dpJuly 11, 2026, 2:12 p.m. ET
For Eric Booth Jr., choosing between baseball, basketball and football was never easy.
The three-sport standout emerged as one of the nation’s top prep athletes, starring on the diamond while showcasing the athleticism that also made him a talented football and basketball player growing up before focusing full-time on baseball. Ultimately, his future pointed toward baseball, where his blend of speed, power and defensive versatility made him one of the top high school prospects in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Despite a ton of big-league clubs showing interest in Booth, only one was able to pick him. That was the Baltimore Orioles with the No. 7 overall pick, giving the AL East club an immediate boost to their farm system in the outfield.
Here’s a look at the Oak Grove star, and his journey from Lamar County, Mississippi, to Baltimore, Maryland.
Lighting fast bloodlines make for pro potential
Booth Jr. has a dynamic combination of athleticism, thanks in part to his father, Eric Sr., who was a star kick returner at Southern Miss. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1993 MLB Draft, opting to forgo baseball to play for the Eagles instead.
Booth Sr. had a memorable 1997 season with Southern Miss, averaging 34.8 yards per kick return, which ranked second in all of Division I. He also returned kickoffs for touchdowns against Tennessee and Houston, and was at the top of the leaderboard for most kickoff return touchdowns in the country.
That positions Booth Jr. well, especially as he’s one of the youngest high school products in this year’s class. Booth Jr. just celebrated his 18th birthday on July 4, making him the 11th youngest draft-eligible prospect.
And while his speed gets a lot of attention, the strength is there to hit at least 20 home runs in the big leagues. He won the Home Run Derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic last summer, as the power will be beneficial to the Orioles.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: [email protected]. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
