The 2026 Major League Baseball amateur player draft kicked off with a bang on Saturday, as UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky went first overall to the Chicago White Sox. But the real story of the weekend was the arrival of two baseball legacies: the nephew of Barry Bonds and the son of Jim Thome.
Peyton Bonds, a Rutgers outfielder and the nephew of the all-time home run leader, heard his name called by the San Francisco Giants in the third round with the 90th overall pick. It's a full-circle moment for the Bonds family: Barry Bonds built his legendary career in the same orange and black uniform. The slot value for the pick sits at $887,000, though after federal taxes, FICA, and California's 13.3% top bracket, Peyton will take home roughly $478,000 before playing a single professional game.
Not to be outdone, Landon Thome—son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome—was selected by the Chicago White Sox with the 34th overall pick in the second round. Jim Thome, who starred for both the White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians, watched from the stands as his son began his own journey in the Windy City. The younger Thome, a power-hitting first baseman out of the University of Oklahoma, is known for his smooth left-handed swing that echoes his father's iconic stroke.
The 2026 draft is shaping up to be one for the ages, with two of baseball's most famous families adding new chapters. While the draft continues through Sunday, the Bonds and Thome clans are already celebrating a weekend they'll never forget. It's a reminder that baseball bloodlines run deep—and sometimes, they run straight to the podium.
Draftniks are buzzing about the parallels to other sports: just as the Sharks made history by drafting the NHL's first 7-foot-1 prospect, MLB is seeing its own unique milestones. And while the draft room was full of tension and excitement, it was nothing compared to the thunderous boos that greeted Adam Silver at the NBA Draft earlier this week.
For the White Sox, adding Landon Thome is a savvy move that could pay dividends down the line. Chicago's farm system has been in need of a power bat, and Thome fits the bill. Meanwhile, the Giants are hoping Peyton Bonds can bring some of his uncle's magic to Oracle Park. With a strong arm and a keen eye at the plate, he's got the tools to make an impact.
The draft continues on Sunday, but the headlines already belong to Bonds and Thome. It's a beautiful thing when the next generation picks up where the legends left off.
