Draft League Weekly Preview: Opening Day

Before the first pitch of the 2026 season on Tuesday, June 2, former players were making waves at the MLB level.

Tyler Uberstine, a member of the inaugural season of the MLB Draft League, made his Major League debut on April 5 with the Boston Red Sox. The former Williamsport Crosscutter struck out two in 2 2/3 innings but took the loss in an 8-6 Red Sox defeat.

2021 State College Spike Nathan Church was one of six Draft League players to make his MLB debut in 2025 and followed that up by becoming the first alum to start an Opening Day, racking up three hits in a St. Louis Cardinals victory.

A total of 31 prospects were featured in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 team rankings during Spring Training. Additionally, 52 alumni were selected for the preliminary Spring Breakout rosters with 38 making the final cut and four more were signed to Minor League contracts.

Taking part in last year's Arizona Fall League, alumni including Stanley Tucker and Chen-Wei Lin discussed how their time in the Draft League prepared them for professional baseball.

The MLB Draft League has found success in the MLB Draft through its first five seasons with 233 players drafted and another 200+ signing as free agents for a total of more than 400 players placed in affiliated baseball.