Seven Florida 1st-Rounders Highlight Big 2026 MLB Draft

South Walton’s Coleman Borthwick was taken in the first round by the San Diego Padres.

The annual Major League Amateur Draft was once again well represented with Florida talent in 2026. That was particularly evident right away, as seven Florida players were among those taken in the opening round. No less than 47 former Florida high school baseball players were chosen among the over 500 total selections. Each MLB club has until 5 P.M. on July 27th to come to terms with its selections.

Gulliver Prep shortstop Jacob Lombard went to the hometown Miami Marlins with the 14th pick, as six of the following seven selections were from the Sunshine State.

Considered the best available left-handed high school pitcher, Douglas’ Gio Rojas went to the Texas Rangers with the 16th selection. Fresh off a state-record fifth straight state championship with the Eagles, Rojas capped his brilliant high school career by throwing a gem to defeat the Venice Indians in the Class 7A title game.

Three straight Florida players were then chosen with picks 17, 18 and 19. Former Winter Springs and Texas Tech left-hander Logan Hughes was taken by the Houston Astros, Former Archbishop McCarthy and University of Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron went to the Cincinnati Reds and former Calvary Christian Clearwater and University of South Florida right-hander Liam Peterson was chosen by the Cleveland Guardians.

Gio Rojas was taken in the first round by the Texas Rangers.

Another high-profile state champion was next just two picks later, as Class 3A state champion South Walton’s Coleman Borthwick was drafted by the San Diego Padres. Borthwick leaves an impressive legacy behind from his Seahawks career, and this selection only adds another chapter to his story.

A second former Calvary Christian Clearwater hurler was the last Florida guy in the opening round, as Arkansas lefty Hunter Dietz was picked by the New York Yankees at number 35 overall. Dietz led the SEC in strikeouts this past NCAA season, and was among the most highly-touted pitchers in this draft. He has already since come to terms with the pinstripes to get his professional career started.

Another pair of high school teammates both went in the second round. Jesuit’s Kaden Waechter went to the San Francisco Giants at number 55, and former Jesuit and Florida State University lefty Wes Mendes was chosen by the Houston Astros two picks later at number 57. Although Mendes had never played varsity baseball with Waechter when he graduated in 2023, Kaden was in the program with the Junior Varsity that 2023 season.

Franchises seemed more focused on college talent for much of the remainder of the draft, a noticeable trend in recent years since things were scaled back from 40 picks down to only 20 rounds in the current format. Only ten more Florida high schoolers were selected over the final 18 rounds.

Jesuit’s Kaden Waechter was taken in the second round by the San Francisco Giants.

Bishop Snyder teammates Cole Dennis (Atlanta Braves) and Cody Boshell (Arizona Diamondbacks) were both drafted, as well as a pair from Sandalwood in Bane Barker (Miami Marlins) and former Sandalwood and University of North Florida alum Dakota Stone (Pittsburgh Pirates). South Walton’s Denton Lord was also taken in the 17th Round to join his teammate Borthwick with the San Diego Padres.

Others chosen from the Class of 2026 were Hardee’s Leo Marrero (Baltimore Orioles), Mater Academy’s Steven Gonzalez (Tampa Bay Rays), Montverde Academy’s Max Irving (Los Angeles Dodgers), St. John Neumann’s Cole Travers (Toronto Blue Jays), West Broward’s Ivan Sabater (Tampa Bay Rays) and Bishop Verot’s Joey Lawson (Miami Marlins).

Some draftees may choose not to sign and instead go on to play college baseball. With players able for earnings like never before for college athletes, it is a growing trend for guys to sharpen their skills at the college level and improve their draft stock for next time in a few years. This is another reason less high schoolers tend to be drafted these days, and also why less of them sign pro contracts.

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