Cincinnati Bearcats baseball catcher Jack Natili and pitcher Nathan Taylor have both been invited to the 2026 MLB draft combine, which will be held at Chase Field in Phoenix from June 23-26.
Right-handed pitcher Jack Slightom, a member of the Bearcats’ 2026 recruiting class, also was invited.
This marks the second straight season Cincinnati has had a presence at the combine, as Landyn Vidourek was invited in 2025. Vidourek ended up being a third-round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Natili and Taylor both turned in excellent campaigns in 2026. Taylor became the first UC pitcher to be named an All-American since Tim Burman in 1974 when he received the honor from Perfect Game. He earned his third all-conference nod this season and left his mark on the Cincinnati record book, setting career records for wins (22) and strikeouts (276) while also breaking the single-season strikeout record this year (115). As of the end of Cincinnati’s season, Taylor ranked among the Top 20 pitchers nationally in strikeouts.
An All-Big 12 honoree for the second straight year, Natili had an outstanding junior season. He hit .339 with a 1.098 OPS, adding 19 home runs, 65 RBI, 15 doubles, and 50 runs scored. He tied the single-game school record for home runs on three separate occasions this season, blasting three home runs in games against Utah (March 21), UCF (April 19), and in the NCAA Tournament win vs. Louisiana (May 29). He is the only player this decade to hit at least three home runs in a game at least three times in one season.
MLB Network will be providing television coverage of the MLB Draft Combine all week long. The 2026 MLB Draft will be held July 11-12in Philadelphia.
DRAFT COMBINE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 23
11:30 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. ET: On-field workouts
12:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET: MLB Network Showcase
9:00 p.m. ET: High School Showcase Game
Wednesday, June 24
12:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. ET: On-field Workouts
Thursday, June 25
12:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. ET: Strength and Conditioning Testing
Friday, June 26
12:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. ET: Strength and Conditioning Testing
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats baseball players to participate in MLB draft combine
Reporting by Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
