Jacksonville Fl- The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft once again proved that Northeast Florida remains one of the state’s top producers of baseball talent. While the first round featured some of the nation’s biggest prospects hearing their names called, several players with ties to Jacksonville and the surrounding area also realized their lifelong dreams of becoming professional baseball players.
The draft began with the Chicago White Sox selecting UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick after an outstanding collegiate career. The early rounds were loaded with elite high school and college stars, as organizations continued to prioritize athletic position players and power arms capable of developing into future Major League standouts.
For Northeast Florida baseball fans, however, the excitement centered on a talented group of local players whose hard work paid off over the two-day event. Several hometown stars are headed to the bright lights of the major leagues.
One of the area’s highest selections was Cole Dennis, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who starred at Yulee High School before finishing his prep career at Bishop Snyder High School. Dennis was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round with the 112th overall pick, giving one of baseball’s premier organizations another highly regarded young arm to develop. The Braves placed a strong emphasis on high-upside prep pitching throughout the draft, making Dennis one of the centerpieces of their class.
He batted .432 with 7 doubles, 12 home runs, 31 RBIs, and a massive 1.552 OPS, making him one of the top prep power hitters in Florida. Dennis had a college commitment to play for Jacksonville University (JU), but he rose dramatically on draft boards as one of the youngest and most explosive arms in the Florida high school ranks.
Another exciting selection was Bane Barker, the standout shortstop from Sandalwood High School, who was drafted by the San Diego Padres. Barker’s athleticism, defensive versatility, and offensive upside made him one of the area’s most intriguing prospects as he begins his professional career.
An imposing 6-foot-8, 235-pound baseball prospect, the elite right-handed pitcher and power-hitting first baseman is known for his towering frame and high-strikeout capability. The former Fletcher middle-school standout caught the attention of professional scouts after dominant performances during his senior varsity season.
Cody Boshell, a two-way standout from Bishop Snyder High School, also heard his name called when the Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the 11th round (No. 326 overall). Boshell excelled as both a pitcher and first baseman during his high school career, showcasing the versatility that attracted professional scouts.
A dynamic two-way player who dominates both as a left-handed pitcher and a power-hitting first baseman, though he was officially drafted by Arizona as a first baseman. Before being drafted, he was committed to play college baseball for the Tennessee Volunteers. Boshell was also named to our 2021-2022 Duval Sports Middle School Top 50 list, acknowledging the top middle school football players in Northeast Florida.
Several other Northeast Florida products were selected on Day 2 of the draft.
Former Sandalwood High School standout Dakota Stone, who continued his career at the University of North Florida, earned his opportunity in professional baseball with a Day 2 selection after developing into one of the Atlantic Sun Conference’s top pitchers. He started his collegiate career at Jacksonville University (2023–2024): Stone started eight games as a freshman in 2023, recording a career-high 10 strikeouts in a win against Dartmouth. His 2024 sophomore season was severely limited due to an injury.
Transferring to UCF (2025), he made four relief appearances for the Knights.Finally at North Florida (2026), as a redshirt junior, he earned First Team All-ASUN honors after posting a 7-3 record, a 2.85 ERA, and 102 strikeouts across 79.0 innings pitched.
Former Bartram Trail High School pitcher Ashton Pocol also celebrated a professional milestone after being selected on Day 2. Pocol’s steady development and ability to miss bats made him an attractive option for professional scouts looking to add pitching depth.
Ashton played recreational baseball and All Stars from 9U – 13U as a Julington Creek Baseball ( Jacksonville Fl) player before continuing his journey at Bartram Trail High School, the University of Tampa and Florida Gulf Coast University. During his senior season at FGCU, he earned All-ASUN Third Team honors and was named ASUN Pitcher of the Week, showcasing the hard work and determination that have defined his career.
Another notable name from the region was Kyle Boylston, the former St. Johns Country Day School standout who continued his collegiate career at Florida Atlantic University. Boylston’s selection further highlighted the tremendous baseball talent produced throughout Northeast Florida. Check out more on Boylston’s journey by clicking here.
In total, the 2026 MLB Draft showcased the remarkable depth of baseball across Jacksonville and the surrounding communities. From powerhouse programs like Bishop Snyder, Sandalwood, Bartram Trail, and St. Johns Country Day to the University of North Florida and Florida Atlantic University, local players continued to prove they can compete with the nation’s best.
For these athletes, draft day marks the beginning of a new journey. While reaching the Major Leagues remains the ultimate goal, hearing their names called is a reward for years of dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance. Northeast Florida has long been a baseball hotbed, and the success of the 2026 draft class is another reminder that the region’s pipeline of talent continues to thrive.
