Chicago-area products storm to top of MLB Draft

Posted July 12, 2026 7:25 pm

Mike McGraw

This might be unprecedented in MLB Draft history.

In a sport typically dominated by warmer climates, two of the top 10 picks on Saturday were from high schools in the Chicago area.

Outfielder Zion Rose, from Louisville and Brother Rice, went sixth to Kansas City; then Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, who graduated from Lincoln-Way East, was chosen 10th by Colorado.

Day 2 of the draft featured a decent showing from the suburbs. Here's a list of local players chosen:

∙ RHP Michael Addari, Libertyville — Astros, Round 6: The 6-foot-6 junior started his college career at Michigan State before posting a 2.27 ERA at Illinois State this spring.

∙ RHP Max Hansmann, York — Nationals, Round 8: He spent four years at Evansville, sporting a 3.99 ERA as a senior this spring. According to his college bio, Hansmann competed in the Chicago to Mackinac sailboat race at age 12.

∙ C Jayden Lobliner, St. Charles North — Cardinals, Round 9: After starting college at Kansas State, Lobliner put together two solid years at San Diego, hitting .296 with 10 home runs this spring.

∙ OF Brayden Bakes, Huntley — Phillies, Round 13: Bakes played alongside twin brother Ryan this season at Illinois State, where Brayden hit .402 with 14 home runs.

∙ 1B Ryan Niedzwiedz, West Aurora — Rockies, Round 15: In just three seasons, he became the all-time home run leader at SIU-Edwardsville with 46. Batted .351 with 27 home runs this spring.

∙ OF Tanner Mally, Naperville North — Giants, Round 17: Mally led all of Division I baseball this spring with a .446 batting average. His career on-base percentage at Western Michigan was .499.

Also worth noting is former Northwestern starting quarterback Jack Lausch, a Brother Rice High School grad who decided to focus on baseball, was chosen by the Reds in the 17th round.

Suburban players drafted on Day 1 included Nazareth's Landon Thome by the White Sox, Lyons Township pitcher Jack Slightom to Kansas City and Oswego East outfielder Dominic Battista, also to the Royals.