The 2026 MLB Draft is complete! Let’s dive into the Tigers’ 5th-8th round picks. My observation of this round is that they have acquired some fun projects, and a bit of minor league depth!
Round 5, Pick 158: Declan Dahl
Draft Age: 21
School: Louisiana Tech
Position: RHP
Bat/Throw: R/R
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 200
Dahl began his collegiate career at Seminole State before transferring to Louisiana Tech in 2026. He ended his 2026 season with a 3.54 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 81.1 IP. He struck out 30% of batters he faced, and walked 6.7%.
Dahl works exclusively from the stretch — he moves into a controlled leg kick with medium arm action through the back. He employs a three-quarter arm-slot and lands on-line. It’s a fairly simple delivery that looks effortless and the arm looks fluid.
His arsenal is made up of a fastball that sits 92, but he can reach back for 95. It shows sinking action with some armside run. It does induce swing-and-miss (22% in-zone to be exact), but loses a couple MPH after a few innings pitched. His unique low release height helps out with deception and helps his fastball play up — hitters miss it 30% of the time in-zone. His breaking offering is a slider that sits 81. It has a tighter rotation with 11-5 action. His best pitch is his low 80s changeup. It has quite a bit of armside run with big fade at the end, and is a legitimate weapon. He uses it in just about any count against left-handed hitters. It has a 44% miss rate. As far as his command, it flashes fringe — he walks more batters than he strikes out in 3-2 counts.
Because of his lack of multiple plus or above-average pitches and the inability to maintain velocity, I do see him as a future reliever. However, the fastball-changeup combination could be a weapon with quality reps and professional development.
Summary of Grades (Present/Future):
Fastball – 45/50
Slider – 40/45
Change – 50/55
Command – 40/45
Control – 40/45
Overall – 40
Round 6, Pick 187: Maddox Molony
Draft Age: 21
School: Oregon
Position: SS
Bat/Throw: R/R
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 208
Molony spent his collegiate career at Oregon from 2024-2026 starting at shortstop every year. His bat started out above average, but he ended his 2026 season slashing .233/.343/.452 with a 10.5% walk rate and 15% strikeout rate after a bit of a rough spell in the Cape summer 2025.
He begins his swing in an upright, balanced stance. He uses a small leg kick load and stays in his legs well. The approach has always been solid — he rarely swings and misses in the zone, only 13% of the time along with a 21% overall miss rate. He hunts strikes. He is geared to pull, especially when it comes to over-the-fence power. He has put up exit velocities over 105 MPH in the past, though his 90th percentile EV sits at 101 MPH.
Molony flashes average run times, occasionally above. He shows good actions at shortstop, and he makes the routine plays look routine. His arm is plus with a quick release, and he certainly has a future to stick at shortstop.
His struggles in the Cape vs. the best competition and his Friday night average of .228, although he had a low K rate, make me question the hit tool and if he will touch it enough in pro ball in order to get to his power. Therefore, I do see him in an up/down emergency call-up role in the future. The defense drives the boat with him — plus defense at a premium position holds value in pro ball.
Summary of Grades (Present/Future):
Hit – 35/40
Power – 40/45
Run – 50/50
Field – 60/60
Arm – 60/60
Overall – 40
Round 7, Pick 216: Brady Ballinger
Draft Age: 21
School: Kansas
Position: 1B
Bat/Throw: L/L
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 225
Ballinger transferred to Kansas from JC of Southern Nevada in 2025 and had a monster first season in Kansas, slashing .353/.495/.670 with 16 home runs and 21 doubles. He followed that up with a bit of a rough stint in the Cape, slashing .236/.463/.400 in just 82 PA. His 2026 season at Kansas he was still above BIG 12 average in every category, however he only hit 7 home runs, less than half of what he hit in his 2025 season — walks were down and strikeouts were up as well.
His stance in the batter’s box is balanced and very upright. He holds his hands high and features a medium leg kick load into a handier, more upright swing. He seems to be swinging for the fences every time. The raw power is there — he’s had exit velocities 110+ MPH in his college career — with his 90th percentile EV sitting at 104. The question is will he touch it enough in pro ball to get to the raw power.
Defensively, he is below average and limited to first base, if not even DH in the future. He is a 30 runner, which is pretty much a non-factor, and his arm is well below average as well.
The power drives the boat for Ballinger’s profile, and is really his only standout tool. I see his ceiling as a minor league depth player.
Summary of Grades (Present/Future):
Hit – 35/40
Power – 40/45
Run – 30/30
Field – 40/40
Arm – 30/30
Overall – 35
Round 8, Pick 246: Robert Omidi
Draft Age: 18
School: St. Martin SS (Canada)
Position: 3B
Bat/Throw: L/R
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 200
Omidi is a Canadian high school player who played shortstop during his high school career, but was drafted as a third baseman. He has played in various showcases, from the East Coast Pro League to the Area Code games, most recently the Canadian Junior National team.
He has a shorter torso and long legs, and a boxy build. His swing employs a wider open stance with high hands, and a small leg kick into an upright swing. There are some swing-and-miss concerns with the bat. His gait appears heavy, and his arm flashes average. He is not necessarily quick in the dirt, so his actions may push him toward a corner infield or outfield role as he develops. Given the uncertainty surrounding the hit tool and defensive role, his projection is more in-line with an organizational depth position, though at his age he still has time to develop.
Due to limited data available on Omidi, this evaluation is based on showcase data and available video.
Summary of Grades (Present/Future):
Hit – 35/40
Power – 35/40
Run – 50/50
Field – 45/45
Arm – 50/50
Overall – 35
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