Eliav Gabay
As we all reflect on the Diamondbacks’ 2026 draft, Director of Amateur Scouting Ian Rebhan broke down the selections candidly.
A clear focus on high baseball IQ, versatility, velocity, and guys who play beyond their years in the first five picks.
PICK 15 – C, Ryder Helfrick (University of Arkansas) – Highest drafted catcher in Razorback history & one of the only college catchers to call his own games.
PICK 31 (CB Round A) – RHP, Blake Bryant (Citizens Christian Academy) – This 6-6. 182 pound beast just 18 years old. His fast ball sits at 91-94 mph & tops out at 97 mph, per mlb.com. His arsenal also includes “two breaking balls and a fading changeup.”
PICK 53 – INF, Carson Kerce (Georgia Tech) – One of the top infielders in the ACC, mostly at third base, “Slashed .313/.411/.475 over 198 at-bats including 20 doubles,” which helped GT lead the nation in doubles, per ramblinwreck.com.
PICK 88 – OF, Brayden Dowd (Florida State) – Third team All-ACC and All-ACC Academic Team. He’s clutch. Had two game-winning hits and four game-winning runs his Junior season.
PICK 116 – RHP, Josh McDevitt (Missouri) – Another high octane pitcher and one of the best in the SEC. Leans on that fast ball (over 500 thrown) and gets results (102 strikeouts).
In the deeper rounds of the draft, Rebhan and the front office made it clear that pitching was the priority, taking nine pitchers out of their last 15 selections.
PICK 148 – RHP, LJ Mercurius (University of Oklahoma) – “You’re getting a really athletic starting pitcher that has a big fast ball. Fast ball, changeup dominant. There’s a slider in there. We really liked him because of the athleticism and the strike-throwing ability…project him to be a major league starter. Really like that profile in the fifth round,” Rebhan said.
PICK 177 – LHP, Micah Worley (Stony Brook Univesity) – “Big, major arm. We think he’s a starter as well. Primarily the 98 mph fast ball and slider. There’s a changeup in there that we’ll need to develop. Well-rounded starter package,” Rebhan said.
PICK 206 – RHP, Carson Turnquist (Cal Poly) – “A theme here of big, physical, power-arm pitchers. Send him out as a starting pitcher as well and see how the career goes. Shown the ability to throw it over the plate and miss bats.”
PICK 296 – RHP, Mason Steele (University of Alabama-Birmingham) – “Very interesting fast ball. He’s got a solid slider…another guy that flashes some starter traits to give you start potential in the minor leagues and see what it really turns into,” Rebhan said.
PICK 356 – LHP, Caleb Jameson (University of Georgia) – “Part of that team this year that was one of better teams in the SEC and college baseball. More of a reliever, but does throw a ton of strikes. He’s a guy that you brought in velo and strikes and you see what we can make of it. He at least has a chance to throw bulk innings, whether that’s starter or reliever. An interesting arm there.”
PICK 416 – RHP, Brannon Westmoreland (University of Arkansas at Little Rock)
PICK 446 – RHP, Andrew Evans (Southern Illinois University)
PICK 476 – RHP, Joseph Jasso (Cal State Fullerton)
PICK 596 – RHP, Andrew Wertz (Northeastern University)
Diamondbacks continue to build up their farm system with even more athleticism and size on the mound.
The Snakes take their road trip to Washington this weekend.
