Jersey Shore Stars Eye 2026 MLB Draft in Philadelphia

The 2026 MLB Draft will take place in Philadelphia next weekend, and a handful of promising players from the Jersey Shore are set to hear their names called. Three local prospects—AJ Gracia, Reece Moroney and Zach Crocthfelt—are drawing attention from scouts and front‑office officials. Their performances at college programs and recent combine invitations have placed them in the spotlight as the draft approaches.

Top Jersey Shore Prospects in the 2026 Draft

AJ Gracia, a left‑handed outfielder from Ranney School, is projectioned for the first round by MLB.com. He batted .354 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs for Virginia this past season, and he previously set Duke’s freshman home‑run (14) and RBI (58) marks. His blend of power and hitting skill makes him a top‑tier pick.

Reece Moroney, an infielder from Rumson‑Fair Haven, earned an invite to the 2026 MLB Draft Combine held at Chase Field in Phoenix. He broke the University of Rhode Island’s single‑season hit record with 88 hits in May, finishing his junior year strong. The infielder’s speed and defensive versatility have caught the eye of scouts, especially the Diamondbacks who host the combine.

Zach Crocthfelt, a left‑handed pitcher from Jackson Memorial High, wrapped up his senior season at Troy University and earned a spot on the Sun Belt All‑Tournament Team. He also pitched for Texas Tech as a junior and spent his first two college years at Auburn, giving him varied experience across multiple conferences. Though he is not ranked as high as Moroney or Gracia, he remains a viable mid‑round candidate.

2025 Jersey Shore Alumni Making Their Mark

Last year’s draft saw Wall High School product Andrew Fischer go 20th overall to the Milwaukee Brewers, and Central Regional standout Cam Leiter land at 65th with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fischer currently plays with the Double‑A Biloxi Shuckers, posting 28 home runs, 64 RBIs and a .304 batting average. Leiter is polishing his swing in the Class A Ontario Tower Buzzers, where he’s recorded 16 hits and a .224 average. Their early success underscores the depth of talent emerging from the Shore.

How to Watch the 2026 MLB Draft

NBC and Peacock will carry the first 10 selections live, while rounds 11 through 40 will air on MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV and MLB+. The remainder of the draft, covering picks 41‑135, will stream exclusively on MLB.com, MLB.TV and MLB+. Fans can follow the action across these platforms regardless of their preferred device.

Date, Time, and Format

The 2026 MLB Draft kicks off on Saturday, July 11, with rounds one through four beginning at 1 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. Day two follows on Sunday, July 12, featuring rounds five through 20 and slated to start at 11:30 a.m. ET. Both days will be available for streaming on the MLB platforms, giving viewers ample opportunity to track each round’s developments.

The Jersey Shore’s pipeline of talent appears stronger than ever, with three standout prospects positioned to make a splash in this year’s draft. Whether they follow the footsteps of Fischer and Leiter or chart new territory, their stories will add to the rich baseball heritage of the region. As the draft unfolds in Philadelphia, local fans have plenty of reasons to stay tuned and celebrate the next generation of MLB stars.