Three of the four major college baseball publications have released their 2026 Preseason All-America honors, with three Gators earning spots on various teams.
Jr. RHP Liam Peterson – 2x First Team
Junior right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson was named a Preseason First Team All-American by Baseball America and Perfect Game. He was also selected to Baseball America’s Preseason College Pitcher of the Year Watch List.
A two-year starter at Florida, Peterson owns a 5.30 career ERA with 173 strikeouts over 132.1 innings pitched. The 6’5, 220-pound flamethrower took a step forward in 2025, going 8–4 with a 4.28 ERA, 96 strikeouts, and 32 walks across 69.1 innings.
Peterson showed improved command last season and had greater success working his way out of trouble. If he takes another step forward in 2026, the Clearwater, Florida, native could position himself as one of the top selections in the upcoming MLB Draft.
Baseball America ranks Peterson as the No.5 overall prospect, No.2 college player, and top pitcher in next year’s draft.
So. RHP Aidan King – Second Team
After a historic freshman campaign that included Unanimous First Team Freshman All-America honors from four publications, Aidan King enters the season as a Preseason Second Team All-American selection by D1Baseball.
King set a program record with four SEC weekly honors during the 2025 campaign, leading Florida with a 2.58 ERA, .213 batting average against, 73.1 innings pitched, and five quality starts. The 6’2 right hander posted the lowest ERA by a Gator across a full season since Brady Singer in 2018 (2.55) and the best by a Florida true freshman since Logan Shore in 2014 (2.29). King’s 79 strikeouts marked the most by a Florida true freshman since Jack Leftwich in 2018 (84 K).
The Jacksonville, Florida native ended the season particularly strong, posting a 3-1 record, 0.94 ERA, .192 BAA and a 29-to-10 K-to-BB ratio over 28.2 innings pitched in his final five starts.
King ranks as the fourth-best SEC prospect in the 2027 MLB Draft class according to D1Baseball and the No. 11 sophomore in college baseball per Perfect Game.
Jr. RHP Luke McNeillie – Second Team
Junior right-handed pitcher Luke McNeillie was named a preseason Second Team All-American by Baseball America.
Primarily working out of Florida’s bullpen, McNeillie posted a 4.82 ERA, .230 batting average against, 72 strikeouts, and 24 walks across 52.1 innings pitched.
McNeillie turned in one of the more dominant fall seasons in recent memory and is expected to be one of the most relied-upon arms in 2026.
The Milton, Georgia, native ranks as the No. 66 junior in college baseball according to Perfect Game.
Notables
Sophomore infielder Brendan Lawson was named to Baseball America’s Preseason College Player of the Year Watch List.
On February 6, the National College Baseball Writers Association will release its Preseason All-America honors, with the Preseason Golden Spikes Watch List set to be announced the same day.