Matt Ponatoski, UC Bearcats among ESPN's top 250 MLB draft prospects

With the 2026 MLB Draft scheduled to take place July 11-12 in Philadelphia, several players of local interest are among the top 250 draft prospects as ranked by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.

“I’m starting to hear Slightom as a potential top 40 or top 50 pick,” MLB.com’s Jim Callis said July 7. “People know about him. He hasn’t been as hyped. He wasn’t a big showcase guy, he was a star quarterback in high school. But he’s a super athletic and projectable 6-foot-5 righty who keeps adding velocity, he’s up to 98 mph. … He crushed the interviews at the combine and I think he’s rocketing up charts.”

Natili batted .339 with a 1.098 OPS as a junior for the Bearcats, hitting 19 home runs with 65 RBI, 15 doubles and 50 runs scored. The Pennsylvania native played two seasons at UC after playing at Rutgers as a freshman.

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Ponatoski, a Moeller High School football and baseball standout who committed to play quarterback for the Kentucky Wildcats, said in June the MLB draft remains his first option.

Taylor set UC career records for wins and strikeouts after starring in high school at West Clermont and for the Midland Redskins.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Matt Ponatoski, UC Bearcats among ESPN’s top 250 MLB draft prospects