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Texas shortstop Grady Emerson enters the spring as the top-ranked high schooler in the 2026 draft class and the No. 2 overall prospect behind UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky. Emerson has a long track record of high-level performance, highlighted by becoming the first USA Baseball player to suit up for two 15U and two 18U national teams, most recently leading the 2025 18U club to gold as its leadoff hitter and third baseman. He flipped his commitment from TCU to Texas in late 2024 and now headlines one of the deepest prep classes in recent memory.

Scouts love Emerson’s polish at the plate. He’s a lefthanded hitter with a balanced, repeatable swing and a strong track record of walking more than he strikes out. He makes consistent contact, rarely chases and shows the ability to barrel pitches across the zone.

While his present power shows mostly to the pull side, evaluators project at least average in-game power as he continues to add strength. Defensively, Emerson is instinctive and reliable at shortstop with a plus arm, the actions to stay at the position and the athleticism to make highlight plays.

Emerson isn’t the flashiest prospect, but he’s one of the most well-rounded in the class—and he’s the latest in a Dallas-area shortstop lineage that includes Bobby Witt Jr., Jordan Lawlar and Jett Williams.

Baseball America subscribers can see the full scouting breakdown, which includes video and data, below.

All 293 Colleges That Produced An MLB Player In 2025

College baseball’s influence on the major leagues runs deeper than ever, stretching from powerhouse SEC programs to junior colleges and NAIA schools. In 2025, a total of 293 colleges had at least one alumnus reach the majors, underscoring the sport’s sprawling player-development footprint. The list spans every level, from Division I bluebloods to schools better known for small-town fields and tight budgets, each tied together by the shared claim of producing a big leaguer.

At the top of the pipeline are the usual heavyweights. Eleven programs finished with double-digit alumni active in MLB this season:

• Florida

• LSU

• Vanderbilt

• Virginia

• Mississippi State

• Texas A&M

• Stanford

• Indiana

• Texas Tech

• Louisville

You can see the full breakdown of alums below.

Editor’s Picks

Building Postseason Rosters: With the 2025 MLB playoffs underway, J.J. Cooper looks at roster compositions for all 12 postseason teams to see how they were built. Read more…

Aaron Judge’s Problem: The Yankees star is struggling to throw in right field since returning from a flexor strain, and his issues showed up in a critical moment on Tuesday. Read more…

Quick Hits

Prospect news and notes from around baseball…

• Chase DeLauter was elevated to the Guardians’ playoff roster. Cleveland’s season is on the line today, but DeLauter could join a rare group of players if he debuts.

• Reds prospect Sal Stewart notched his first playoff RBI in an unconventional method. Fellow Dodgers prospect Edgardo Henriquez walked him on a 102.8 mph fastball to bring in a run in the Reds’ 10-5 loss to the Dodgers.

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