The Minnesota Twins entered the 2026 MLB Draft with the third overall pick. This was their highest selection since 2017. They utilized a clear strategy: identifying established performers from “Power 4” conferences. They also focused on flooding the system with high-upside right-handed pitching. Scouting director Sean Johnson and the front office made straightforward choices with their early selections. They opted to take the top players on their board. This decision sometimes meant doubling down on the catching position in the first two rounds. Overall, the class earns a high grade. They secured a legitimate foundational piece at number three. Additionally, they added a staggering 13 right-handed pitchers to address a major organizational need for depth on the mound. The main takeaway is that the Minnesota Twins have significantly improved its catching pipeline. They have also prioritized players who have already proven they can thrive against elite amateur competition.
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Vahn Lackey, Round 1, Pick 3, Catcher, Georgia Tech
Key Stats from Previous Seasons: Lackey is coming off a monster junior campaign where he slashed .397/.519/.772 over 61 games. He recorded 20 home runs, 78 RBIs, and 85 runs scored, resulting in a massive 1.291 OPS that ranked in the top 10 nationally. He also displayed surprising speed for a backstop, stealing 18 bases in 2025 and nine more in 2026.
Scouting Report & Upside Lackey was the consensus breakout player of this draft class. He rose from a borderline first-rounder in January. By the draft, he became the third overall pick. Scouts describe him as an uncommonly athletic catcher. He has a 60-grade hit tool. His plus raw power is capable of producing 25–30 home runs annually. Defensively, he is explosive out of the crouch. He has a very strong, accurate arm. He was named the 2026 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Fans have already dubbed him “Buster Posey with athleticism.” Some analysts see him as a step above recent “generational” prospects like Adley Rutschman. His versatility is legendary; he once played all eight field positions in a single college game.
Why He Fits the Twins & What Fans Should Know: The Minnesota Twins have selected Lackey as the highest catcher. This decision has not been made since Joe Mauer in 2001. He fills a looming void behind the plate with Ryan Jeffers potentially exiting soon. He is a “catchery catcher” who handles a staff well. His athleticism is so unique that he could easily slide to third base on his “off” days. This helps keep his bat in the lineup. He is a cornerstone talent who could move quickly through the system.
Carson Tinney, Round 2, Pick 43, Catcher, Texas
Key Stats from Previous Seasons: A transfer from Notre Dame, Tinney put up huge numbers in the SEC, batting .326 with a 1.171 OPS for the Longhorns in 2026. Over his last two collegiate seasons, he hit a total of 39 home runs. He also showed elite discipline by drawing 55 walks in 61 games this past year.
Scouting Report & Upside Tinney is a physical specimen at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds. He possesses some of the highest exit velocities. He also has the best raw power in the entire draft class. There are some swing-and-miss concerns. These concerns are highlighted by a 40% strikeout rate in the Cape Cod League. However, his ability to crush balls to the pull side gives him double-plus power potential. Scouting reports compare him to a larger version of Hunter Goodman or a “Ryan Jeffers with more upside”. His arm strength is a plus, though his agility behind the plate is still developing.
Why He Fits the Twins & What Fans Should Know: Taking back-to-back catchers shocked the Minnesota Twins’ draft. This choice provides Minnesota with a high-upside offensive fallback. It could also offer a potential battery partner for Lackey. Fans should know he lacks Lackey’s multi-positional athleticism. He is a dedicated “catchery catcher.” The Twins believe they can refine him into a solid big-league defender.
Brett Renfrow, Round CB-B, Pick 74, RHP, Virginia Tech
Key Stats from Previous Seasons: Renfrow was integral to the Hokies’ rotation for three years. He became the first freshman to pitch on opening day for the program since 2005. In 2026, he posted a 4.64 ERA with 88 strikeouts across 73 innings.
Scouting Report & Upside Renfrow fits the classic mold of a durable college workhorse. He features a five-pitch mix. It is led by a fastball that sits at 94 mph and can touch 97 mph. He pairs it with distinct upper-80s sliders and cutters. His results were occasionally uneven as a junior. However, he showed flashes of dominance. One highlight was a nine-strikeout shutout performance against NC State. Analysts compare his build and strike-throwing ability to that of Griffin Jax.
Why He Fits the Twins & What Fans Should Know. The Minnesota Twins system was lacking in pure bulk innings. They also lacked starting pitching depth. Renfrow is a high-floor pick. He should be a “sturdy innings eater.” He provides stability to the class, allowing the team to take bigger risks on high-school arms later on.
https://www.mlb.com/video/2026-draft-brett-renfrow-rhp
Ethan Wachsmann, Round 3, Pick 79, RHP, Grandview HS (CO)
Key Stats from Previous Seasons As a high school senior, Wachsmann was dominant, posting a 2.10 ERA with 66 strikeouts and a .159 batting average against. Earlier in the spring, he pitched a small sample. He racked up 29 strikeouts in just 14 innings. He allowed only three walks.
Scouting Report & Upside Wachsmann was the only high school player selected by the Twins on the draft’s first day. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, he has a “dream starting pitcher build.” He lit up radar guns at the draft combine with a fastball that hit 100 mph. He has an exceptional curveball with spin rates around 2,900 rpm. Wachsmann has also developed a “kick change” that is already a foundational pitch. He is raw, and his delivery is effortful, leading to comparisons to recent draft pick Charlie Soto.
Why He Fits the Twins & What Fans Should Know Wachsmann is a significant high-upside play. He could have easily been a first-rounder if he had gone to college at Wake Forest. He was the top-ranked prospect in Colorado. The Minnesota Twins will likely pay him an over-slot bonus. This is to keep him from heading to campus.
https://www.mlb.com/video/2026-draft-ethan-wachsmann-of
Tommy LaPour, Round 4, Pick 107, RHP, TCU
Key Stats from Previous Seasons LaPour’s best college stretch came in 2025 when he went 8-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 90 innings. His 2026 season was limited by elbow soreness, which caused him to miss 72 days of action.
Scouting Report & Upside LaPour is another physically imposing righty at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. He has a background in wrestling and football. This background contributes to his high-level competitiveness. He features an electric fastball that sits 95-98 mph and has reached 101 mph. His changeup is noted for its unique horizontal movement, which gives it “unicorn” traits alongside a hard slider and cutter. While there is some relief risk due to his effortful delivery, his pure stuff is undeniable.
Why He Fits the Twins & What Fans Should Know LaPour is a value pick. He would have gone much higher if not for his 2026 injury. He represents the Twins’ ongoing process. They target “big-bodied relief risk starting pitchers” with massive velocity. The team’s player development staff can optimize these pitchers.
Day 2 & Later Round Highlights
The Minnesota Twins continued their pitching-heavy approach on Day 2. They selected nine straight right-handers between the supplemental second round and round ten. Thomas Burns (Round 8) is a major name to watch. He is a power pitcher who has touched 100 mph. Burns struck out over 40% of the batters he faced this year. In the later rounds, Minnesota added Aidan Teel (Round 11). He is an athletic outfielder with a smooth left-handed swing. Additionally, they selected Hideki Prather (Round 17). He is a breakout catcher from Cal. Prather led his team in nearly every major offensive category. The team also concentrated on “senior signs.” This helped manage their bonus pool. They selected Ethan Lay (Round 6) from Sacramento State.
This 2026 class is an aggressive statement by the Minnesota front office. They secured the draft’s premier catcher. They also acquired a powerful secondary backstop. As a result, they have turned an organizational weakness into a position of immense future strength. Combine that with the massive influx of 100-mph arms. Add durable college starters, and there is a lot for fans to be excited about. These prospects are beginning their climb through the system. It is a high-ceiling, high-impact group that could define the next era of Twins baseball.
