The latest Texas prep superstar just became Tampa Bay's highest draft pick since 2008

Developing elite baseball talent has become commonplace in the state of Texas, and that tradition continued on Saturday when shortstop Grady Emerson was selected No. 2 overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 MLB Draft.

The Fort Worth Christian (North Richland Hills, TX) product will forgo his commitment to the University of Texas after becoming the highest-drafted Texas high school player since 2019, when Bobby Witt Jr. from Colleyville Heritage H.S. (Colleyville, TX) was also selected No. 2 overall. David Clyde, drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1973 out of Westchester H.S. (Houston, TX), remains the only Texas high school player ever picked first overall. The Rays' selection of Emerson also extended the Lone Star State’s streak of producing at least one first-round high school draft pick to 18 consecutive MLB Drafts, dating back to 2008.

Emerson started his high school career at Argyle H.S. before transferring to Fort Worth Christian ahead of his senior season. He then put together one of the most dominant seasons in the country in 2026, posting a .532/.648/1.013 slash line with 7 home runs, 50 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 28 regular-season games. He earned Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year honors and became just the second high school player ever to be named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, joining Witt Jr.

MLB Pipeline’s scouting report on Emerson notes that the 18-year-old “generates impressive exit velocities” and “stacks up quality at-bats [by] making good swing decisions and barreling balls to all fields.” On the defensive side, he has “a strong arm, quick hands, [and] sound fundamentals,” giving scouts confidence that he can remain at shortstop as he begins his professional career.