Emerson featured nationally in GameChanger
and MLB Network's The Prospect
Grady Emerson, a shortstop from Argyle, Texas, has been selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the second overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft. Emerson, who attended Fort Worth Christian School, is featured in Season 2 of The Prospect, a three-episode original docuseries from GameChanger and MLB Network.
Emerson entered the draft ranked No. 2 overall by MLB Pipeline, long viewed as one of the top prep players in the country. He slashed .532/.648/1.013 with seven home runs, 50 RBIs, and 31 steals as a senior, earning Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year honors. A standout on the international stage as well, Emerson is the first USA Baseball player to compete on multiple 15U and 18U National Teams.
Media is approved to pull clips from Episode 1 and Episode 2 of The Prospect, which follows Emerson and two other players through the pressure and performance of the MLB Draft Combine, now available on GameChanger's YouTube channel. GameChanger also posted a reaction video of Emerson after hearing his name called in the MLB Draft earlier today - https://www.instagram.com/p/DaqYCDCxklA/?hl=en (courtesy GameChanger).
The Prospect will close out with its third and final episode on July 24, capturing Draft Day and the family support that shaped Emerson's journey from a small town in Texas to the national stage.
"The Prospect captures everything that makes sports so powerful: the families, coaches, communities and defining moments that shape young athletes long before draft night," said Ken Strnad, GameChanger VP of brand partnerships and branded sports platforms. "We're proud to partner with Major League Baseball and MLB Network to bring these stories to fans and show the human side of the journey from high school baseball to the professional ranks."
Last year's debut season of The Prospect followed twin brothers JoJo and Jacob Parker of Purvis, Mississippi, whose path culminated in JoJo being selected No. 8 overall by the Toronto Blue Jays and Jacob going in the 19th round to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
