2026 mock draft sends Orioles a bat fans will fall in love with

The future of the Baltimore Orioles might not be written in box scores this season, but it could be found in next year’s draft board. For a fanbase hungry for a spark, the latest 2026 MLB mock draft offers a glimpse at a bat with the kind of toolkit Orioles fans could fall in love with.

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter recently rolled out an early 2026 MLB mock draft, giving fans of struggling teams a glimpse into what the future could hold. Orioles fans will like what they see. Slotted to Baltimore: Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, a name that has really turned heads across college baseball.

2026 MLB mock draft has Orioles pegged for Georgia Tech star Drew Burress

At just 5’9, Burress doesn’t fit the mold of a towering corner slugger, but don’t let the size fool you, because his bat plays big. He burst onto the scene in 2024 as the best freshman in the country, slashing .381/.512/.821 with 25 home runs. The Cape Cod League exposed some growing pains (.125/.282/.219 in 78 plate appearances), but that’s the nature of summer ball against elite competition.

By his sophomore year, Burress looked like a future first-round lock again. He bounced back with a .333/.469/.693 line, 19 home runs, 62 RBIs, and perhaps most eye-catching, more walks than strikeouts. That level of plate discipline at a young age is rare; the kind of trait Orioles fans know their front office covets.

The defense is still a work in progress. Scouts have noted that Burress needs refinement in the field to avoid being a “bat-only” prospect. But even if his glove lags, the offensive toolkit is tailor-made for a developmental system like Baltimore’s. Think of how the Orioles have polished and maximized hitters like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jordan Westburg. Burress has the same profile: power, patience, and a relentless approach that forces pitchers into mistakes.

Orioles fans are still waiting for the team’s on-field product to catch up to the promise of its farm system. Adding a player like Drew Burress in 2026 would be another statement. A sign that Baltimore is still betting on bats that can change games and give the fanbase a reason to believe in the future.

The O’s may not be playing October baseball this year, but if Joel Reuter’s mock draft projection proves right, they could land another player with a high ceiling that fans could fall in love with.

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