Eric Booth Jr. Chosen 7th Overall by Orioles

Orioles’ First‑Round Choice

The Baltimore Orioles selected Oak Grove outfielder Eric Booth Jr. with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft on July 11. Booth now faces a pivotal decision between signing with Baltimore or honoring a commitment to play for Vanderbilt baseball under coach Tim Corbin.

Entering the draft, MLB.com rated the 6‑foot‑2, 207‑pound prospect as the No. 6 overall talent. The slot value associated with his pick is $7,327,200, underscoring the Orioles’ investment in his potential.

Booth’s High‑School Dominance

During his final prep season, Booth batted .481 with a .922 slugging percentage, delivering 31 RBIs, five home runs and 23 stolen bases. He earned recognition as a 2026 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen honoree, the MHSAA 7A Mr. Baseball winner and a member of the Large Class All‑State team.

Booth also triumphed in the home‑run derby at the July 2025 Perfect Game All‑American Classic, showcasing his raw power and poise under pressure.

Mississippi’s Draft Heritage

Booth’s selection marks the third consecutive year a top‑10 pick hails from Mississippi. Jackson Prep’s Konnor Griffin (No. 9, Pittsburgh Pirates) followed by Purvis’s JoJo Parker (No. 8, Toronto Blue Jays) have kept the state in the national spotlight.

According to MLB.com, Booth stands as the highest‑rated high‑school prospect from Mississippi and ranks third best nationally, a testament to the development of talent in the Deep South.

Future Outlook for Booth

Scouts praise Booth’s speed and bat quickness, labeling him one of the fastest runners in this year’s draft class. However, they note areas for growth, particularly arm strength and reading fly balls in the outfield.

The 18‑year‑old’s next moves will shape his professional trajectory. Whether he signs with Baltimore or enrolls at Vanderbilt will determine how quickly he refines those defensive attributes and transitions to underage competition.

Key figures
– Draft position: 7th overall
– Slot value: $7,327,200
– High‑school average: .481 batting, .922 SLG
– Awards: Dandy Dozen, Mr. Baseball, All‑State, Home‑run Derby champion