CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Guardians selected right-hander Liam Peterson with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Peterson, 21, pitched three seasons at the University of Florida and made 16 starts in 2026, going 3-6 with a 4.59 ERA in 84 1/3 innings. He struck out 111 and walked 36, finishing seventh in the SEC in strikeouts.
A 6-foot-5, 225-pound right-hander, Peterson was a weekend starter for the Gators throughout his college career. He went 14-16 with a 5.03 ERA in 50 games (47 starts), totaling 284 strikeouts in 216 2/3 innings.
Peterson is MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 draft prospect. His preseason honors entering 2026 included First Team Preseason All-American recognition from Baseball America and Perfect Game, as well as First Team Preseason All-SEC. As a freshman in 2024, he made the SEC All-Freshman Team and was named SEC Freshman of the Week on May 20.
Peterson is Florida’s first opening-round pick since Jac Caglianone went sixth overall to the Kansas City Royals in 2024, and he is the first University of Florida player selected in the first round by Cleveland. Peterson is the first pitcher they have taken in the first round since right-hander Gavin Williams in 2021.
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