This list is a snapshot of where things stand right now, based on my own scouting (both in person and on film) and conversations I've had with NFL scouts and evaluators. These are not final -- some players will emerge over the next five months, while others will slide or perhaps not even end up in the draft at all. But this is where I see the Class of 2026 right now.
While the scouting reports are fully behind a paywall there are still some interesting tidbits for those without an account - including Baseball America's Best Tools update which has quite a few newly drafted Braves prospects. For example Conor Essenburg, the fifth round draft pick out of 2025, claims the Braves best power hitter, while Briggs McKenzie takes home best curveball, and best changeup. Not surprisingly, Alex Lodise took home best infield arm, and best defensive infielder.
Ranking NHL prospects is completely objective, as each scout may see something in a player that another doesn't. There's no exact science to it, but one thing is for sure. Nearly everyone sees something special in NY Islanders prospect Matthew Schaefer. Schaefer, the first overall pick by the NY Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft, has been ranked the top-drafted prospect in the league by Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff.
