7 Cal Poly baseball players picked in 2026 MLB draft. Here’s who

Cal Poly’s Major League Baseball draft haul came entirely on Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft.

Seven Mustangs were selected in Sunday’s rounds 5 through 20, capping a season that saw the program reach the Super Regionals for the first time in program history.

It was the most draftees for Cal Poly since 2008.

Carson Turnquist (Arizona Diamondbacks, Round 7, Pick 206)

Carson Turnquist was the first Mustang to be drafted and was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 7th round of the MLB Draft. The right-handed pitcher from Paso Robles had a season high 11 strikeouts against CSUN in April.

​Turnquist spent the season as Cal Poly’s Day 2 starter, serving as a key piece of the Mustangs’ weekend rotation. He pitched a 4.27 ERA this season and pitched one inning in the Super Regionals, where he gave up six earned runs.

​Just after the Super Regionals in Morgantown, Turnquist reportedly entered the transfer portal, but the MLB Draft ultimately became his next destination.

Josh Volmerding (Boston Red Sox, Round 8, Pick 244)

Josh Volmerding was the next Mustang selected, going to the Boston Red Sox in the 8th round of the MLB Draft. The left-hander battled an injury that sidelined him for much of March and all of April before returning for Cal Poly’s historic postseason run.

Volmerding delivered one of his best performances of the season in the Los Angeles Regional final against Saint Mary’s.

He tossed six innings, allowing two runs while helping lead the Mustangs to the program’s first-ever Super Regional berth.

His seven-strikeout performance in the regional final was a season best.

Ryan Tayman (New York Mets, Round 9, Pick 270)

​Ryan Tayman was selected by the New York Mets in the ninth round as the 270th overall pick.

​Throughout the season, the catcher showcased his value both behind the plate and in the batter’s box, earning praise from Head Coach Larry Lee, who called him the “total package” for his ability to manage the pitching staff while producing offensively.

Tayman tied Cal Poly’s single-season home run record with 18 home runs while batting .358 and was named to the Buster Posey Award Midseason Watch List, recognizing the nation’s top collegiate catchers.

The Grover Beach native added to his list of accolades by earning Big West Co-Field Player of the Year honors in May before being named Cal Poly’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year in June.

Nick Bonn (St. Louis Cardinals, Round 10, Pick 294)

​Nick Bonn was selected in the 10th round after anchoring Cal Poly’s bullpen as its closer.

The right-hander played a pivotal role during the Mustangs’ postseason run, including closing duties in the Los Angeles Regional to help secure the program’s first-ever Super Regional berth.

Bonn finished the season as the NCAA Division 1 leader in saves, recording 17 on the year and was a finalist in the NCBW Stopper of the Year award.

Alejandro Garza (Cleveland Guardians, Round 15, Pick 453)

Alejandro Garza was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the 15th round with the 453rd overall pick.

The third baseman leaves Cal Poly as the program’s all-time hits leader. Known for his consistency at the plate, Garza struck out just 45 times over his collegiate career while batting .317 during the 2026 season. His ability to consistently put the ball in play made him a fixture near the top of the Mustangs’ lineup.

Garza raised his batting average by 70 points over the final nine weeks of the regular season.

Grifffin Naess (Chicago Cubs, Round 15, Pick 457)

Cal Poly ace Griffin Naess was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round of the MLB Draft after serving as the Mustangs’ Friday night starter throughout the season.

Naess struck out 11 batters over 7 ⅔ innings in Cal Poly’s Big West Championship opener and finished the season with 97 strikeouts, including a career-high 14 against Washington State.

While Naess recorded a career-high 97 strikeouts, he also finished with a 5.33 ERA, his highest over the past three seasons.

Chris Downs (San Diego Padres, Round 19, Pick 575)

Chris Downs was a consistent presence out of Cal Poly’s bullpen throughout the season. His longest outing this season came against Cal State Fullerton in May, when he threw six scoreless innings in relief.

Downs played a key role during the Mustangs’ postseason run, providing valuable innings in the Big West Championship, the Los Angeles Regional and the Morgantown Super Regional as Cal Poly’s pitching staff was stretched across multiple elimination games.

In 2025, the left-hander went 6-0 with three saves while serving in a variety of bullpen roles. He earned the win after tossing 6⅓ innings in the first of Cal Poly’s two Big West championship games against UC Irvine and later matched that outing with another 6⅓ innings of relief in the Mustangs’ 11-inning, 7-6 NCAA Eugene Regional win over Utah Valley.

The seven Mustangs selected were among 23 Big West players drafted in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Cal Poly led all Big West programs with seven draft picks, followed by UC Santa Barbara with six. The Gauchos also produced the conference’s highest selection, as Jackson Flora was chosen fourth overall by the San Francisco Giants in the first round.