Jacksonville-Area Prospects Chosen in 2026 MLB Draft

Top Jacksonville Picks Shine

Four local players from the Jacksonville region entered the 2026 MLB Draft over two days, joining a strong cadre of area talent. Senior Cody Boshell from Bishop Snyder High School slid to the 11th round (326th overall) and was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Fellow Sandalwood senior Bane Barker followed in the 12th round (355th) with a pick from the Miami Marlins.

Left‑handed pitcher Dakota Stone, now playing for the University of North Florida, was taken in the 20th round (588th) by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Reliever Ashton Pocol from Florida Gulf Coast earned a 16th‑round selection (487th) from the Chicago Cubs.

Player Spotlight

Cody Boshell (Arizona Diamondbacks, 11th round, 326th overall) produced a .284 batting average with five doubles, three home runs, 16 RBI and a .920 OPS at Bishop Snyder. On the mound he posted a 4‑2 record, 2.53 ERA and 67 strikeouts. Boshell hit 16 homers over four years and now faces a decision to sign with Arizona or attend Tennessee.

Bane Barker (Miami Marlins, 12th round, 355th overall) recorded a 1.40 ERA, 108 strikeouts in 60 innings and a .883 WHIP for Sandalwood as a right‑handed pitcher. He batted .342 with six home runs, 20 RBI and a 1.067 OPS, and committed to Gulf Coast State College. The 6‑8, 235‑pound prospect is the Marlins’ latest addition.

Ashton Pocol (Chicago Cubs, 16th round, 487th overall) contributed 50 strikeouts, a 3‑4 record, 3.24 ERA and six saves for Florida Gulf Coast, earning third‑team All‑ASUN honors. He held opponents to a .204 average across two seasons and finished his college career with a solid relief reputation.

Dakota Stone (Pittsburgh Pirates, 20th round, 588th overall) anchored the UNF staff with a 7‑3 mark, 2.85 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 102 strikeouts as a redshirt junior left‑hander. Stone’s season earned first‑team All‑ASUN recognition and signaled his readiness for professional baseball.

Regional Impact

Including Saturday’s selections of Cole Dennis (fourth round) and Glynn Academy outfielder Wessley Roberson, the Jacksonville area produced six players drafted in 2026. This haul reinforces the region’s reputation as a breeding ground for MLB talent.

Notable prospects who went undrafted, such as Trinity Christian’s Brady Harris and St. Johns Country Day’s Brayden Harris, remain in college baseball—Brady committed to Florida, while Brayden signed with Florida State.

Looking Ahead

Each of the newly drafted players will now weigh a swift professional contract against the opportunity to develop further at the collegiate level. Their performance at the minor league level could shape the future of teams like the Diamondbacks, Marlins, Cubs, and Pirates. Fans in the Jacksonville community view this influx of talent as a hopeful sign for the local baseball pipeline.