MLB Draft: Notable past busts and projected 2026 first‑round SEC selections

A retrospective of the most significant busts in each of the 30 MLB teams' draft histories highlights players such as Arizona’s Corey Myers (1999, 4th overall), the Oakland Athletics’ Kyler Murray (2018, 9th overall), Atlanta’s Carter Stewart (2018, 8th overall), Baltimore’s Billy Rowell (2006, 9th overall), Boston’s Trey Ball (2013, 7th overall) and Chicago’s Ed Howard (2020, 16th overall). These selections failed to meet expectations at the major‑league level, often spending years in the minors or pursuing careers abroad.

Meanwhile, ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel released a mock of the 2026 MLB Draft’s first round, forecasting that 11 SEC players will be chosen. The projected picks start with Texas A&M’s Chris Hacopian at No. 8 (Athletics) and include Kentucky’s Tyler Bell (No. 9, Braves), LSU’s Derek Curiel (No. 11, Nationals), Alabama’s Justin Lebron (No. 12, Angels), Arkansas’s Ryder Helfrick (No. 13, Cardinals) and several others through pick No. 34, covering teams such as the Diamondbacks, Rangers, Astros, Red Sox, Mets and Pirates.