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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 11: Commissioner of Major League Baseball Robert D. Manfred announces Taj Marchand as the 33rd overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2026 MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express at Pennsylvania Convention Center on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Rays bolstered their pitching pipeline by selecting Ben Blair, a right-handed pitcher from Liberty University, with their next pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Blair emerged as one of the fastest-rising college arms in the class after moving into Liberty’s Friday night starter role, where he paired durability with one of the most unique deliveries in the draft. His low-slot, cross-body mechanics create deception that allows his stuff to play above its raw grades, making for uncomfortable at-bats against hitters from both sides.
Blair features a deep five-pitch mix led by a fastball that reaches 97 mph, a heavy sinker that generates ground balls, and a pair of quality breaking pitches in a slider and cutter. Just as importantly, he has developed into an above-average strike thrower, earning praise for his command and ability to repeat an unconventional delivery.
While some evaluators wonder whether his arm slot could eventually push him toward the bullpen, his track record as a starter and consistent ability to miss barrels give him a strong chance to remain in the rotation as he begins his professional career.
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