MLB Draft experts are rolling out their final mocks of the summer as we’re just two days away from the Chicago White Sox being on the clock with the first overall pick.
The Boston Red Sox will have the 20th pick, and they’ve been connected to numerous intriguing prospects. Left-handers Hunter Dietz (Arkansas), Cole Carlon (Arizona State), and Brody Bumila (Bishop Feehan High School) have been the players most often linked to Boston, though hitters like Bo Lowrance (Christ Church Episcopal) and Daniel Jackson (Georgia) have also been named as potential targets.
Who else could land with the Red Sox at No. 20 overall? Here’s our final mock draft roundup of 2026:
Mayo: “The Red Sox could stay in their own backyard and take Bumila, the big high school lefty. They could also consider a high school hitter like Bo Lowrance, but this time around we’ll give them a college arm, with Dietz getting the nod over someone like Carlon.”
White: “Dietz is a worthwhile upside play for Boston. The college track record is light after injuries limited him at Arkansas, but his fall look put him back into first-round consideration. The fastball has reached 99 mph with carry from the left side, and his size creates a tough angle when he is working at the top of the zone. Dietz also has enough feel for a cutter and breaking ball to project beyond a pure velocity profile. There is obvious risk here, but college lefties with this kind of arm talent rarely last long once teams feel comfortable with their health.”
Law: “Boston has been linked to a bunch of guys, including Rabe, Zion Rose and Bo Lowrance, three players from entirely different demographics.”
Collazo: “It seems like the Red Sox have been linked to just about every college pitcher on the board in this range, and Taylor Rabe is the most recent name I’ve heard connected to them. Like Mason Edwards, he’s getting some late helium and could easily wind up going in the teens. On the high school side, Bo Lowrance and Jared Grindlinger are frequently mentioned names. “
Henninger, Albee, Cohen: “Reese will be in play for any team considering college bats from around pick ten to here. The Mississippi State third baseman does come with some risk, but there is significant left-handed power and some feel to hit. The value would be strong here for the Red Sox.”
Lacques: “Jackson’s provided his own helium with a 32-homer, 26-steal season that ended in the men’s College World Series finals and he simply looks better the longer you regard him.”
Williams: “In all honesty, the concerns about Bo Lowrance make him a fascinating match with the Boston Red Sox. He’s a guy who’s likely to move to third base at the pro level because of average athleticism and potentially a move to first base in the long-term future. While he does need to work to lift the ball more to tap into his power, he attacks all fields at the plate quite well for his age. Outside of the power concerns, that sounds a lot like Rafael Devers in some ways, hence the fascination. That being said, the hit tools for an 18-year-old are hard to ignore, and could play into the future of the Red Sox offense one way or another.”
Phillips: “Rose may not last this long, but if he does, the Red Sox should be happy to take him off the board. Local prep lefty Brody Bumila could be in the mix.”
Longenhagen: “The Red Sox used high picks on nasty pitchers with relief risk last year, and there are several still around at this pick, including ASU lefty Cole Carlon, but Flukey’s strike-throwing track record with his fastball is much better, which is something last year’s Sox picks have struggled with. This is also a spot mentioned for an under-slot deal with a college bat. NC State and TCU center fielders Ty Head and Chase Brunson are Boston’s type.”
