The highest-ranked Italian American prospect on MLB Pipeline entering the next draft cycle is Rocco Maniscalco, a shortstop at Oxford High School in Alabama. Maniscalco has rapidly ascended draft boards after reclassifying from the 2027 class and now projects as a potential first-round selection in 2026.
MLB.com draft analyst Jim Callis currently has Maniscalco slotted 22nd overall to the Detroit Tigers in his latest mock draft. Callis has noted similarities between Maniscalco and Eli Willits, the reclassified prep shortstop who went No. 1 overall in 2025, citing Maniscalco’s advanced feel for hitting and projection, while acknowledging slightly less speed but more power potential.
Maniscalco is ranked as the No. 4 prep shortstop on MLB Pipeline’s draft board and is the top-ranked high school player in the state of Alabama regardless of position. Prep Baseball Report projects him to the New York Yankees with the 35th overall pick, underscoring the broad industry belief that he will come off the board early.
According to MLB.com, scouts first began circling Maniscalco’s name while attending Oxford games to see Carter Johnson, a 2024 second-round pick of the Miami Marlins. Even then, Maniscalco stood out. A switch-hitter with a noticeably more advanced left-handed swing, he shows strong strike-zone awareness and a polished approach uncommon for his age. Evaluators project average or better power as he continues to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame.
Defensively, Maniscalco is viewed as a true shortstop. He features smooth actions, strong instincts, and an arm that profiles as plus at the position. The Mississippi State recruit is the son of former Rays minor leaguer Matt Maniscalco, a background that scouts believe has contributed to his high baseball IQ.
Maniscalco also impressed on the international stage in 2024 with Team USA’s U-15 squad, serving as the everyday third baseman while hitting .375 with nine RBIs and a five-game hitting streak. His performance included a three-run home run at Clemson and multiple multi-RBI efforts, further validating his standing as one of the country’s elite prep talents.
Another Italian American prospect inside the MLB Pipeline Top 100 is Andrew Costello, a catcher from Cathedral Prep in Erie, Pennsylvania. High school catchers, particularly right-handed hitters, are often viewed as one of the riskiest draft profiles, but Costello has done little to discourage evaluators.
Over the summer showcase circuit, Costello emerged as one of the most reliable prep bats in the class. He played a key role for Team USA’s gold medal-winning squad at the WBSC U-18 World Cup in Japan, hitting .462 with a .995 OPS and five RBIs in six games. His performance included timely hits against Panama, Germany, Australia, and Puerto Rico.
Scouts praise Costello for his advanced offensive approach, highlighted by exceptional strike-zone awareness, limited swing-and-miss, and consistent hard contact. While primarily a line-drive hitter at present, evaluators believe he could grow into 18–20 home run power as he matures physically.
Though short and stocky, Costello runs well for a catcher and has made significant strides defensively after limited catching experience earlier in his amateur career. There has been discussion of him finishing high school early and enrolling at Wake Forest in January, where he would join his older brother, Luke, potentially accelerating his development behind the plate.
At No. 89 on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 is Jason DeCaro, a right-handed pitcher at the University of North Carolina with Long Island roots. DeCaro was reclassified from the 2024 draft to 2023 while still in high school, allowing him to begin his college career at 17.
DeCaro has since become a mainstay in the Tar Heels’ rotation, posting a 9–3 record and a 3.78 ERA in 16 starts last season while earning All-ACC Second Team honors for the second straight year. He threw 83.1 innings with 70 strikeouts against just 26 walks, helping anchor a pitching staff that finished with the best ERA in the ACC and the third-best nationally.
While scouts have some reservations about the ceiling of his stuff – his fastball generally sits in the low-to-mid 90s and his secondary pitches grade as average – DeCaro continues to earn praise for his feel for pitching, sequencing, and strike-throwing ability. His changeup, in particular, has proven effective at generating weak contact.
Despite questions about long-term projection, DeCaro’s durability, poise, and youth make him an intriguing high-floor option. He has been selected to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team for the second consecutive summer, further cementing his standing as one of the more polished arms in college baseball.
Rounding out the Italian American presence on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 is Dominic Santarelli, a first baseman from St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Wisconsin, ranked No. 99. Santarelli emerged as one of the premier power hitters in the 2026 high school class, leading Wisconsin prep players with 11 home runs in 31 games while also drawing 44 walks.
Santarelli led St. Joseph to the Division III state championship and carried that success into the showcase circuit, earning MVP honors at both the MLB High School All-American Game and the Under Armour Next All-America Game. His performance included a 109.8 mph RBI single at the All-American Game, where he was named 2025 MLB Develops MVP.
At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Santarelli generates plus-plus raw power with a compact left-handed swing capable of driving the ball to all fields. While scouts note streakiness and ongoing work with pitch recognition, his offensive ceiling has drawn comparisons to a more athletic version of Kyle Schwarber.
Defensively, Santarelli remains a work in progress at first base. However, his athleticism and work ethic have evaluators confident he can improve, with some suggesting a possible future in left field. He is committed to LSU, adding another layer of intrigue to his draft decision.
As the 2026 MLB Draft cycle unfolds, the presence of Maniscalco, Costello, DeCaro, and Santarelli on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 reinforces a broader pattern seen across recent drafts. Italian American players continue to make meaningful impacts at the high school, college, and international levels, positioning themselves as legitimate early-round talents.
With months still to go before names are officially called, one thing is already clear: Italian Americans will once again play a significant role in shaping the next generation of Major League Baseball.
–By Chris R. Vaccaro
