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Twins draft Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with 3rd overall pick, add another catcher at No. 43
By James Monical at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 11, 2026
· 2 min read
The Minnesota Twins selected Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the No. 3 overall pick in the MLB Draft on Saturday, adding one of the top college hitters and defensive catchers in this year’s class.
Lackey, 21, is coming off a standout junior season in which he hit .397 with 20 home runs, ...
Key takeaway 291 OPS while helping lead Georgia Tech to ACC regular-season and tournament championships.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Twins' selection of Vahn Lackey with the third overall pick brings new excitement to the local baseball scene, particularly given the team's history of successfully developing homegrown catchers. The last time the Twins used a first-round pick on a catcher, it was Joe Mauer, who went on to have a storied career with the team. Lackey's impressive college statistics and accolades, including the Johnny Bench Award, suggest he has the potential to make a similar impact. As the Twins look to build on recent successes, Lackey's addition could be a key factor in shaping the team's future. Fans will be watching closely to see how he progresses through the minor leagues and potentially becomes a mainstay behind the plate at Target Field. With his well-rounded skills and impressive college pedigree, Lackey is poised to become a fan favorite in Minneapolis .
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Minnesota Twins selected Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the No. 3 overall pick in the MLB Draft on Saturday, adding one of the top college hitters and defensive catchers in this year’s class.
Lackey, 21, is coming off a standout junior season in which he hit .397 with 20 home runs, ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by James Monical at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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