With the 41st pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, the White Sox selected second baseman Cole Prosek, a standout player from Magnolia Heights High School in Mississippi.
Prosek, MLB Pipeline’s No. 27 Draft prospect, is one of the top high school bats in the 2026 Draft class. He proved that with a standout senior season, batting .595 and ranking second in the nation with an impressive 18 home runs in just 41 games to power his school to a state championship. He was named the Gatorade Mississippi Baseball Player of the Year, beating out some tough competition that included No. 6 Draft prospect Eric Booth Jr.
2026 MLB DRAFT PRESENTED BY NIPPON EXPRESS
Day 2: Sunday, July 12 (Rounds 5-20)
• 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. ET (MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+)
Coverage
Prosek likely profiles as a third baseman in the pros, but he saw time behind the plate as a senior and performed well enough that he could try his hand at catcher at the next level, although it could add to his development time and limit his offensive ceiling. He even has the ability to pitch, reaching 93 mph and striking out 67 in 57 2/3 innings with a 3.16 ERA as a senior, but he is expected to focus on hitting in pro ball.
And Prosek sure can hit. If his high school batting average wasn’t enough evidence, Prosek’s hit tool received a plus grade of 60 on the 20-80 scale from MLB Pipeline, his top attribute. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect tends to be on time with a quick and compact left-handed swing, allowing him to barrel the ball at a consistent clip.
Although Prosek has been known to chase some pitches and can rely too much on pulling the ball, he has the bat speed and strength to be a plus hitter with at least average power.
Prosek could be the second Magnolia Heights player to reach the Major Leagues, joining MLB Pipeline No. 56 overall prospect Cooper Pratt, who made his debut for the Brewers on June 16.