The college baseball season is in full swing, which means scouts are getting in-game looks at the guys who will make up the bulk of the 2026 MLB draft.
Four Florida freshmen are standing out so far and made Perfect Game’s first in-season 2026 Draft Board.
Saturday starter Liam Peterson is looking like a first-round pick and checks in at No. 6 on this list. He’s considered the top college arm in the class, with Arkansas’ Gabe Gaeckle and LSU’s Cameron Johnson close behind. Peterson has struggled lately, but he’s still a freshman facing SEC lineups. That kind of experience is invaluable for a talented arm.
At No. 28 on the list is left-handed reliever Frank Menendez. Although his numbers haven’t been good through five appearances (20.25 ERA over 1.1 innings pitched), he’s flashed some good stuff as he finds his footing on a college mound. The Gators have used him in high-leverage and matchup situations mostly.
Right-hander Luke McNeillie is at No. 47 on the list. He started the season as a potential midweek starter for Florida, but he’s looked better in relief situations. There’s closer potential in him, but he’s got starter stuff, similar to Brandon Neely.
Rounding out the quarter of Gators on this list is outfielder Hayden Yost at No. 65 overall. Yost has appeared in more than half of Florida’s games so far, including two midweek starts against Bethune-Cookman and UCF. Yost’s glove will play at the college level, perhaps in center field, and he’s figuring things out at the plate.
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