Inbox: MLB Draft questions abound

We at MLB Pipeline would like to issue a public health warning: Draft fever is spreading.

It’s true. Now that the Minor League season is full swing, we’re keeping our eyes on the Minors … and the 2026 Draft class. We are now working feverishly (intended) on our new Draft Top 150 coming out at the end of April, while also tracking how the top prospects in pro ball are doing. This week’s Inbox reflects that, with a mix of Draft-related questions and queries about Minor Leaguers.

We answered this one in this week's MLB Pipeline Podcast, so check that out. I'll summarize here: Jim Callis picked Texas outfielder Aidan Robbins, who can hit and is showing more power this year, all in the super-competitive SEC (.341/.413/.659 with 11 homers in 32 games for the season). I went with Massachusetts prep lefty Brody Bumila, who is massive (6-foot-8) with a fastball that hits triple digits.

When we did our Top 100 list back in December, we did indeed have Flukey at No. 9 overall ahead of Flora, who came in at No. 14. Flukey made just one start before getting shut down because of a rib injury. The fact it wasn't arm-related certainly helps, and it sounds like the Coastal Carolina right-hander will be back soon, so this question might be answered more with performance than "what-ifs." So it’s not out of the question that Flukey could pitch his way close to the top of the first round, and even go ahead of Flora.

But it's unlikely, mostly because of how good Flora has been. The Santa Barbara righty has established himself as the best college arm in the class. Over eight starts, he has a miniscule 0.69 ERA, a 0.78 WHIP, .144 batting average against and an impressive 11.2 K/9 rate while allowing just 2.6 walks per nine. Flukey could come back and dominate, and all it takes is one team to prefer him up top. But if Flora continues to post every week like he has, it’s hard to imagine he won’t be the first college arm off the board in July.

I have many thoughts about the Rays' No. 10 prospect, and it started with my visit to Rays camp this spring. There are few members of the Tampa Bay front office who won't bring up the young Canadian catcher without being prompted. The Rays' third-round pick in 2024 didn't put up huge surface numbers during his first full season of pro ball, but there were a lot of things to like beyond that. The club loved his professional approach at the plate, seeing pitches and drawing walks, along with the great strides he took behind the dish defensively.

Rays assistant general manager Kevin Ibach told me: "He's a guy this year I think more people will know about him as he progresses through the system."

Flewelling is in High-A, playing all year at age 19, and the start to his year is proving Ibach prophetic. In five games, the left-handed-hitting backstop is hitting .429 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs. Keep an eye on him, as he could be a prime candidate to join our Top 10 Catchers list as the season progresses.

Which rookie who has done well so far this year do you believe will keep up their pace for the year? – Stevie D.

We're only about a dozen or so games in, so it's somewhat irresponsible to draw any conclusions based on such a small sample size. But for Stevie D. -- who got locked out of X because he got hacked, but is so committed to providing good Inbox questions that he DM'ed me on Instagram -- I had to answer.

I won't make predictions that anyone will put up the same exact numbers as they have thus far, but anyone who knows me knows that I’ve long been talking up my belief in Sal Stewart's ability to hit. He's a legit Rookie of the Year candidate. So maybe he doesn’t hit .364 with a 1.200 OPS all year, but he’s going to put up numbers for sure.

I'm channeling Mr. Callis a little by saying this, but as long as Chase DeLauter stays healthy, I think he’s going to put up power numbers, though he’ll likely fall shy of the 65-homer pace he’s on so far. I feel good about Owen Caissie and Justin Crawford to keep doing what they're doing. Several pitchers are off to solid starts, and I can see Nolan McLean's stuff playing all year. I also think Rhett Lowder will get better as the year goes on. Parker Messick won’t be that dominant, but he can pitch and I think Bubba Chandler will continue to be tough to hit, and will improve even more as he figures out his command issues.