![Florida's pitcher Liam Peterson (12) pitches against Alabama in Game 1 of the weekend series. Florida came back from being down 5-0 to beat Alabama 7-6, Friday, May 15, 2025, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2025](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_714,w_3753,h_2111/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01k0y5x37sm2ghb7gz40.jpg "Florida's pitcher Liam Peterson (12) pitches against Alabama in Game 1 of the weekend series. Florida came back from being down 5-0 to beat Alabama 7-6, Friday, May 15, 2025, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2025")
Now that the class of 2025 has graduated and heard their names called as the newest Major League Baseball draftees, it is time for the class of 2026 to begin to take shape. Baseball America recently revealed their “way too early” top 100 prospects in the 2026 draft conversation and the Florida Gators are proving they are not just a top-5 academic school, but they’re top-5 athletically as well. Sitting at No. 5 in the draft prospect rankings is Gators right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson.
Peterson, the sophomore from Palm Harbor, Florida had a breakout year in 2025. Baseball America called him one of the best freshman arms in the country in 2024 and he continued to build upon that in 2025. Last season, he was 8-4 in 16 appearances (15 starts). Over the course of 69 1/3 innings, he gave up 33 earned runs on 67 hits, 32 walks, and struck out 96 batters. His strongest outings were on February 14, March 7, and April 25 when he struck out 11+ batters in each outing. April 25 vs Arkansas, he fanned 13.
Of note for Peterson in 2025 was a very shutout against Texas for four innings before a weather delay. Though he came away with a no-decision, he gave up just two hits, two walks, and struck out three in his four-inning outing against a red-hot No. 1 Texas team.
Peterson earned 2025 CSC Academic All-district.
Liam Peterson will be one of the top prospects for 2026
The 6’5” right-hander features a fastball that ranges in the mid-to-upper 90s, a slider that sits upper-80s with a “sharp two-plane tilt,” and an above-average changeup that sits upper-80s. He also has a curveball that ranges in the 70 mph – 80 mph range. However, it’s a pitch that still needs more development, as he doesn’t use it often, and if he wants to be successful with it at the next level, it still needs some work.
Peterson didn’t just impress in the NCAA season, but he also participated in the 2025 USA Collegiate National Team training camp in North Carolina. It was the second season in which Peterson participated in the camp. He performed well enough to earn a spot on their 26-man roster for the 45th USA vs Japan Collegiate All-Star Series.
If Peterson can continue to perform well, he could see himself drafted in the top five this time next year.