Why Stanford-commit Archer Horn wasn't picked in MLB Draft despite ranking No. 54 on board
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Why Stanford-commit Archer Horn wasn't picked in MLB Draft despite ranking No. 54 on board originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The MLB Draft this year was 613 picks across 20 rounds (plus some compensatory slots).
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Archer Horn was ranked No. 54 on the MLB.com final big board.
Despite that, Horn wasn't drafted after a standout career at St. Ignatius High School in California.
It's huge news for the Stanford Cardinal, who have Horn committed to come play for them.
But simply in how the numbers work out, it's a bit of a shock that Horn went the whole draft without being chosen.
"At the plate, he shows off good bat speed and the ability to loft the baseball, providing some confidence that he’ll impact the ball with high exit velocities, especially as he adds strength," MLB.com wrote in its pre-draft blurb. "Though not everyone loves his pure hit tool, there could very well be more power to come in the future. Horn is an average runner but is a good athlete who has been his school’s point guard on the basketball court in the past. He’s 93-95 mph off the mound, and that arm really works from shortstop. Some see a move to third or second in the future given his lack of pure footspeed, but refinement and consistency on his angles and transfers could give him a chance to stick."
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Why wasn't Archer Horn drafted?
Horn wasn't drafted almost certainly due to his college commitment.
When players ranked this high don't come off the board, it's because they've made it clear to MLB teams that they plan on matriculating to campus and not immediately signing a professional contract.
The top undrafted prospect from 2026? That would be St. Ignatius shortstop Archer Horn. He's headed to Stanford. pic.twitter.com/nsREzG1Ikp
— Over-Slot Baseball (@OverSlot_) July 13, 2026
When a player is going to a strong program and school like Stanford, that opportunity can be tough to pass up.
If Horn goes about things the right way, he can be a high draft pick in three or four years anyway.
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