Draft Board Chess: Breaking Down Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft
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From raw power plays to high-floor athletes, front offices navigated the middle rounds to secure game-changing talent.
The real game of roster construction doesn't happen in the first few picks; it happens in the grind of Day 2. While the first 135 selections set the tone, the subsequent rounds are where front offices decide if they are playing chess or checkers with their future. According to MLB.com, Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft opened with Round 5 and extended through Round 20, featuring a slate of talent that could shift the trajectory of several franchises.
Some teams focused on raw, high-ceiling potential. The Washington Nationals took a gamble on Daniel Cuvet, a right-handed 3B from Miami (138th overall), who MLB.com describes as having as much raw power as anyone in the class, despite concerns regarding holes in his swing. Similarly, the Philadelphia Phillies targeted Will Gasparino (161st overall), a 6-foot-6 outfielder from UCLA with a massive offensive ceiling and improved strikeout rates.
Other organizations prioritized versatility and athletic floors. The Los Angeles Angels selected Jaxon Willits (141st overall), a switch-hitting shortstop from Oklahoma and son of former big leaguer Reggie Willits. MLB.com notes that while Willits lacks a single standout tool, his high baseball IQ and performance as the Men’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player provide a high floor. The Chicago White Sox took a similar approach with Alex Weingartner (166th overall), a 6-foot-2 athlete from St. Augustine Prep who holds a 6.24-second 60-yard dash record. Though previously viewed as a two-way prospect, the White Sox announced him as an outfielder.
On the mound, teams looked for untapped velocity and mechanical upside. The Colorado Rockies used their first Day 2 pick on Tyler Putnam (136th overall), a 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher from Battle (MO) HS who can hit 97 mph. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays selected LHP Kyle Johnson (174 overall) from Virginia, an athletic lefty with a five-pitch mix who is now focusing exclusively on pitching after his time as a two-way player.
Rounding out the notable selections, the Cincinnati Reds opted for speed with prep shortstop Dylan Bowen (154th overall), an Oklahoma State commit. The Cleveland Guardians targeted power behind the plate with 6-foot-5 catcher Deiten Lachance (184th overall) from Oklahoma, and the Seattle Mariners selected Henry Ford (191st overall), a right-handed 3B from Tennessee who has developed a more balanced profile after transferring from Virginia.