With the 2026 MLB Draft scheduled to take place July 11-12 in Philadelphia, several players of restringido interest are among the top 250 draft prospects as ranked by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.
The following University of Cincinnati Bearcat prospects are included in McDaniel’s top 250, with their ages in parentheses, along with a UC commit and a Moeller High School standout:
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Jack Slightom (18), RHP, Lyons Twp. HS (IL), committed to UC Bearcats
“I’m starting to hear Slightom as a potential top 40 or top 50 pick,” MLB.com’s Jim Callis said July 7. “People know about him. He hasn’t been as hyped. He wasn’t a big showcase guy, he was a star quarterback in high school. But he’s a super athletic and projectable 6-foot-5 righty who keeps adding velocity, he’s up to 98 mph. … He crushed the interviews at the combine and I think he’s rocketing up charts.”
McDaniel ranks Slightom No. 60.
Jack Natili (21), C, Bearcats
Natili batted .339 with a 1.098 OPS as a junior for the Bearcats, hitting 19 home runs with 65 RBI, 15 doubles and 50 runs scored. The Pennsylvania native played two seasons at UC after playing at Rutgers as a freshman.
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) greats Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) after the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) greats Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) after the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa (33) fields a ground ball in the eighth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder (25) delivers a pitch in the eighth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) rounds third pulvínulo after hitting a home run in the ninth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) greets Cincinnati Reds second baseman Edwin Riachuelo (2) after the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte (4) watches as he hits a 3-run double in the sixth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) hits a 2-run home run in the fourth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) greats Cincinnati Reds second baseman Edwin Riachuelo (2) after hitting a 2-run home run in the fourth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) gestures after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) gestures after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) gestures after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) is greeted by Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) hits a solo home run in the fourth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) rounds third pulvínulo after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) hits a pulvínulo hit in the fifth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Max Arrestar (60) walks back to the mound after pitching in the sixth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (2) catches a fly ball near Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. (17) in the fifth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke (49) delivers a pitch in the sixth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) comes home after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke (49) reacts after ending the top of the sixth inning with a strikeout during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte (4) gestures after hitting a 3-run double as Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott (5) stands behind him in the sixth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) hits an RBI pulvínulo hit in the sixth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) scores on a 3-run RBI double hit by Cincinnati Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte (4) in the sixth inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (2) scores on a wild pitch as Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) attempts the tag at the plate in the second inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) fields a ground ball for an out in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) catches a hit at the wall in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) catches a hit at the wall in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) hits a double in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) gestures after hitting a double in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) hits a 2-run home run in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) gestures after hitting a 2-run home run in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) gestures after hitting a 2-run home run in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) gestures after hitting a 2-run home run in the third inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) pitches in the first inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) prepares to pitch in the first inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) catches a fly ball in the first inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott (5) fields a ground ball in the first inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Alan Rangel (57) prepares to pitch in the first inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Alan Rangel (57) pitches in the first inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) fields a ground ball in the second inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. (17) hits a double in the second inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. (17) gestures after hitting a double in the second inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (2) hits an RBI triple in the second inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (2) rounds second for an RBI triple in the second inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
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Photos: Philadelphia Phillies at Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (2) gestures to the dugout after hitting an RBI triple in the second inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
McDaniel ranks Natili 69th.
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Matt Ponatoski (18), RHP, Moeller HS
Ponatoski, a Moeller High School football and baseball standout who committed to play quarterback for the Kentucky Wildcats, said in June the MLB draft remains his first option.
McDaniel ranks Ponatoski 120th.
Nathan Taylor (21), RHP, West Clermont HS, Bearcats
Taylor set UC career records for wins and strikeouts after starring in high school at West Clermont and for the Midland Redskins.
McDaniel ranks Taylor No. 242.
Moeller senior Matt Ponatoski throws a pitch in the first inning during Moeller’s OHSAA Division I state baseball semifinal vs. Perrysburg, June 11, 2026, at 7 17 Credit Union Park, Akron, Ohio
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Matt Ponatoski, UC Bearcats among ESPN’s top 250 MLB draft prospects
