The 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament will start to be in full swing starting May 29th- June 1 with Regional play, which will then follow to super regionals from June 5th to June 8th, to ultimately have eight of the remaining teams to play in the College World Series (CWS) in a double elimination bracket starting June 12 at Charles Schwab Field. Below is the field of 64 Division I baseball teams and the locations of the regionals.
This year’s tournament will feature exciting teams that will surely produce many surprises and showcase several elite MLB Draft prospects who could hear their names called early in July. Here are the top five players to watch out for this year’s College World Series as teams battle for a national title. As players look forward to this year’s tournament, performance in high-stakes situations will be key not only to boosting draft stock but also to taking one step forward in tournament and team play.
Top 5 Players in the College World Series:
1. Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA (Consensus No. 1 Overall Prospect)
UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky stands as the clear frontrunner for the 2026 MLB Draft’s top pick. In his junior-year campaign, he has posted strong numbers with a .321 Batting average, a .455 on-base percentage, and a .660 slugging percentage. Other key stats included 21 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 71 runs in around 56 games that he has played in.
Cholowsky combines plus power, elite defense at shortstop, and advanced plate discipline. Scouts can compare him to Troy Tulowitzki, Derek Jeter, and Fransico Lindor. He is the best power-hitting shortstop in this year’s draft class. As UCLA (the number one seed with a record of 51-6) pushes toward Omaha, his bat and glove will be on full display. A big CWS run could solidify him as a franchise-changing talent.
2. Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech Top 5 Overall Prospect)
Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey has emerged as one of the most complete players in college baseball. The athletic backstop offers plus defense behind the plate, arm strength, and surprising speed for the position. Offensively, he’s been a force with high batting averages, power, and on-base skills
Georgia Tech is a top seed and could be a favorite in the College World Series. His leadership can be felt on this team by being a two-way impact player who can help out in key situations when the team needs it most in the game that counts. Catchers with their offensive and defensive tools and production profile are premium and will be something to look out for in this year’s MLB draft.
3. Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Big right-hander Jackson Flora ranks among the top college arms. His size (6’5”), velocity, and pitch mix make him a potential first-rounder. He stands out as one of the top pitching prospects in college baseball. The hard-throwing right-hander features a fastball that reaches triple digits along with a devastating slider that generates plenty of strikeouts.
Flora combines elite velocity with impressive command and poise on the mound, making him a potential future ace at the professional level. His dominance as a starter at UC Santa Barbara has made him one of the most highly regarded arms in the country. UCSB may need strong outings from him to advance deep, and a lights-out regional/super regional performance could elevate his stock significantly.
4. Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Justin Lebron is another great all-around shortstop thanks to his combination of power, speed, and defensive ability. The Alabama star has become a true five-star prospect, excelling at the plate while also providing strong defense and baserunning. Lebron’s athleticism and offensive production have made him one of the SEC’s standout players and a likely high MLB Draft selection. Scouts view him as a potential franchise-caliber infielder with impact on both sides of the ball.
5. Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
Drew Burress is a great prospect in the outfield, along with being one of the top hitters in college baseball. The Georgia Tech outfielder is known for his elite bat speed, power, and advanced plate discipline, consistently producing high batting averages and home run totals. Despite not having prototypical size, Burress has become one of the sport’s most dangerous hitters and a record-setting player for Georgia Tech. His offensive consistency and strong baseball instincts make him one of the safest position-player prospects to look for in this year’s draft class.
Other Key Notes:
Pitchers and bats from teams like Florida, Arkansas, Florida State, and Mississippi State could have their chance to be rising stars in this year’s college baseball World Series. Watch for arms like those from Florida’s rotation or Arkansas’ high-end pitching that bring pure pitching dominance for teams to watch out for.
These teams will be must-watch during this tournament, with the dominance from UCLA, Georgia Tech, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, Auburn, and North Carolina. The SEC and ACC dominate talent, but mid-majors or surprises like UC Santa Barbara could produce breakout performances that can shock the world.
The CWS provides a premier stage for prospects to showcase their talents under pressure. Cholowsky and Lackey are expected to lead the way, while others will look to use the tournament to help boost their draft stock. MLB teams will be closely watching these college stars as they compete for championships before entering the professional ranks. Everyone can watch or stream the 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament on the networks of ESPN and ABC
