Eric Booth Jr.
OF, Oak Grove HS, Mississippi
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 205 pounds
Bats/Throws: L/L
Commitment: Vanderbilt
Projected Round: First Round
Sportsvival continues its MLB Draft prospect coverage with one of the most athletic players in the 2026 class, Oak Grove outfielder Eric Booth Jr. Booth is a left-handed hitting outfielder from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and he has become one of the most talked-about prep bats in the country because of his rare power and speed combination. He is not just a track-style athlete playing baseball. Booth has shown real production, real impact ability, and the type of upside that could make him one of the first high school bats selected in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Background
Eric Booth Jr. plays for Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is listed around 6’0” and 205 pounds, with Perfect Game listing him at 6’0”, 207 pounds and Baseball America listing him at 6’0”, 205 pounds. He is a left-handed hitter and left-handed thrower, and he is committed to Vanderbilt.
Booth has been a major riser in the 2026 class. His athleticism jumps off the page, but what makes him more than just a tools prospect is the way he has produced at the plate. Perfect Game has recorded him as a 6.27 runner in the 60-yard dash, while Prep Baseball lists his best 60-yard time at 6.25, showing the type of plus-plus speed that gives him a chance to stay in center field long term.
2026 Stats
As of MaxPreps’ April 27, 2026 update, Booth was hitting .481 with a .669 on-base percentage, 37 hits, 55 runs, 31 RBIs, 5 home runs, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 23 stolen bases, a .922 slugging percentage, and a 1.591 OPS in 29 games for Oak Grove.
Those numbers show exactly why his draft stock has climbed. Booth is getting on base at an elite rate, creating extra-base damage, stealing bases, and scoring runs at a high level. He is not just putting together a good high school season. He is producing like one of the premier offensive players in the country.
Tools and Skills
Booth’s calling card is his athleticism. He has top-of-the-scale speed, and that speed impacts the game in multiple ways. He can steal bases, pressure defenses, stretch singles into doubles, and cover serious ground in the outfield.
At the plate, Booth brings loud left-handed contact. He has strength in his frame and can drive the ball with authority. MLB Pipeline’s scouting page lists him with a 55 hit tool, 50 power, 70 run, 50 field, and 40 arm, while other scouting reports have been higher on the power and defensive profile.
The swing is not always conventional, and that will be something evaluators continue to study. But the bat speed, strength, and athleticism are all there. When Booth gets the barrel to the baseball, the ball comes off hard, and his legs allow him to turn contact into instant pressure.
Pros
Booth has one of the best athletic profiles in the 2026 MLB Draft class.
His speed is a true carrying tool and gives him a chance to stick in center field.
He has shown high-end production against high school competition.
He has legitimate left-handed power potential.
His on-base numbers show patience and an ability to control the strike zone.
He brings extra-base ability, stolen-base upside, and run-scoring value.
He has a strong, physical frame for a high school outfielder.
His Vanderbilt commitment adds to the leverage, but also shows how highly regarded he is as a prospect.
Cons
Booth’s swing can get unorthodox, and pro scouts will want to see how it translates against better velocity and advanced breaking stuff.
His arm is not considered his loudest tool, which could matter if a team views him more as a corner outfielder than a center fielder.
Like most high school hitters, there will be some risk in projecting the bat against professional pitching.
There is still some polish needed in his offensive approach, especially if pitchers start attacking him more carefully at the next level.
If he does not stay in center field, the bat will have to carry even more pressure.
MLB Comparison
MLB Comparison: Corbin Carroll style upside
Booth is not the exact same player as Corbin Carroll, but the comparison makes sense from a tools standpoint. Both are left-handed hitting outfielders whose games are built around speed, athleticism, pressure, and surprising power. Carroll is the more polished big-league version of that profile, but Booth has a similar type of offensive excitement because he can impact the game with his legs, his bat, and his ability to change the pace of an inning.
A more conservative comparison would be a faster version of Brandon Nimmo if Booth’s on-base skills continue to translate and he stays in center field.
Draft Outlook
Booth looks like a first-round talent in the 2026 MLB Draft. He has too many tools, too much production, and too much upside to ignore. MLB.com recently connected Booth to the Pirates in a top-pick projection and described him as one of the highest-ceiling players in the draft, noting his hard contact, double-plus speed, and chance to stay in center field.
High school outfielders always come with risk, but Booth has the type of athletic package teams dream on. He has speed, power, left-handed hitting ability, defensive upside, and a strong track record of production. If a team believes the swing will hold up, Booth could come off the board very early.
Sportsvival Summary
Eric Booth Jr. is one of the most exciting prep bats in the 2026 MLB Draft. He brings the type of speed that can change a game, the strength to drive the ball with authority, and the athleticism to give a team a future center field option. There are still areas to refine, especially with the swing and how it will translate to pro pitching, but the upside is big.
Sportsvival sees Booth as a first-round outfielder with star-level tools. He may need development time, but the ceiling is extremely high. In a draft class loaded with college talent and high school upside, Booth stands out as one of the best pure athletes available.