{"id":21213,"date":"2026-07-14T15:04:35","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T19:04:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/traverse-city-pit-spitters\/?p=21213"},"modified":"2026-07-14T15:04:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T19:04:35","slug":"pit-spitters-2026-mlb-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/traverse-city-pit-spitters\/2026\/07\/14\/pit-spitters-2026-mlb-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Pit Spitters Selected in 2026 MLB Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n

Seven Pit Spitters Selected in 2026 MLB Draft, Setting Franchise Record<\/h1>\n

Traverse City, MI \u2013 July 14, 2026<\/strong> \u2013 The Traverse City Pit Spitters reached multiple franchise milestones during the 2026 MLB Draft, as seven current and former players were selected\u2014the most in a single draft in team history.<\/p>\n

Four additional alumni agreed to undrafted free-agent deals, giving 11 Pit Spitters opportunities with nine Major League organizations.<\/p>\n

The historic class was headlined by Vahn Lackey, a catcher for Traverse City in 2024, who became the highest-drafted player in franchise history when the Minnesota Twins selected him third overall. The Georgia Tech junior won the 2026 Johnny Bench Award as the nation\u2019s top Division I catcher after batting .397 with 20 home runs, 78 RBIs and a 1.291 OPS.<\/p>\n

The third overall selection carries a slot value of $9,740,100. Lackey also became the first catcher selected by Minnesota in the first round since Hall of Famer and 15-year Major Leaguer Joe Mauer in 2001.<\/p>\n

Later in the first round, the Colorado Rockies selected another former Traverse City catcher, Daniel Jackson, with the 37th overall pick in Competitive Balance Round A.<\/p>\n

The selection marked the first time two former Pit Spitters were taken in the first round of the same draft.<\/p>\n

Jackson, who played alongside Lackey in Traverse City during the 2024 summer, completed one of the most decorated seasons in college baseball history at Georgia. He won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation\u2019s top amateur player and became the first catcher in NCAA Division I history to record at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases in the same season.<\/p>\n

Infielder Aaron Piasecki became the third former Pit Spitter selected, going to the Houston Astros in the eighth round with the 241st overall pick.<\/p>\n

Piasecki played for Traverse City in 2024 and 2025, finishing his Northwoods League career with a league-record .367 batting average. In 2025, he established Pit Spitters single-season records with a .406 average and 84 hits. The Muskegon, Michigan, native followed by batting .337 during his senior season at Troy, earning All-Sun Belt recognition and helping the Trojans reach the Men\u2019s College World Series for the first time in program history.<\/p>\n

A current member of the Pit Spitters was also selected, as catcher Dalton Harper went to the Atlanta Braves in the 16th round with the 472nd overall pick.<\/p>\n

Harper appeared in four games for Traverse City before the draft, recording an RBI double in a July 10 victory over Kalamazoo. He joined the Pit Spitters after being named the 2026 NJCAA Division III Player of the Year and helping SUNY Niagara capture the first national championship in program history.<\/p>\n

The 2024 Pit Spitters led the way with five players represented in the professional class. Three members of the 2023 team and two from 2025 were also included, along with one player each from the 2022 and 2026 rosters. Piasecki is represented in both the 2024 and 2025 groups.<\/p>\n

The 11 players represent nine MLB organizations, with the Braves and Athletics each adding two. Nine colleges are represented, led by three players from Georgia Tech. The group includes four catchers, four pitchers\u2014three right-handers and one left-hander\u2014two infielders and one outfielder.<\/p>\n

2026 Pit Spitters Professional Class<\/p>\n

C Vahn Lackey (2024) \u2014 Georgia Tech \u2014 Round 1, Pick 3 \u2014 Minnesota Twins
\nC Daniel Jackson (2024) \u2014 Georgia \u2014 Round 1, Pick 37 \u2014 Colorado Rockies
\nIF Aaron Piasecki (2024\u201325) \u2014 Troy \u2014 Round 8, Pick 241 \u2014 Houston Astros
\nOF Parker Brosius (2023) \u2014 Georgia Tech \u2014 Round 9, Pick 262 \u2014 Atlanta Braves
\nRHP Dominic Mauro (2024) \u2014 Cincinnati \u2014 Round 10, Pick 291 \u2014 Athletics
\nLHP Santiago Garcia (2024) \u2014 LSU \u2014 Round 12, Pick 372 \u2014 Toronto Blue Jays
\nC Dalton Harper (2026) \u2014 SUNY Niagara \u2014 Round 16, Pick 472 \u2014 Atlanta Braves
\nC\/1B Tyler Minnick (2023) \u2014 Middle Tennessee \u2014 Undrafted free agent \u2014 Philadelphia Phillies
\nRHP Mason Patel (2022) \u2014 Georgia Tech \u2014 Undrafted free agent \u2014 Athletics
\nRHP Ciaran Caughey (2025) \u2014 Kent State \u2014 Undrafted free agent \u2014 Washington Nationals
\nIF Dylan Carey (2023) \u2014 Nebraska \u2014 Undrafted free agent \u2014 New York Mets<\/p>\n

As of July 13, six former Pit Spitters have reached the Major Leagues: Luke Little, Spencer Schwellenbach, Chad Patrick, Andrew Hoffmann, Jakob Marsee and Tommy Troy.<\/p>\n

With a franchise-record seven draft picks and four additional free-agent opportunities, the 2026 class further strengthens Traverse City\u2019s growing pipeline from the Cherry Capital to professional baseball<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

About the Traverse City Pit Spitters:<\/strong> The Traverse City Pit Spitters have been members of the Northwoods League since their inaugural season in 2019. The Pit Spitters have won two Northwoods League Championships and delivered their unique brand of FUN to hundreds of thousands of fans. The Pit Spitters share Managing Partners and principal ownership with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, based in Comstock Park, Michigan. The team\u2019s home games are played in Traverse City\u2019s favorite multi-purpose outdoor entertainment venue, Turtle Creek Stadium. For more information visit https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/traverse-city-pit-spitters\/<\/a> or contact Jacqueline Holm at 231-943-0100 Ext. 214\/ or by email at JacquelineH@pitspitters.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Pit Spitters Are Cashless:<\/b> Beginning in 2025, Turtle Creek Stadium transitioned to a fully cashless operation to enhance fan safety, streamline transactions, and improve efficiency. All purchases, including tickets, concessions, and merchandise, will require contactless payments. Fans needing to convert cash can do so at designated locations. This move ensures a smoother, more convenient game-day experience for all.<\/p>\n

About the Northwoods League:<\/strong> The Traverse City Pit Spitters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 340 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019\/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). Northwoods League games are viewable live on FloSports.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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