From Iowa to the Pros: Six Players Taken in the 2026 MLB Draft

The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft was held July 11th through 12th. Six Iowa natives were selected, including two players from the University of Iowa baseball team. Here is a list of players headed to the pros!

Iowans Selected in the 2026 MLB Draft

Gable Mitchell - SS - University of Iowa/City High

The Des Moines Register reports that Mitchell, the grandson of Olympic Gold Medalist and Iowa wrestling legend Dan Gable, was the highest drafted Iowan, selected in the sixth round by the Toronto Blue Jays. This past season, Mitchell batted .360 with 5 home runs and 43 RBI.

Kaleb LaFavor - Pitcher - Bishop Heelan

LaFavor was the only Iowa player selected right out of high school according to the Register. He was selected in the 10th round by the Boston Red Sox. He currently has an ERA of 0.79 and a 3-1 record in six games played this season. In only 17.2 innings pitched, he has 40 strikeouts.

Caleb Klein - OF - Southwest Missouri State/Western Dubuque

Klein won a pair of Class 3A state titles at Western Dubuque before heading to Southwestern Community College. The Register reports that during his one season at Southwest Missouri State, Klein hit .316 with 8 home runs and 40 RBI. He was selected in the 15th round by the Atlanta Braves.

Nate Smithburg - Pitcher - Oklahoma/Fairfield

The Register reports that Smithburg spent two seasons at Indian Hills Community College before transferring to Oklahoma. He was selected in the 18th round by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Sam George - Pitcher - Minnesota State Manketo

George won a state title at Pleasant Valley and then put up solid numbers at Minnesota State Manketo. The Register reports he was selected in the 19th round by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Kooper Schulte - SS - University of Iowa/New London

The Register reports that Schulte won a state title with New London in 2022. After stops at two community colleges, he landed at Iowa. In two seasons with the Hawkeyes, Schulte hit .271 with 12 home runs and 64 RBI. He was drafted in the 20th round by the New York Mets.