Phillies (And Other Teams) Load Up on Local Talent in 2026 MLB Draft
I’m not talking about a stunning move for the Athletics from the plans of going to Las Vegas back to Philly.
And no, you didn’t miss the Phillies winning their third World Series in nearly 143 years of existence.
From the High School to Collegiate level — Philadelphia and its suburbs are once again on the map as a destination for baseball talent. Having the 2026 MLB Draft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center this weekend was yet another example of how.
In the third round, to be specific.
No. 92 Overall // OF Aiden Robbins (Holy Ghost Prep), New York Mets
With the 92nd selection overall, the New York Mets selected Aiden Robbins.
Robbins is from Yardley, attended the University of Texas, and took the Longhorns to a 5th-place national ranking in the 2026 NCAA Men’s College World Series. He attended Holy Ghost Preparatory School.
No. 97 Overall // P Ryan Lunch (Moorestown, NJ Native), San Diego Padres
In the same round , the San Diego Padres took RHP Ryan Lynch from the University of North Carolina.
Back in 2025, the Moorestown, New Jersey native started the Atlantic Conference Tournament Championship Game against the Tigers with a shutout performance. The result was the Tarheels’ twenty-seventh Conference Championship overall.
No. 505 Overall // Duke McCarron (Ocean City High School), Miami Marlins
Also drafted in the 17th round by the Miami Marlins was Duke McCarron out of Ocean City High School and St. Joseph’s University. McCarron won a Group 3 State Championship in 2021 while at Ocean City High School.
He also played at State College of Florida and the University of Maryland.
The Phillies got in on the local talent, too.
No. 128 Overall // P Deven Sheerin (Reading, PA; Exeter High School)
In the 4th Round (pick 128), the Phillies selected LSU’s Deven Sheerin. The 6-foot-5 and 255-pound RHP is a native of Reading and a graduate of Exeter High School.
He played one season at Mount St. Mary’s before transferring to LSU.
No. 309 Overall // INF Reece Moroney (Rumson-Fairhaven High School)
In the 10th Round , the Phillies selected Infielder Reece Moroney from the University of Rhode Island.
Rumson-Fairhaven High School won the sectional in baseball twice and a Championship in Soccer once.
No. 369 Overall // P Christian Coppola (Galloway, NJ; Rutgers University)
The Phillies then selected St. Joseph’s University pitcher Christian Coppola. Coppola — a Galloway, N.J. resident and graduate of Cedar Creek High School — was part of the 2023 National Collegiate Team. He also played for both the University of Arizona and Rutgers.
No. 579 Overall // C Braeden Lipoff (Gloucester Catholic)
And how about Gloucester Catholic Catcher Braeden Lipoff, who batted an incredible .459 average while helping to win a 4th State Championship by 2026?
He was also taken in the 19th round of the 2026 Draft by the Phillies.
As Philly continues to thrive this summer, from FIFA to history, regional baseball talent continues to make an impression on Major League Baseball.
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Categorized:College News Phillies