Royals Pick Louisville's Zion Rose Sixth in 2026 MLB Draft

WHO:

MLB.com - Taylor Rabe, a right-handed pitcher from Mississippi, was selected by the Royals with the No. 30 pick.

MLB.com - The Kansas City Royals selected Zion Rose, an outfielder from Louisville, with the No. 6 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

MLB.com - Taylor Rabe, a right-handed pitcher from Mississippi, was selected by the Royals with the No. 30 pick.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Rabe has a big fastball that averages 96 mph and tops out at 100 mph, striking out 105 batters compared to just 15 walks across 76 innings for Ole Miss.

MLB.com - Rabe was ranked No. 40 overall by Pipeline.

MLB.com - Zion Rose was ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 30 Draft prospect.

MLB.com - Rose finished his college career with a .358 batting average, .438 on-base percentage, .585 slugging percentage, and a 1.023 OPS over 146 games.

MLB.com - Rose recorded 69 walks and 69 strikeouts during his three years at Louisville.

MLB.com - Rose had 32 extra-base hits and 31 stolen bases in the previous season.

MLB.com - In the 2026 season, Rose played 36 games, achieving 20 extra-base hits and a .646 slugging percentage, along with 24 stolen bases.

Royals Review - Rose was named a second-team All-American by Perfect Game due to a .417 batting average and a 1.137 OPS.

WHERE:

MLB.com - Zion Rose played college baseball at the University of Louisville.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The 2026 MLB Draft took place on July 11 and July 12, 2026.

WHY:

MLB.com - The Royals selected Rose as a surprise pick, despite other highly ranked players still being available, indicating a strategic choice to potentially save money under the slot value of $7,746,100.

HOW:

MLB.com - Rabe is an outstanding strike-thrower, with one of the better fastballs in the class, along with a plus cutter and above-average slider.

MLB.com - Rose transitioned from a catching prospect to a full-time outfielder, showcasing his athleticism and speed, which contributed to his selection.

In a significant move, the Kansas City Royals have selected right-handed pitcher Taylor Rabe from Mississippi with the No. 30 pick in the draft. Rabe boasts an impressive fastball that averages 96 miles per hour and can reach up to 100 miles per hour, striking out 105 batters while allowing just 15 walks over 76 innings at Ole Miss, earning him a ranking of No. 40 overall by Pipeline. Known for his exceptional strike-throwing ability, Rabe combines his powerful fastball with a plus cutter and an above-average slider, making him one of the standout pitchers in this year's class.