2026 MLB Draft prospect Mason Eckelman. Why he could get drafted

[ASFN Admin]

Mason Eckelman is one of five former Walsh Jesuit High School baseball players on the radar of major league teams heading into the 2026 MLB Draft.

The two-day draft runs July 11-12, with the first four rounds being conducted on Saturday and the final 16 rounds on Sunday.

Here's a look at Eckelman, who has played at Ohio State the last three years after graduating from Walsh Jesuit in 2022:

Mason Eckelman's 2026 MLB Draft outlook​

• Where is Eckelman slotted in the draft? Although he doesn't appear on the draft board, Eckelman was one of 335 draft prospects — which includes 195 college players — invited to last month's MLB draft combine in Phoenix.
• What organization would draft him? With scouts getting a good look at Eckelman, a catcher, any of the 30 teams could take him.
• What is Eckelman's college status? Eckelman just finished his junior season at Ohio State.
• A look at Eckelman's numbers: Eckelman batted .304 with 15 doubles, four triples, eight HRs and 47 RBIs and scored 42 runs last season. He has batted .280 (115-for-410) with 25 doubles, six triples, 13 HRs and 81 RBIs in three seasons with the Buckeyes. Eckelman was third-team All-Big Ten in 2026. His father, Alex, played minor league baseball and is the senior vice president of hitting for the Cleveland Guardians.
• What Walsh Jesuit manager Joe Bowers had to say about Eckelman: "He's just a stud hitter, catcher and person. Everything about him is good. He's got the genes. His swing has been beautiful since he was like 4. He's just a ballplayer."

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What's the most Walsh Jesuit baseball players selected in a single MLB draft?​

Walsh's record for most former players selected in a single draft occurred in 2010 when there were 50 rounds and three former Walsh standouts were selected — Johnny Fasola (36th round, Los Angeles Dodgers), Greg Greve (45th round, San Francisco Giants) and Tyler Skulina (46th round, Athletics).

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How many former Walsh Jesuit stars have played professionally?​

• To date, there have been 12 who played at the minor league level and above.
• OF Dominic Canzone (Arizona Diamondbacks 2019-23; Seattle Mariners, 2023-current)*
• RHP Ryan Feltner (Colorado Rockies, 2018-current)*
• RHP Johnny Fasola (Texas Rangers, 2014-18; St. Louis Cardinals, 2019)
• RHP Chris Machamer (Boston Red Sox, 2018-19)
• LHP Joe Mockbee (Chicago White Sox, 2017-18)
• C Cassidy Brown (Cincinnati Reds, 2016-19)
• RHP Tyler Skulina (Chicago Cubs, 2013-17, Washington Nationals, 2017)
• RHP Greg Greve (Florida Marlins, 2014)
• LHP Chad Rodgers (Atlanta Braves 2006-12, Minnesota Twins, 2013)
• LHP David Starn (Atlanta Braves, 2012-14)
• RHP Patrick O'Brien (Pittsburgh Pirates, 2000-05)
• LF/C/1B Matt Bok (Los Angeles Dodgers, 2002-03)
• * Current major leaguers

The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 2026 MLB Draft prospect Mason Eckelman. Why he could get drafted

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