The American League West featured a little bit of everything during the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft. The Athletics added one of college baseball’s most accomplished hitters, the Angels and Rangers invested in high-upside high school talent, the Mariners grabbed a powerful SEC bat, and the Astros used two selections to add polished college players who could move quickly through the organization.
Here is Sportsvival’s look at every AL West first-round selection, listed in overall draft order.
8) Athletics: Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech
The Athletics continued their recent trend of selecting advanced college hitters by landing Drew Burress with the eighth overall pick. Burress may only stand 5-foot-9, but his production, bat speed and ability to drive the baseball rank among the best in the class. He finished his Georgia Tech career with a .357 batting average, 60 home runs and a 1.204 OPS over three seasons. His short, compact swing allows him to make consistent contact while still producing power to every part of the field. Burress also possesses enough athleticism and arm strength to remain in center field, although right field would be another possibility. With his polished approach and extensive college experience, he could move rapidly through the Athletics’ system and eventually join an already exciting young lineup.
12) Los Angeles Angels: Jared Grindlinger, OF, Huntington Beach High School
The Angels changed their recent draft philosophy by selecting high school outfielder Jared Grindlinger after taking a college player with their first pick in each of the previous seven drafts. Grindlinger was one of the youngest players available after reclassifying into the 2026 class, and he brings considerable long-term projection as a 6-foot-3 left-handed hitter. He shows a solid feel for making contact, with additional power expected as he fills out physically. Grindlinger is also an accomplished left-handed pitcher whose fastball has reached 96 miles per hour, giving the Angels the option of eventually developing him as a two-way player. Los Angeles will initially use him as an outfielder, where his bat will determine whether he becomes an everyday corner outfielder or possibly handles center field.
16) Texas Rangers: Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Texas may have landed one of the biggest values of the first round when Gio Rojas remained available at No. 16. Considered the top high school pitcher and best left-handed pitcher in the class by MLB Pipeline, Rojas possesses a fastball that can reach 98 miles per hour, a sweeping slider and a developing changeup. He dominated during his senior season at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, recording a 0.58 ERA with 124 strikeouts over 72 innings while helping his team win another Florida state championship. The 6-foot-4 left-hander also demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure with Team USA. High school pitchers always carry developmental risk, but Rojas has the stuff, command and mound presence to eventually develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter.
17) Houston Astros: Logan Hughes, OF, Texas Tech
Houston stayed true to its preference for college hitters by selecting Logan Hughes with the 17th overall pick. Hughes produced one of the strongest offensive seasons in college baseball, batting .375 with 18 home runs, 71 RBIs and 50 walks against only 33 strikeouts for Texas Tech. The left-handed hitter combines excellent strike-zone awareness with the ability to punish fastballs and drive the ball with authority. He profiles primarily as a corner outfielder, although Houston also plans to give him opportunities at first base. Hughes may not have the defensive value of some other first-round outfielders, but his combination of power, contact ability and plate discipline gives him a chance to become a productive middle-of-the-order hitter.
24) Seattle Mariners: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
Seattle grabbed one of the best pure power hitters in the draft when Ace Reese reached the 24th selection. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound left-handed hitter launched 45 home runs in 118 games during his two seasons at Mississippi State, producing a .341/.425/.719 slash line and a 1.144 OPS. Reese has the bat speed and natural leverage to drive the ball out to all fields, giving him legitimate 25-to-30-home-run potential at the Major League level. The biggest question involves his future defensive position. He has improved at third base, but limited range could eventually push him to first base or left field. Regardless of where he plays, Seattle selected Reese because of his bat, and his power could eventually become an important part of the Mariners’ lineup.
28) Houston Astros: Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame
The Astros received the 28th selection as a Prospect Promotion Incentive pick after Hunter Brown finished third in the 2025 American League Cy Young Award voting, and they used it to select Notre Dame right-hander Jack Radel. The 6-foot-5 starter went 8-4 with a 3.29 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP and 116 strikeouts against only 22 walks over 87⅔ innings in 2026. His fastball can reach 98 miles per hour and plays well because of his extension and high release point. Radel also has developed a five-pitch arsenal and consistently throws strikes, giving him one of the higher floors among the pitchers selected in the opening round. He may not possess the same ceiling as some of the younger arms, but his durability, command and competitiveness give him a realistic chance to become a dependable middle-of-the-rotation starter.
Final Thoughts
The AL West assembled one of the most interesting collections of first-round talent in the draft. The Athletics and Mariners added two of the most productive power hitters in college baseball, while the Angels took a major swing on Grindlinger’s youth and two-way potential. Texas may have secured the division’s highest-upside pitcher in Rojas, especially considering he was viewed as a possible top-10 selection.
Houston’s two-pick combination gave the Astros perhaps the most balanced first round in the division. Hughes supplies an advanced offensive profile with middle-of-the-order potential, while Radel offers polish, strike-throwing ability and a relatively clear path toward becoming a Major League starter. Every AL West organization added a player with a legitimate carrying tool, making this a strong and diverse first-round showing for the division.