Eric Booth Jr.: A Young Baseball Star’s Journey from Mississippi to the Baltimore Orioles

(July 11, 2026, 2:12 p.m. ET)

Who Is Eric Booth Jr.?

Imagine being so good at three different sports that grown‑up scouts come to watch you play. That was life for Eric Booth Jr.!

• He is a teenager from Lamar County, Mississippi, and attended Oak Grove High School.
• He was a “three‑sport standout” – meaning he was really talented at baseball, basketball, and football.
• He became one of the best high school athletes in the entire United States.
• As he grew up, he showed amazing athleticism in football and basketball, but he eventually focused full‑time on baseball (the game played on the “diamond”).

Important: Eric’s special mix of speed (running fast), power (hitting the ball hard), and defensive versatility (being able to play different spots in the outfield or infield) made him one of the top high school prospects (young players expected to become great) in the 2026 MLB Draft (the event where professional baseball teams choose new players).

In March 2026, Eric played in a game for Oak Grove against Northwest Rankin in Flowood, Mississippi, where he scored a run and hit the ball well, showing his skills live.

The Draft Day: Baltimore Orioles Pick Eric

Many big‑league clubs (professional teams) liked Eric, but only one team gets to pick a player in the draft. Here is how it happened:

1. Lots of professional baseball teams showed interest in Eric.
2. The teams entered the 2026 MLB Draft where they take turns choosing players.
3. The Baltimore Orioles used the No. 7 overall pick to choose Eric.
4. This gives the Orioles – a team in the AL East (a group of teams in the American League) – a new young player for their “farm system” (a group of smaller minor‑league teams where clubs develop young talent) in the outfield (the grassy area far from home plate).

Callout: The Orioles just got a big boost! They picked a super talented teenager to help them in the future.

Lightning‑Fast Bloodlines Make for Pro Potential

This section explains why Eric is such a natural athlete – it runs in the family!

His Dad Was a Star Too

• Eric’s father, Eric Booth Sr., was a star kick returner (a football player who catches kicked balls and runs with them) at Southern Miss (University of Southern Mississippi).
• Eric Sr. was even selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1993 MLB Draft for baseball, but he chose to play football for the Eagles (Southern Miss’s team) instead.
• In 1997, Eric Sr. had an amazing season: he averaged 34.8 yards per kick return (second best in all of Division I – the top level of U.S. college sports). He returned kickoffs for touchdowns (scored points) against Tennessee and Houston, and led the country in kickoff return touchdowns.

Eric Jr.’s Own Amazing Traits

• Eric Jr. is very young! He just celebrated his 18th birthday on July 4, 2026, making him the 11th youngest draft‑eligible prospect (player allowed to be drafted) this year.
• His speed gets a lot of attention (thanks to those fast family genes!), but he is also strong.
• He has the strength to hit at least 20 home runs (a hit that lets the batter run all the bases) in the big leagues.
• He won the Home Run Derby (a contest to hit the most home runs) at the Perfect Game All‑American Classic (a special showcase game for top high school players) last summer. His power will be super helpful to the Orioles.

Important Point: Being both fast and strong is rare. That’s why the Orioles are thrilled to have him.

Summary

Eric Booth Jr. is an 18‑year‑old baseball talent from Oak Grove, Mississippi. He played many sports as a kid but focused on baseball, where his speed and power shone. Following in his father’s athletic footsteps, Eric became a top prospect and was drafted 7th overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2026. He is young, fast, and can hit home runs, making him an exciting addition to the team’s future farm system in the outfield.

Where to Find More High School Sports News

• The article was written by Sports Reporter Alex Martin. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @NP_AlexMartin or email him at amartin@usatodayco.com.
• For more high school sports coverage, follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
• USA Today offers the best preps coverage in the country, from rankings to local and national news—every team matters.

FAQ

1. What is the MLB Draft?
The MLB Draft is like a big choosing game where professional baseball teams take turns picking young amateur players (like high school or college stars) to join their organizations. Eric was picked 7th in 2026.

2. Why did Eric Booth Jr. choose baseball over football and basketball?
He was great at all three, but his special blend of speed, power, and ability to play different baseball positions made baseball his best path. He focused full‑time on baseball and became a top prospect.

3. What does “farm system” mean?
A farm system is a collection of minor‑league teams where professional clubs develop young players before they reach the main big‑league team. The Orioles will likely send Eric there to grow his skills.

4. How is Eric Booth Jr. related to Eric Booth Sr.?
Eric Sr. is his father. Eric Sr. was a football star and was even drafted for baseball in 1993 but played football. His speed seems to run in the family!

5. What is a Home Run Derby?
It’s a fun contest where players try to hit the most home runs (balls that fly out of the field) in a time limit. Eric won one last summer against other top high school players.