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Guardians select Liam Peterson as top pick in 2026 MLB Draft

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 12, 2026, 10:15 AM

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

Guardians select Liam Peterson as top pick in 2026 MLB Draft

Summary

The Guardians drafted pitcher Liam Peterson in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft, marking their first top pick on a pitcher since 2021. Peterson, a 6-foot-5 right-hander from the University of Florida, was selected with the No. 19 overall pick and was ranked the No. 20 prospect by MLB Pipeline. His skills include a fastball reaching 98-99 mph, complemented by a curveball, slider, and changeup. Guardians scout Paul Gillespie expressed confidence in Peterson's potential, highlighting his athletic background and mindset as key attributes for development in the organization.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Liam Peterson was the No. 19 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
•This is the Guardians' first top pick on a pitcher since 2021.
•Peterson is a 6-foot-5 right-hander from the University of Florida.
•He has a fastball that hits 98-99 mph and features multiple pitch types.
•Paul Gillespie believes Peterson has the foundation for success in the organization.

Latest Updates

10:15 AMYahoo Sports — Guardians ready to help top draft pick Liam Peterson reach his ceiling

What they're saying

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The Guardians selected Liam Peterson in the first round and in doing so drafted a pitcher with their top pick for the first time since 2021.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Cleveland Guardians MLB Baseball