ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays selected shortstop Grady Emerson, MLB Pipeline’s top-ranked draft prospect, with the No. 1 overall pick Saturday, then doubled down on their high school development pipeline by taking four prep players among their first five selections on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft.

Amateur scouting director Chuck Ricci said the prep-heavy haul was not premeditated but reflected how the board fell — and the organization’s confidence in its player development system. “I think it’s the way the board fell,” Ricci said. “Of late, I think the four high school kids we took last year, we’re happy with. Obviously, Theo is going really well. I don’t think that really factors in, but I think as these players really perform, you realize there’s some upside. And you also have a lot of confidence in your player development, that they have the ability to tap into these guys and get the most out of them.”

After Emerson, Tampa Bay took infielder Taj Marchand of James Island, S.C., High School at No. 33, Liberty University right-hander Ben Blair at No. 49, Dana Hills, Calif., High School right-hander Gavin Giese at No. 85 and Houston, Tenn., High School outfielder/first baseman Collin Bland at No. 113. Blair was the lone college pick of the five. Ricci called the day “probably the most rewarding day I’ve had in scouting.”

Marchand, 17, hit .531 with only four strikeouts and 31 walks in 96 at-bats during his senior season. MLB Pipeline ranks him the No. 37 draft prospect. “I think he’s got the rare ingredients of (a) contact bat, bat speed and impact,” Ricci said. “A lot of amateur contact bats don’t impact the ball like Taj does. … We think he’s got every chance to be a quality infielder with a real chance to have a plus offensive package.”

Blair, a 6-foot-3 right-hander and former infielder who took up pitching late in high school, is ranked Pipeline’s No. 58 prospect. Ricci described him as having “really a power arsenal from a very unique slot. He’s got the ability to shape multiple breaking balls. Had a really good year. Extremely athletic. Very good mover on the mound that still has a lot of projection left to his body.”

Giese, also 6-foot-3 at 190 pounds, already throws a 93-94 mph fastball with high spin. His father, Dan, pitched parts of three seasons with the Giants, Yankees and A’s. “I really think this one has a chance to be an ideal fit with our player development system,” Ricci said. Bland, the No. 113 pick, is a 6-foot-2, 240-pound left-handed hitter who batted .432/.665/.811 as a senior. “He was hitting balls where not too many big leaguers go,” Ricci said after Bland worked out at Tropicana Field. “The most exciting part of it is I think he’s a hitter first with big power. Most of the guys that have this kind of power don’t have that hit tool.”

The Rays’ approach mirrors recent drafts: last year they used four of their first five picks on high schoolers, producing four players now ranked among Tampa Bay’s Top 30 Prospects — shortstop Daniel Pierce, infielder Cooper Flemming, second baseman/outfielder Dean Moss and first baseman Taitn Gray. Top prospect Theo Gillen, taken No. 9 overall two years ago out of high school, has continued to rise through the system.

In Miami, the Marlins landed local prep star Jacob Lombard with the No. 14 overall pick after he fell further than expected. Frankie Piliere, vice president of amateur forecasting and player evaluation initiatives, called it “a nice surprise” and said it was a “really awesome day, exciting Draft.” Miami followed with Oregon State left-hander Ethan Kleinschmit, Sam Houston right-hander Ryan Peterson, Arkansas shortstop Cam Kozeal and Georgia prep outfielder Wessley Roberson in the fourth round.

Day 2 of the draft, covering Rounds 5-20, is scheduled for Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.