The Twins just landed one of the most polished bats in this draft class. And they didn’t have to overthink it.
Minnesota grabbed Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the third overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday afternoon. The selection was announced live on MLB’s social channels, and it didn’t take long for the baseball world to react.
Lackey is a name scouts have been buzzing about for two years. He’s got a compact swing that generates surprising power to all fields, and behind the plate he’s got the kind of arm that makes base stealers think twice. Georgia Tech’s pitching staff had one of the lowest opponent stolen base totals in the ACC this season, and Lackey’s quick pop time was a big reason why.
What makes this pick interesting is that the Twins already have some catching depth in their system. But general manager Derek Falvey has never been shy about taking the best player available, especially when that player is a backstop with an above-average hit tool and the frame to stick at the position long-term.
What Lackey brings to the Twins
Lackey hit .329 with 17 home runs and a .940 OPS in his junior season at Georgia Tech. His walk rate was solid at 11.5 percent, and he cut his strikeout rate down to 15.2 percent — a big improvement from his sophomore year. That kind of plate discipline, paired with raw power, is why evaluators had him as a top-five prospect in this class.
Defensively, the scouting reports are mixed but trending positive. He moves well for a big catcher and has soft hands receiving. There’s some work to do on framing and blocking consistency, but the athleticism is there. The Twins believe their player development staff can smooth out the rough edges.
One AL scout told us earlier this week that Lackey’s makeup is what sets him apart. He’s the guy who shows up early, stays late, and studies video like a coach. Teammates gravitate toward him. That kind of leadership from a catcher is rare in college baseball, and it often translates well to the pro game.
Where this fits in Minnesota’s big-picture plan
The Twins haven’t drafted a catcher this high since they took Ryan Jeffers out of UNC Wilmington in 2018. Jeffers has been a solid big leaguer, but Lackey projects as more of an everyday impact player. The organization has a history of developing college bats quickly. Royce Lewis, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner all moved through the system in a hurry.
Lackey could follow a similar path. He might start at Low-A Fort Myers this summer, but if he hits like he did in the ACC, don’t be surprised to see him in Double-A by this time next year.
The Twins are banking on that college polish translating fast. With a depleted farm system after several trade deadline moves and some prospects graduating to the big leagues, drafting a high-floor, high-ceiling catcher makes a lot of sense. It’s a pick that feels safe on paper but has the potential to be a steal if Lackey reaches his ceiling.
One thing is for sure: the Gophers will not be seeing Lackey on the field anytime soon. That’s bad news for the local college teams. Good news for Twins fans who’ve been waiting for a catcher who can do it all.
The Twins have not yet confirmed which affiliate Lackey will report to, but the expectation is he’ll sign quickly and get started in the Florida Complex League before a promotion later this summer.
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