UC santa Barbara’s Jackson Flora Emerges as Top MLB Prospect for 2026 draft
Santa Barbara, CA – UC Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora is rapidly gaining attention as a potential top-five pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft. The right-handed pitcher’s remarkable performance throughout the 2025 season, coupled with a strong lineage of high-drafted Gauchos pitchers, positions him as a key player to watch as the collegiate baseball season approaches.
Flora’s ascent comes as no surprise given UC Santa Barbara’s history of developing MLB talent. The programme recently saw Tyler Bremner selected second overall by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2025 MLB Draft, and in 2015, Dillon Tate was chosen fourth overall by the Texas Rangers. Flora now aims to continue this tradition, potentially becoming the next UC santa barbara pitcher to hear his name called early in the draft. Scouts are especially impressed with his pitching mechanics and velocity, drawing comparisons to recent accomplished alumni.
during the 2025 season, flora’s contributions helped lead the Gauchos to a 36-18 overall record, including a 16-14 mark in Big West Conference play.while UC Santa barbara narrowly missed an NCAA Tournament berth after appearing in 2024, Flora’s development remains a focal point for the program’s future success.
Flora is currently ranked among the top pitchers eligible for the 2026 draft, alongside players like Cam Flukey (No. 9) and Florida’s Liam Peterson (No.13).As the 2026 MLB Draft approaches, Flora’s performance will be closely monitored by scouts and analysts, with the potential to solidify his position as one of the premier pitching prospects in the nation.
PHOTO: UC Santa barbara pitcher Jackson Flora (28) during an NCAA regional baseball game on Friday, May 31, 2024 in Santa Barbara, Calif. (AP photo/John McCoy)
