This MLB draft prospect is enjoying his senior season (video)
Brody Bumila of Bishop Feehan baseball partakes in a Q&A on April 23, 2026.
The Atlanta Braves selected Vermont’s Kaiden McCarthy in the second round with the 48th pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft on Saturday, July 11.
McCarthy becomes the highest ever Vermonter to be picked in the summer MLB Draft. He also became the first high schooler from New England to be selected in the 2026 MLB Draft.
The Chester, Vermont native compiled a 3-0 record with a 0.72 ERA and 42 strikeouts while helping Vermont Academy (15-6) earn a berth in the Lake Region championship game. He also batted .333 at the plate with one homer and eight RBIs. McCarthy is a two-time Lake Region Pitcher of the Year.
McCarthy earned the 2026 Gatorade award as Vermont’s top baseball player and garnered strong praise from baseball scouts around the country despite being undersized at 6-foot, 190 pounds.
The 17-year-old reclassified to be eligible for the 2026 MLB Draft and previously committed to the University of Tennessee. After finishing up his high school career, he appeared in two Vermont Lake Monster games in June.
“From what I saw, he has a very, very high ceiling and I’m excited for him,” Lake Monsters manager Matt Fincher said.
McCarthy is one three high school prospects featured in Season 2 “The Prospect,” a three-episode original docuseries from GameChanger and MLB Network. McCarthy’s parents, Matt and Shanna, and Vermont Academy baseball coach Russ Williams were also interviewed for the series. The first two episodes can be found on GameChanger’s YouTube page.
Baseball America scouting contributor Jason Pennini had this to say about McCarthy after watching him at the MLB Draft Combine in Arizona:
Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
