PHOENIX – The MLB Draft Combine is more than a preview of the game’s next stars. It also serves as a reflection, bridging the future to the past.
“I think anybody that played at a higher level knows it all started at something like this,” former No. 2 overall draft pick and MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds said.
Reynolds received back-to-back All-Star nominations in 1987 and 1988, over 30 years before the inaugural MLB Draft Combine in 2021. The evolution of the event is a testament to how far baseball has come.
“I think the thing with an older player like myself, you’re envious,” he said. “You’re like, ‘Man, I wish I could’ve had something like this.’”
Now in its fourth consecutive year at the Diamondbacks’ home ballpark, Chase Field, the MLB Draft Combine offers prospects the opportunity to learn from legends. MLB Network’s coverage of the event puts former big leaguers close to the action, allowing players to receive guidance between drills.
“The main focus I could tell kids, don’t try to be something you’re not,” six-time All-Star Kenny Lofton said. “When you go out of your element, you play out of your element and you don’t want to do that.”
Drafted out of the University of Arizona, Lofton returned to the desert to help outfield prospects during the fielding portion of their workouts on Tuesday. Few better mentors exist than a four-time Gold Glove winner, especially one with Lofton’s background.
He originally committed to Arizona for basketball and was part of the program’s 1988 Final Four run. That same season, his junior year, was his first playing baseball at the school. Lofton only recorded one official at-bat for the Wildcats, but his potential was clear to minor league scouts.
“I had the talent, but you’ve just got to put it together,” he said.
After his four years at Arizona, Lofton made the full-time transition to baseball. The decision came with many early difficulties, but 622 MLB stolen bases later, it’s safe to say his choice paid off. Switching sports also taught Lofton an important lesson.
“We’re all gonna fail.”
One he wants to pass on to the next generation.
“Don’t worry about failure at this point, you gotta worry about trying to get better,” Lofton said. “You learn from your mistakes, and I think a lot of kids don’t want to do that.”
Reynolds agrees with the lesson.
“Just let it fly, and not worry about mistakes, and let ‘em see your talent and have fun,” he said.
2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell is also one of MLB Network’s analysts, and spent most of his time Tuesday assisting future prospects around the batting cages. A four-time All-Star, Lowell offered similar advice on how players can make the most of their opportunities.
“I think it’s normal human nature to be a little nervous, you want to showcase your skills,” he said. “Try to lower that heart rate a little bit, and just let your talent and your skillset take over.”
Lowell was honest about how he compared to today’s prospects.
“Not at all,” he said. “I don’t think I matched up physically with these kids. For being 18 to 21 years old, they’re pretty put together.”
Players are not only well put together, but well prepared. Last year, 82.8% of combine participants were eventually selected in the MLB Draft, including 87 of the top 100 picks. That number could increase this year.
“Kids nowadays, they have the resources to understand what they need to do to get to the big leagues a lot younger, a lot earlier, which they’ve used to their advantage,” Lowell said.
He encouraged them to continue that tenacity at the combine.
“I think the whole process of playing in front of people, trying to prove your worth and then seeing how that translates into a full season, it’s an exciting time for all these young men and they should take advantage of it,” Lowell said.
Reynolds is equally enthusiastic for this year’s participants.
“It’s really cool, I’m excited for the kids to have the opportunity to get in front of all these people and all the scouts that are here at a combine,” he said.
The 2026 MLB Draft takes place in Philadelphia July 11-12, with Chandler Hamilton High School alumnus and UCLA product Roch Cholowsky expected to be one of the first players selected. Although he did not participate in this year’s on-field workouts, he was busy interviewing with teams at the top of the draft board.
Cholowsky is ready to see his dream come true.
“Everyone wants to be the No. 1 overall pick,” he said. “I’ve done everything that I can to put myself in the best position, it’s out of my hands, but whoever takes me, I’m excited to be there.”
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