2026 DRAFT – FIRST ROUND – DEEP DIVE – TAKE A LISTEN
3. Motor City Muscle (Owner: Jim Craddock) Player: Payton Tolle (P, Boston Red Sox) Jim Craddock selects this imposing left-hander known for his unique delivery and high strikeout rates. Tolle’s fastball plays up significantly due to his extension, and his breaking ball is a legitimate weapon against both lefties and righties. Status: CARDED. ETA: Ready to contribute to the franchise immediately.
2026 FUTURES
Again this year, the Mid-West Baseball League is supporting MLB Pipelines Top 100 Prospects. Former MWBL owner of the Iron City Yinzers, Jonathan Mayo, along with his colleague Jim Callis, brings us the 2026 MWBL FUTURES.
Thanks, Jonathan & Jim, you guys do a great job at MLB.com, & the Mid-West Baseball League is once again proud to have called one of you our own.
The MWBL always has an eye toward the future & looks at which MWBL Franchises may have the brightest future ahead. The formula used for the “MWBL FUTURES” list is based on a 100-point system. The Top Prospect, according to Jonathan Mayo & Jim Callis of MLB.com, receives 100 points, the second-rated prospect receives 99 points, and this continues until the #100th prospect, who receives 1 point.
Each MWBL franchise will then have the points totaled for their prospects, which gives us an overall number and produces our “MWBL FUTURES” list. Here is the much-anticipated list for “MWBL FUTURES”.
MLB Pipeline team compiles the rankings using input from industry sources, including scouts, scouting directors, and other evaluators. The rankings are an aggregate analysis that considers players’ skill sets, upside, proximity to the Majors, and potential immediate impact on their team.
The list only includes players with rookie status in 2026, meaning players who debuted in ’25 (or earlier) but did not accumulate the service time (45 days on the active roster), at-bats (130), or innings pitched (50) to graduate are eligible again this year. First-year players who fall outside the international pool money rules laid out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement — those who are at least 23 years old and played in international leagues deemed professional — are not eligible. That excludes some older rookies debuting after careers in Japan, Korea, and Cuba.
MAX CLARK GOES #1 TO THE YUCAIPA ROAD RUNNERS
With the first pick in the 2026 Mid-West Baseball League Draft, the Yucaipa Road Runners select from the Detroit Tigers Organization – left-handed-hitting outfielder Max Clark. The Road Runners are banking on his elite, five-tool potential and high-octane athleticism to serve as the new face of their franchise.
Clark, the third overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, has solidified his status as one of the game’s premier prospects following a stellar 2025 campaign. After an offseason dedicated to adding lean muscle to his 6-foot-1 frame and refining his swing to tap into more consistent power, Clark evolved into a dominant force across multiple levels of the minors.
His 2025 season was a masterclass in consistency and progression. Ascending from High-A West Michigan to Double-A Erie, Clark posted a combined .271/.403/.432 slash line. Most notably, his burgeoning power was on full display as he launched 14 home runs while maintaining his trademark elite speed with 19 stolen bases.
Clark’s complete profile indicates a player capable of anchoring the top of a lineup for a decade. With his ability to impact the game with his legs, glove, and an increasingly dangerous bat, he is widely projected as a perennial 20/30 threat.
The Yucaipa Road Runners expect Clark to be a centerpiece of their 2026 campaign, with many scouts predicting he will make his MWBL debut on Opening Day 2026.
Scouting Profile:
Hit Tool: Advanced bat-to-ball skills with a disciplined approach; he famously posted more walks (94) than strikeouts (90) in 2025.
Speed: A true “plus-plus” runner, Clark routinely turns routine grounders into base hits and covers massive ground in the gaps.
Defense: A natural center fielder with Gold Glove upside, featuring a 70-grade arm that has been clocked at over 98 mph from the outfield.
Intangibles: Known as a “baseball rat,” Clark’s work ethic and leadership have drawn comparisons to some of the game’s most intense competitors.
Special Thanks to the voice-over on this video by former MWBL Owner Paul Roe!
GENERAL MANAGERS MEETINGS / SLACK CHECK IN 2026
Get Ready for the MWBL General Managers Meeting / Slack Check-In! ⚾️
Attention all Mid-West Baseball League General Managers! As we gear up for another exciting draft, we’re inviting all General Managers to join us for a fun and engaging Slack Chat Check-In. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, at 8:30 PM ET.
While attendance isn’t mandatory, it’s a valuable opportunity to connect with more than 20 General Managers from the MWBL. This is your chance to talk trades, share strategies, and get acclimated once again with our Slack Chat Program well before Draft Day. The Commissioner’s Office will be online from 8:15 PM ET. You’re welcome to join and leave at any time. These sessions typically last about an hour or two, providing ample time for some off-season wheeling and dealing.
We highly encourage community activity during this time, as it’s a precursor to our big event: MWBL Draft Day on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET. Ensuring everyone is comfortable with the chat room setup will help us avoid any hiccups on the main day.
So, come join the conversation, have some fun, and let’s make this Draft-Season one to remember! We look forward to seeing you there.
2026 MWBL TOP 100 RIGHT NOW
For the third year, the Mid-West Baseball League has put together our “MWBL TOP 100 RIGHT NOW” list.
Who are the 100 best players in MWBL right now? The MLB Network revealed its list through this year’s MLB’s Top 100 Players Right Now series, and the Mid-West Baseball League picked up on it and decided to make it “Futures Like”.
The formula for the “MWBL TOP 100 RIGHT NOW” list uses a 100-point system. The Top Rated Player, according to mlb.com receives 100 points, the second-rated player receives 99 points, and this continues until the #100th Rated Player, who receives 1 point.
Each MWBL franchise will then have the points totaled for their prospects, which gives us an overall number and produces our “MWBL TOP 100 RIGHT NOW” list. Here is the much-anticipated list for “MWBL TOP 100 RIGHT NOW”.