Jonathan Mayo explains why MLB Teams can't trade Draft picks, has Grady Emerson over Roch Cholowsky
- Jack Vita
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
MLB Pipeline senior prospect and Draft analyst Jonathan Mayo visits the Jack Vita Show less than two weeks out from the 2026 MLB Draft!
He provides an updated look MLB Pipeline's latest mock draft, centered around the Chicago White Sox' critical decision at the top of the board which appears to be between UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Fort Worth Christian High School shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. This, just two weeks after his colleague Jim Callis visited the show, proclaiming that he would take Emerson over Cholowsky if he had the number one pick.
A common question asked following last episode is why can't MLB teams trade draft picks? Should they be able to trade picks? Would it make for better entertainment? Jonathan shares why the trading of picks is currently not permitted, but that could change in the near future. He and Jack discuss whether teams should be able to trade picks or not. Could the MLB Draft become more like the NFL Draft?
Jonathan explains why he believes shortstops Cholowsky and Emerson top Lackey, a catcher. How much does their position matter, when it comes to drafting best available player? How much does organizational depth play a factor in a team's selection? Then, Jonathan and Jack take a look at the next grouping of players. Gulliver Prep (FL) High School shortstop Jacob Lombard, UC Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Jackson Flora and Oak Grove (MS) High School outfielder Eric Booth Jr. are regarded by MLB Pipeline as the fourth, fifth and sixth-best players, respectively, in this year's Draft. Jonathan puts them under the microscope.
The MLB Draft Combine took place last week, as well. Jonathan was on-hand for it. He shares some thoughts and takeaways from this year's Combine, which included the nephew of Barry Bonds, Rutgers outfielder Peyton Bonds, turning heads. All this, and much more, only on the Jack Vita Show!
You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JonathanMayo), subscribe to his podcasts, MLB Pipeline and Something Worth Saving, buy his book Smart, Wrong, and Lucky: The Origin Stories of Baseball's Unexpected Stars, and check out his next mock draft on MLB.com!
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