Many popular publications, including FanSided and MLB.com, have the Twins selecting Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the third overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated predicts Minnesota will add another exciting shortstop to its pipeline by drafting Gulliver Prep's Jacob Lombard. If the Twins select Lombard, it'd mark the third straight year the team drafts a shortstop in the first round, as the Twins drafted Kaelen Culpepper in 2024 and Marek Houston in 2025.
Lombard, the younger brother of New York Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. and son of former big leaguer George Lombard, is MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall draft prospect. The 18-year-old shortstop is a right-handed hitter who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 185 pounds. He has outstanding defensive range, is a threat on the basepaths and is known for his power.
In 29 games during his senior year, Lombard posted a .477 batting average and .607 on-base percentage with 10 homers, four doubles, 52 runs and 25 RBI across 117 plate appearances. Over 114 career varsity games, the shortstop recorded an outstanding .362/.518/.627 slash line with 19 home runs, 17 doubles, 132 runs and 69 RBI.
Should Twins draft Lackey or Lombard?
Since he's only 18 years old, Lombard likely won't be ready to make his MLB debut for at least a few seasons. Meanwhile, a college player like Lackey could make an impact much sooner. It's tough to predict how high schoolers will fare, but Lombard certainly has the potential to be a star in the big leagues.
The Chicago White Sox are almost certain to draft consensus No. 1 draft prospect Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop out of UCLA, with the first overall pick. The Tampa Bay Rays have the second overall pick, and many predict they will draft Fort Worth Christian shortstop Grady Emerson. If Cholowsky and Emerson go No. 1 and No. 2 in the draft, I personally hope the Twins draft Lackey, who is slashing .388/.504/.713 in 238 plate appearances this season as of Friday morning.
While the Twins already have a highly-regarded catching prospect in Eduardo Tait and another promising catching prospect in Enrique Jimenez, strong-hitting backstops are difficult to come by. If Minnesota drafts Lackey, and the Georgia Tech product and Tait and/or Jimenez end up proving to be MLB starting catchers, then the Twins will have a dilemma any team would wish for. Lombard could be a solid pick for Minnesota, but his age makes it difficult to predict his future.
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