2026 MLB Draft: Indiana Leads With Seven Picks

Indiana made a strong statement at the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, landing seven players with ties to the Hoosier state—five from local colleges and two from Indiana high schools. The haul underscores the growing depth of Midwest baseball and signals that recruiters are taking notice of Indiana’s talent pipeline. This influx of MLB talent also highlights the impact of state programs and high‑school development programs in the region.

College Standouts Shine

First‑round selections Carter Beck of Indiana State and Jack Radel of Notre Dame headline the college group. Beck, the Braves’ 26th overall pick, boasts a .346 batting average and earned first‑team all‑conference honors at the Missouri Valley level. Radel, taken 28th overall by the Astros, posted an 8‑3 record with a 3.47 ERA and 116 strikeouts in just 87 2/3 innings.

Notre Dame’s right‑handed catcher Mark Quatrani continued the Fighting Irish’s presence with a solid .376 average, 15 home runs and 66 RBI, earning the Padres a 545th‑overall pick in the 18th round. Jackson Bergman, a left‑handed pitcher from Indiana, was selected 525th overall but faced a season‑ending elbow injury, a setback many prospects overcome with proper rehabilitation. Max Hansmann of the University of Evansville added another power‑pitching arm, going 226th overall to the Nationals with a 3.99 ERA and 83 strikeouts.

High School Talent Emerges

The top high‑school prospects include Dylan Bowen of Hanover Central, who signed as a shortstop with the Reds in round 5 (54th overall), and Hudson DeVaughan of Mooresville, taken 569th overall in the 19th round by the Royals. Both players have drawn comparisons to elite high‑school arms and could fill immediate roles in professional minor‑league systems.

Bowen’s selection is especially noteworthy as he is the younger brother of Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen, highlighting a family legacy that bridges football and baseball. DeVaughan has been a dominant high‑school pitcher, consistently stacking strike‑out numbers, and is projected to contribute early in affiliated ball.

What This Means for Indiana Baseball

The seven Indiana‑linked picks represent one of the deeper state returns in recent draft history, reflecting years of investment in youth development and college recruiting across the state. Fans and local programs can point to this draft class as proof that Indiana’s baseball pipeline is producing MLB‑ready talent at both the collegiate and high‑school levels.

Going forward, the success of these players will likely encourage more prospects to stay in state for college or advanced high‑school play, creating a positive feedback loop. Coaches at Indiana State, Notre Dame, Evansville and Indiana can also use the exposure to attract higher‑profile recruits, potentially raising the overall competitiveness of the state’s college baseball programs. The draft class serves as a benchmark for future scouting and underscores Indiana’s emerging status as a top producer of major‑league talent.