Pick 8.270 – RHP Landon Koenig – Ole Miss
Landon Koenig is a
6'6", 245-pound right-handed pitcher (RHP) from Page/Portland, North
Dakota (May-Port-CG High School).
As of 2026, he is a junior at Ole Miss (transfer from North
Dakota State) with two years of eligibility remaining. He is a tall,
projectable arm with significant upside and pro aspirations.
High School: Multi-sport athlete (also football/basketball)
and standout pitcher. He posted a 1.79 ERA with 168
strikeouts in 95.2 innings, earning two-time All-State honors.
NDSU (2024–2025): Started as a freshman (14 starts, 59.2 IP,
7.54 ERA, 41 K). Moved to the bullpen as a sophomore (19
appearances, 46.2 IP, 5.40 ERA,
46 K). He showed improvement in strikeouts and command.
Ole Miss (2026): Reliever in 17 appearances (22.2 IP, 3-1
record, 2 saves, 6.35 ERA,
33 K, 7 BB). He had strong outings, including scoreless multi-inning relief and
high-strikeout games. Ole Miss reached the College World Series that year.
Koenig transferred to Ole Miss in summer 2025 for better
development, SEC competition, and a path to the pros. He has a strong academic
record (3.9 GPA) and studies exercise science.
Pitching Style and Repertoire
Koenig’s large frame (now listed around 245 lbs) and
athleticism give him steep downhill plane and projection. Scouts and evaluators
highlight his size, easy velocity, and multi-pitch mix as key assets.
Key pitches (based on reports):
Fastball
(FB): Primary pitch. Sat 93-96 mph (touch 97) in his transfer portal video;
reached 95-97 mph in 2026 college action. Easy, high-velocity gas from his tall
frame with steep plane. Significant further velo projection due to size and
delivery.
Slider (SL):
84-87 mph. A key breaking ball for him.
Changeup
(CH) / Splitter-like (SP): 85-88 mph range (earlier reports); one note
mentioned an SP at 87 mph with low spin (~900 RPM), suggesting a splitter or
firm change with tumble.
He has described himself as having three pitches that allow
him to mix and potentially start (lineup turnover). High school/early college
reports also mentioned a curveball, but recent focus is on FB/SL/CH-SP. His
delivery is repeatable with good rhythm.
2026 Season Stats (Ole Miss relief): Strong K/BB (33 K vs. 7
BB in 22.2 IP), but hit hard at times (35 H, 4 HR, 6.35 ERA) in limited SEC sample.
Koenig is a high-upside relief pitcher (with starter
potential) who has steadily improved his strikeout rate and command while
adding strength/velocity. His size, plane, and arsenal make him an intriguing
2026 MLB Draft candidate or pro prospect. Continued development at Ole Miss,
especially if he earns starting reps, could boost his stock significantly. He
is noted for his work ethic and desire to reach the highest levels.
MACK – ANOTHER RELIEVER WITH A
HIGH ERA HISTORY
Rating: F
Pick 9.270 - C – Ryan Tayman –
Ryan Tayman is a standout
junior catcher (primarily) for the Cal Poly Mustangs baseball team in the Big
West Conference.
Born August 26, 2005, the 6-2, 210-pound right-handed hitter
and thrower is from Grover Beach, California, and a 2023 graduate of Arroyo
Grande High School.
Tayman played two seasons as a backup catcher/DH at the
University of California (Berkeley) before transferring to Cal Poly via the
portal:
2024 (Freshman, Cal): 21 games (16 starts), .254 AVG, 6 HR, 11 RBI.
2025 (Sophomore, Cal): 39 games (17 starts), .274 AVG, 5 HR, 16 RBI.
In his breakout 2026 season at Cal Poly, he became one of
the top catchers in college baseball:
Batted .357 (85 hits in
238 AB) with a .447 OBP, .672 SLG, 18 HR, 19
doubles, 57 RBI, and 53 runs in 63 games.
Set Cal Poly single-season records with 546 putouts and tied
the home run record (18). He also hit three grand slams (tying another program
mark).
Excelled defensively:
Threw out 17 baserunners, strong receiving with few passed balls.
Key awards and honors: Big West Co-Field Player of the Year,
NCBWA Division I All-American (3rd team), ABCA All-West Region (1st team),
Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Watch List, multiple Big West Field
Player of the Week honors, All-Big West First Team, and Cal Poly Male Athlete
of the Year.
He performed well in the postseason, helping Cal Poly share
the Big West regular-season title and advance in regionals (e.g., strong
showing in the Los Angeles Regional).
High School and Background
At Arroyo Grande HS, Tayman was a three-time letterwinner
and a top local prospect. As a senior in 2023, he hit .453
with 6 HR and 20 RBI in 28 games, earning San Luis Obispo County Player
of the Year, first-team Cal-Hi Sports All-State, and other all-league honors.
He played summer ball in leagues like the Northwoods League (All-Star with
Willmar Stingers).
Tayman was viewed as Cal Poly’s top 2026 MLB Draft prospect
(ranked around the top 250 by some outlets like D1Baseball). His combination of
power, contact, and defensive skills at catcher made him a notable name.
MACK – I checked 11 times. No injury history. This year’s
numbers were awesome, both offensively and defensively. Only downside would be
quality of competition. Still, I like this one.
Rating - B
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