columbiadailyherald
Columbia's Gunner Skelton, Jack Beck eyeing pro futures ahead of 2026 MLB Draft Two Columbia area high school baseball stars will be patiently waiting to hear their names called as the 2026 MLB Draft takes place in Philadelphia from July 11-13.
Columbia Academys Gunner Skelton, a Vanderbilt signee, and Columbia Centrals Jack Beck, a Georgia Southern signee, have each received Major League interest throughout the offseason as they weigh their collegiate futures against the chance to play professional baseball.
Both Skelton and Beck attended the MLB draft combine at Phoenixs Chase Field in late June, with goals of pushing themselves further up draft boards following standout TSSAA baseball seasons.
Its definitely awesome, Beck said of the process.
Its crazy.
I never thought Id be doing this.
Beck signed with Georgia Southern in January, but that hasnt stopped the interest from collegiate programs and MLB scouts as he put together a monster season at the plate for the Lions.
Beck was named the District 12-4A Player of the Year after hitting .413 with 32 RBIs, 10 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs and 25 stolen bases.
Since graduating, Becks summer has been largely spent on cross-country flights, traveling to meet with MLB organizations as he closes in on the dream of a pro career.
Getting drafted right now is the biggest (goal), Beck said.
Whatever it takes to play pro baseball.
Skelton, The Daily Heralds 2026 and 2024 Baseball Player of the Year, batted .380 with 40 RBIs, 15 doubles, 10 home runs and 27 stolen bases this past season, while on the mound he threw 96 strikeouts in 66 innings with a 0.74 ERA.
The shortstop committed to Vanderbilt in 2024 and later signed in November 2025, but throughout Skeltons senior season MLB scouts were a consistent presence.
Entering the draft, Skelton remains undecided on which path best sets him up for a future in the MLB, with Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin a proven developer of pro talent.
Its definitely (dependent) on where you get drafted, because its a life-changing decision, Skelton said.
But I also know I have a really good place to go in Vanderbilt where I can develop and maybe have a chance to get drafted even higher.
Ahead of the combine Skelton and Beck both played in the Appalachian League, a wood-bat collegiate league held over the summer, providing a final chance to showcase their on-field talents after countless meetings with MLB organizations helped assess their off-field fit.
Now with final meetings adjourned and anticipation for both players steadily growing ahead of draft weekend, both will rely on the years of work which helped push them toward a dream that could turn into reality.
It doesnt really matter where you go, Skelton said.
Theyre all going to be good, but you got to pick where you think youre going to develop the best and where youre going to fit in the next three to five years.
Thats what really matters.
Harrison Campbell covers high school sports and more for The Daily Herald.
Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.