SAXTONS RIVER – Chester’s Kaiden McCarthy made Vermont history over the weekend with his second-round selection in the 2026 MLB Draft.
With the 48th overall pick, the Atlanta Braves scooped up McCarthy on Saturday, making him the first-ever player from Vermont to be selected in the second round. Former U-32 standout Own Kellington was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. South Burlington’s Mike Rochford remains the only Vermont high schooler to make it to the big leagues (1982 Boston Red Sox).
McCarthy, a 6-foot, 190-pound flamethrower, starred for Green Mountain Union before earning Vermont Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year honors with Vermont Academy this past spring. His fastball has been clocked at 100 miles per hour in front of MLB scouts.
