Elias has typically leaned toward hitters, but the organization’s current roster construction may force a different conversation. With Baltimore’s rotation still stabilizing at the major league level, a pitcher like Flora could be difficult to pass up.
Final Outlook: What the Orioles Will Likely Do
If the draft were held today, the most realistic outcomes for Baltimore at No. 7 would likely fall into three buckets:
Best college bat available (Hacopian / Strosnider / Lackey)
High-upside prep position player (Lombard / Booth Jr.)
Elite college arm if he slides (Flora)
The Orioles are unlikely to overthink the pick. Their track record suggests they will trust their board, prioritize upside, and continue building a core that already includes Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Samuel Basallo, and Jackson Holliday.
At No. 7, Baltimore is not just drafting a player—they are adding the next potential cornerstone of a franchise built to compete for years to come.
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