The 2026 MLB Draft gave the five teams in the National League Central an opportunity to add another important piece to their respective futures. The division featured an interesting combination of polished college performers, tool-filled high school position players and potential starting pitchers. Pittsburgh made the first move with the fifth overall selection, while St. Louis ended the opening portion of the Draft with two highly regarded prospects. Here is Sportsvival’s look at every NL Central selection from the first round and Competitive Balance Round A.
Pittsburgh Pirates, No. 5 Overall
Derek Curiel, OF, LSU
The Pirates selected one of the most polished hitters in the class when they grabbed LSU outfielder Derek Curiel with the fifth overall pick. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound Curiel batted .349 with a .975 OPS over two seasons at LSU, including a .353 average, 82 hits, 64 runs and 13 stolen bases during the 2026 season. His smooth left-handed swing, advanced strike-zone awareness and ability to use the entire field give him the chance to become a high-average hitter near the top of Pittsburgh’s lineup. Curiel may never develop into a 30-home-run slugger, but his contact skills, speed, aggressive playing style and ability to remain in center field provide him with a high floor. Sportsvival believes Curiel could move quickly through the system and eventually give the Pirates another exciting young position player to build around.
St. Louis Cardinals, No. 13 Overall
Trevor Condon, OF, Etowah High School, Georgia
St. Louis took one of the most energetic and athletic high school players in the Draft with the selection of Trevor Condon. The Etowah High School outfielder brings excellent speed, strong contact ability and the defensive instincts needed to remain in center field. Condon plays with tremendous effort and has already shown enough power during showcase events to create optimism that he could eventually become a 20-home-run hitter. There is naturally more development required with a high school player, but Condon has the athleticism and overall skill set to become an impact player on both sides of the baseball. This was an upside selection for the Cardinals, but Condon’s motor and well-rounded game could eventually make him a favorite in St. Louis.
Cincinnati Reds, No. 18 Overall
Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
Few players selected in the first round possess more pure tools than Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound infielder entered the season as a potential candidate to become the first overall pick after batting .327 with 30 home runs and 109 RBIs during his first two college seasons. His production slipped to a .277 average during his junior year, but Lebron still hit 16 home runs, helped Alabama reach the College World Series and stole an incredible 42 bases in 43 attempts. Lebron combines 70-grade speed with plus right-handed power and enough defensive ability for Cincinnati to believe he can remain at shortstop. There are questions about his approach and occasional swing-and-miss issues, but his combination of power, speed and athleticism gives him one of the highest ceilings in the entire class.
Chicago Cubs, No. 23 Overall
Cade Townsend, RHP, Ole Miss
The Cubs added another potential starting pitcher to their system by selecting Ole Miss right-hander Cade Townsend. Townsend normally operates with a fastball in the mid-90s and supports it with an extensive collection of secondary pitches, including a curveball, slider, splitter and cutter. Shoulder soreness caused some concern early in the spring, but Townsend returned quickly, pitched well and showed improved strike-throwing throughout the season. His deep arsenal should give him several different ways to attack professional hitters, while his college experience could allow him to move through the lower levels of the farm system relatively quickly. Townsend may not possess the highest ceiling among the pitchers selected in the first round, but he has the repertoire and competitiveness to develop into a dependable Major League starter.
Milwaukee Brewers, No. 25 Overall
Trey Ebel, SS, Corona High School, California
The Brewers kept things in the family by selecting Corona High School shortstop Trey Ebel one year after drafting his older brother, Brady Ebel, with the 32nd overall pick. Trey is also the son of longtime Major League coach Dino Ebel, giving him the type of baseball background and understanding that Milwaukee traditionally values. He is a quick-twitch player with strong bat-to-ball skills, quality defensive instincts and an advanced feel for the game. Ebel may not project as a massive power hitter, and there is a possibility he eventually moves from shortstop to second base, but his ability to consistently make contact gives him a chance to become a productive everyday infielder. Milwaukee has enjoyed success developing intelligent and versatile position players, making Ebel an excellent fit for the organization.
St. Louis Cardinals, No. 32 Overall, Competitive Balance Round A
Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
The Cardinals used their second opening-round selection on Tennessee right-hander Tegan Kuhns, giving the organization another power arm from the Volunteers’ program. The 6-foot-3, 189-pound Kuhns works primarily with a fastball that sits between 93 and 96 mph and can reach 98, along with a hard, downward-breaking curveball that projects as another plus offering. He finished the 2026 season with a 3.56 ERA, 106 strikeouts and only 16 walks over 81 innings, showing a major improvement in control. Kuhns experienced an uneven stretch that briefly moved him from Tennessee’s rotation to the bullpen, but he responded well after returning to a starting role. With additional strength and continued development of his secondary pitches, Kuhns has the ingredients to become a middle-of-the-rotation starter with the potential to develop into something more.
Final Thoughts
The NL Central came away from the opening round with an impressive variety of talent. Pittsburgh added one of the safest college hitters available, Cincinnati landed one of the Draft’s biggest power-and-speed combinations, Chicago secured a polished starting pitcher and Milwaukee continued building around athletic players with strong baseball instincts. St. Louis may have taken the biggest swing of the division, pairing the upside of a high school center fielder with a powerful and improving college pitcher. It will take several years before these selections can truly be evaluated, but the 2026 MLB Draft may have added another talented group of players to one of baseball’s most competitive divisions.