Local baseball talent selected in 2026 MLB Draft

(WAND) - More than 600 players from high schools, prep academies, and colleges, were selected by MLB ball clubs over the weekend.

Players drafted can then negotiate terms of their contract should they decide to go pro. Very rarely do drafted players go straight to the MLB, but instead spend time developing in the minor league system.

A number of players with ties to central Illinois were selected in the 20 round process.

Right-handed pitcher Josh McDevitt from Effingham was taken in the 4th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's coming off his best season yet at the University of Missouri, where he was one of the SEC's best pitchers. McDevitt is the highest Tigers player selected since the 2019 draft. He led the team in strikeouts during the 2026 campaign, ending the season with 102.

Another pitcher from Shelbyville was taken in the 14th round by the San Diego Padres. Ty Brachbill has been playing college ball at High Point University, where he was named the Big South's Pitcher of the Year. Brachbill's junior season was highlighted with an 11-2 record with 15 starts, where he finished the season with a 3.59 ERA.

The University of Illinois had a left-handed pitcher taken in the draft's final round. Zach Bates was picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers, despite being injured for his junior season this past spring. As a sophomore in 2025, he was named an All-Big Ten third team selection, posting an ERA of 2.83 ERA in 23 relief appearances. Bates led all relivers in strikeouts, ringing up 34 batters.

In total 14 players from Illinois high schools and colleges were taken in the 2026 MLB Draft.