The Colorado Rockies are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild, and for fans of the purple and black, the 2026 MLB Draft is shaping up to be the most important draft in recent memory. With new front office leaders Paul DePodesta, Josh Byrnes, and Tommy Tanous at the helm, every pick will tell us something about the direction of the franchise.
When DePodesta spoke to the media on Sunday, he made it clear that the draft is priority number one. "We've been heavily focused on the draft," he said. "The amateur season started back in mid-February, so our guys have been out there grinding. Josh has gone out and seen a lot of players. I don't think Chad McDonald's been home since Opening Day. Tommy is on the road every day seeing guys. We talk about it every day — not just the No. 10 pick, but later picks and guys we might be targeting."
One of the best ways to get a feel for what the Rockies are thinking is to look at early mock drafts. While these projections are far from set in stone — expect plenty of movement as the summer approaches — they offer a fascinating glimpse into the talent pool Colorado will be drawing from.
The 2026 MLB Draft is scheduled for July 11-12, 2026, as part of the All-Star Game festivities in Philadelphia. The Rockies will have a bonus pool of $15,557,600 and will draft first in every round after the first. Here's a look at some of the early names linked to the Rockies.
Drew Burress, CF, Georgia Tech (ESPN, Perfect Game)
Age at Draft: 21 | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 175 lbs | Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Burress has been a force for the Yellow Jackets, slashing .360/.478/.618 with a 1.096 OPS this season. He's never posted an OPS below 1.000 in his college career. A native of Houston County, Georgia, Burress has 53 career home runs, including nine this season — though his freshman year high of 25 remains his best. With a compact, powerful swing and a knack for getting on base, he's the kind of dynamic outfielder who could inject some life into a Rockies system that's hungry for impact bats.
For a team like the Rockies, who are building for the future, landing a player of Burress's caliber would be a major statement. Keep an eye on this name as the draft draws closer.