Orioles projected to select Coastal Carolina's ace in 2026 MLB Draft

The first round of the 2026 MLB Draft order was set back in December, with the Chicago White Sox getting the first overall pick. They are followed by the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins to round out the top three. 

The Baltimore Orioles will be drafting seventh overall. The last time they drafted in this spot during the first round, you would have to go all the way back to the 2003 season when they took Nick Markakis. 

While Baltimore won't get the opportunity to grab one of the best high school or college pitchers or position players, there will be loads of elite talent for them to choose from. 

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Orioles projected to select Coastal Carolina's ace in 2026 MLB Draft

Last year, the Oriles had the 19th overall pick. With it, they took Ike Irish, a catcher from Auburn University. Outside of Jackson Holliday, the front office has seemed to gravitate toward college athletes lately. 

That could be the case again this summer as Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter projects Baltimore to draft Coastal Carolina's RHP Cameron Flukey. 

"Flukey more than held his own against a stacked LSU lineup in Game 1 of the 2025 College World Series finals, capping off a sophomore season where he posted a 3.19 ERA with 118 strikeouts in 101.2 innings. He is currently sidelined with a stress reaction in his rib cage, but there is plenty of time for him to get healthy and solidify his standing as one of the top-tier arms in this class."

The one concern about Flukey is that he is currently sidelined with a stress reaction in his ribs. However, when healthy, it's no fluke that he is one of the top pitchers in all of college baseball. 

He will look to return as soon as possible and continue to dominate, much like he did last season.

More MLB news:

• Royals linked to Mississippi State slugger as a potential first-round pick
• Rays projected to take Alabama standout with second pick in 2026 MLB Draft
• It's becoming more and more clear who the White Sox will draft first overall
• Twins linked to the top high school draft prospect with third overall pick
• Giants projected to take UC Santa Barbara's ace in the 2026 MLB Draft