Iowa's Landon Brown among top prospects still available on Day 2 of MLB Draft
The 2026 MLB Draft continues Sunday with Rounds 5 through 20, and an Iowa-area prep pitcher remains one of the most intriguing names still on the board. Landon Brown, a right-handed pitcher from Iowa Colony High School in Texas, is ranked No. 77 overall and could be a key pickup for a team willing to invest in his raw talent.
Brown, who is committed to Mississippi State, has drawn scouts with a mid-90s fastball that can reach higher with mechanical adjustments. His low-80s slider flashes plus potential, and he also throws a cutter and splitter. But signing him away from college will likely require a significant overslot bonus, similar to the record-setting $2 million the Cubs paid for Josiah Hartshorn in the sixth round last year.
Day 2 schedule and how to watch
Day 2 begins Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET with the fifth round and runs through the 20th round. Coverage is available on MLB.com, MLB.TV, and MLB+. Jacob Wilkins, Jim Callis, and Jonathan Mayo will provide commentary from Philadelphia.
This year's format change pushes Day 2 start to Round 5, up from Rounds 3-4 in previous years. That shift could make it harder for teams to land high-school prospects who want above-slot deals, since bonus-pool slots in the fifth round are smaller.
Top prospects still available
Several other high-ceiling players remain undrafted, including:
- Archer Horn, SS, St. Ignatius College Prep (Calif.) HS (No. 54) – A left-handed hitter with good bat speed and a strong arm, but limited speed may push him off shortstop. Committed to Stanford.
- Blake Bowen, OF, JSerra Catholic (Calif.) HS (No. 63) – A 6-foot-3 slugger with plus-plus raw power and 60-grade speed and arm. In-zone whiff issues could send him to Oregon State.
- Joseph Contreras, RHP, Blessed Trinity (Ga.) HS (No. 64) – Son of All-Star José Contreras, he pitched for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic at age 17. Fastball sits 92-95 mph with a plus forkball. Committed to Vanderbilt.
- Carson Bailey, LHP, McLennan (Texas) CC (No. 70) – A 6-foot-4 southpaw with a 93-96 mph fastball and good sink, but a torn ACL and meniscus in March limited his season. Committed to Texas A&M.
- Ethan Bass, SS, Glenbrook North (Ill.) HS (No. 71) – Above-average runner with a plus arm and solid defense. Hit tool grades as average, power needs development. Committed to Wake Forest.
- Will Gasparino, OF, UCLA (No. 72) – A 6-foot-6 right-handed hitter with plus-plus raw power but chase issues. Transferred from Texas after two years.
- Denton Lord, RHP, South Walton (Fla.) HS (No. 80) – Teammate of first-round pick Coleman Borthwick, Lord stands 6-foot-8 and touches 97-98 mph with his fastball. Committed to Mississippi State.
- Bo Holloway, LHP, Christ Presbyterian (Tenn.) Academy (No. 82) – Worked with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, now sits 94-98 mph with a 100 mph fastball. Committed to Vanderbilt.
- Kollin Ritchie, OF, Oklahoma State (No. 84) – Led Division I with 31 home runs this spring, but a long swing and high strikeout rate raise questions. Likely a corner outfielder.
Why Day 2 matters for Iowa fans
While no Iowa-based players are among the top remaining prospects, the state's baseball community has a stake in the draft's outcome. The Chicago Cubs, who have a strong following in Iowa, made a splash in the sixth round last year by signing Hartshorn for $2 million. That deal shows that teams are willing to spend big on Day 2 to land premium talent.
Additionally, the Minnesota Twins, who hold the third overall pick, are active in the region. The Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals also have strong Iowa connections. Any of these teams could target Brown or other high-upside players in the later rounds.
What to watch for
Teams will look for value in Rounds 5-20, often targeting high-school players who need overslot bonuses to bypass college commitments. The success of recent Day 2 picks like Hartshorn and Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt, who debuted in the majors less than three years after being drafted in the sixth round, shows that talent can emerge from anywhere.
For Iowa baseball fans, the draft is a reminder that the sport's future stars often come from unexpected places. Whether it's a Texas prep pitcher or a California high school shortstop, Day 2 offers a chance to see the next generation of talent take shape.