2026 MLB Draft: Upper Midwest Preview

Colin Driffill RHP / OF / Millard North, NE / 2026

Driffill has experienced an up-and-down spring, flashing premium velocity and performance at times while also showing outings where his stuff backed up, likely due to a heavier workload. His draft outlook may depend on when clubs evaluated him, but the underlying data is strong enough that some organizations could push him higher on their boards based on how well his profile fits their pitching model.

+ Kansas State commit
+ Prep Baseball Nebraska's Player of the Year. 

Connor Finn LHP / OF / Mahtomedi Senior High, MN / 2026

 
Finn firmly placed himself on scouts' radar with his performance at the 2026 Prep Baseball Super 60. The long, athletic left-hander possesses above-average velocity and plenty of raw athleticism on the mound. While there is still some mechanical refinement and pitch development ahead, the combination of his athleticism, projection, and left-handed profile will be difficult for clubs to overlook.

+ Texas Tech commit
+ Prep Baseball Minnesota's Player of the Year

Kaleb LaFavor RHP / 1B / Sioux City Heelan, IA / 2026

LaFavor had a meteoric rise early in summer posting big velocity out of the gate. The Sioux City Heelan grad’s velocity dipped in the summer as his pitch count began to build. The frame is extremely projectable; yet currently lacks physical maturity and strength. If drafted; I believe it will be a team with a track record of slow easy progression into their system to give LaFavor time to continue to build physically.

+ Iowa commit

Ryan Stedman RHP / 1B / West Des Moines Valley, IA / 2026

Stedman has put together an impressive summer, drawing a strong contingent of MLB scouts throughout the process. He has added noticeable strength since his senior season, resulting in a velocity jump and the ability to maintain his stuff deeper into outings. Currently, he profiles as a two-pitch arm with a quality fastball and changeup. Ultimately, his draft value may come down to whether clubs view him as a future starter or an impact reliever.

+ Iowa commit