Florida RHP Liam Peterson a top-5 draft prospect heading into 2026 cycle

USA Today

3 days ago

Teams didn't pay up for Liam Peterson coming out of high school, and now the Florida ace enters the 2026 draft cycle as one of the top arms in the class.
Baseball America broke down its top 2026 draft prospects following the conclusion of the 2025 draft, and Peterson checks in at No. 5 overall. He's a bit further down at No. 9 in BA's way-too-early mock draft, but that's assuming an order that hasn't been set yet. Peterson may fall or rise a few spots depending on fit, but he's one of the very best collegiate players heading into next year.
"Peterson last year cemented himself as one of the best freshman arms in the country and collected 77 strikeouts across 63 innings," Baseball America wrote. "Peterson picked up right where he left off—and then some—and pitched to a 4.28 ERA with a career-best 96 strikeouts across 69.1 innings.
"The 6-foot-5 righthander features a mid-to-upper-90s fastball that flashes ample carry through the zone, a pitch he pairs with a mid-to-upper-80s slider that flashes sharp two-plane tilt, an above-average high-80s changeup that flashes both tumble and fade and a seldom-used high-70s-to-low-80s curveball that's distinct in shape from his slider. Peterson's slider and changeup both generated a whiff rate of 43% and his strike-throwing took a step forward since last season."
Peterson spent his second summer in a row with Team USA, although he didn't pitch in the 45th annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series. Even with Aidan King emerging as a trusty No. 2 behind Peterson, all the pressure is on him to lead the staff after a shaky 2025 for Florida on the mound.
Other Gators in the 2026 draft
Florida doesn't have any other 2026 draft prospects inside Baseball America's top 100, but a pair of Gators commits are likely to come off the board on Day 1 of next year's draft. Outfielder Brady Harris has been considered a top-10 pick for most of his high school career and is all but gone to the next level. It would take a considerable drop for Florida to retain him.
There's also right-hander Denton Lord, who stands at 6-foot-8 with a fastball approaching the high-90s. Projectability is likely to get him drafted, but he'd be a potential weekend starter as a freshman if Florida keeps him.
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