The deadline for most players selected in the 2026 MLB Draft to sign with the clubs that picked them has passed with several Mississippi prospects making their decisions.
Eric Booth Jr., an outfielder from Oak Grove High School, signed with the Baltimore Orioles, who selected him with the No. 7 overall pick. Booth’s $7,324,700 signing bonus is the third-largest in Orioles history, trailing only Jackson Holliday’s bonus in 2022 and Adley Rutschman’s in 2019.
Booth was widely considered the fastest player in the 2026 draft, rounding the bases in just over four seconds. He combines elite speed with significant bat speed and the ability to hit for contact, posting a batting average above .400 in each of his last three prep seasons. Booth became the third consecutive Mississippi high school prospect selected in the top 10 and signed, joining Jackson Prep’s Konnor Griffin in 2024 (No. 9 overall, Pittsburgh Pirates) and Purvis High School’s JoJo Parker in 2025 (No. 8 overall, Toronto Blue Jays).
By signing with Baltimore, Booth bypassed his commitment to Vanderbilt.
Other first-round selections from Mississippi schools to sign include Ole Miss pitcher Cade Townsend with the Chicago Cubs ($3.1 million), Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese with the Seattle Mariners ($3.5 million), and Ole Miss pitcher Taylor Rabe with the Kansas City Royals ($3.2 million).
Magnolia Heights utility player Cole Prosek, the only second-round selection from a Mississippi school, signed with the Chicago White Sox for $3.25 million, bypassing his commitment to Ole Miss.
Among fourth-round selections, Mississippi State pitcher Ben Davis signed with the Colorado Rockies ($447,500), while Jackson Prep outfielder Kevin Roberts Jr. signed with the Orioles ($1 million), bypassing his commitment to Florida and joining Booth in Baltimore’s farm system. Ole Miss pitcher Hudson Calhoun signed with the Texas Rangers ($498,375).
Players selected in rounds 5-10 who signed include Ole Miss pitcher Will Libbert with the Atlanta Braves ($447,500), former Madison Central and Jacksonville State pitcher Beau Bryans with the San Francisco Giants ($292,300), Jackson Academy outfielder Tai Jones with the Tampa Bay Rays ($547,500), Southern Miss outfielder Joey Urban with the Blue Jays ($2,500), and Mississippi State outfielder Bryce Chance with the Blue Jays ($2,500).
Jones’ decision to sign bypassed his commitment to McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas.
Players selected in rounds 11-16 who signed include Mississippi State outfielder Aidan Teel with the Minnesota Twins ($210,000), former Jones College and Jacksonville State two-way player Brady Thomas with the Houston Astros ($151,500), former DeSoto Central and Louisiana Tech shortstop Colton Coates with the Boston Red Sox ($150,000), and George County High School pitcher Bradyn Havard with the Milwaukee Brewers ($150,00).
Havard’s decision to sign bypassed his commitment to Pearl River Community College.
Players selected in rounds 17-20 who signed include Southern Miss pitcher McCarty English with the Rays ($150,000), Ole Miss pitcher Landon Waters with the Blue Jays ($50,000), Southern Miss pitcher Drake Meeks with the Detroit Tigers ($150,000), Ole Miss catcher Austin Fawley with the Braves ($10,000), and East Central Community College pitcher Ryan Nelson with the Cincinnati Reds ($150,000).
JP Robertson was the only Mississippi prospect to not sign before Monday’s deadline, opting to stay with Ole Miss instead of signing with the San Francisco Giants.
MLB teams had until Monday, July 27, at 4 p.m. CT to reach agreements with players drafted out of four-year colleges and high schools. Those who signed entered into Minor League Uniform Player Contracts, which grant the drafting club exclusive rights to the player for up to seven minor league seasons.
