The 2025 MLB Draft will unfold over two days, July 11‑12, with the first four rounds on Saturday and the remainder on Sunday, setting the stage for teams to replenish their farm systems.
Among the most closely watched names is junior right‑hander Liam Peterson, who sits at No. 20 on MLB.com’s Top 250 and is widely expected to hear his name in the opening round.
Multiple Projections, One Consensus
Analysts differ on the exact slot, but the consensus places Peterson somewhere between the 16th and 18th overall pick, with FanGraphs forecasting a No. 18 selection by the Cincinnati Reds, MLB.com projecting a No. 17 pick to the Houston Astros, and Baseball America slotting him at No. 16 with the Texas Rangers. Just Baseball adds a later‑round possibility at No. 36 to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Peterson’s arsenal includes a fastball that has touched 101 mph and a slider that many scouts regard as his most polished secondary offering, making him a compelling prospect for clubs looking for high‑upside arms.
A Supporting Cast
The Gators’ draft class extends beyond Peterson. Outfielder Kyle Jones ranks No. 135 on the Top 250, while right‑handers Russell Sandefer and Luke McNeillie sit at Nos. 177 and 185 respectively. Third‑baseman Ethan Surowiec is listed at No. 249, and a handful of other seniors — Jaden Bastian, Caden McDonald, Hayden Yost and Blake Cyr — also enter the eligible pool.
Commitments add another layer of intrigue. Sophomore third‑baseman Ethan Surowiec has opted to return for his senior year after agreeing to a name‑image‑likeness deal with Florida Victorious, while several incoming commits — Kevin Roberts Jr., Brady Harris and Brady Snow — appear in the Top 250 rankings. Left‑handed pitcher Colin White, another commit, boosted his stock with a strong showing at the MLB Draft Combine.
Florida’s recent draft history underscores the program’s ability to churn out major‑league talent. In the past, first‑rounders such as Jac Caglianone, Wyatt Langford, Hurston Waldrep and Sterlin Thompson have emerged, and the 2024 draft marked the first year since 2021 without a Gator selected in the opening round. This year, however, Peterson’s projected first‑round status revives expectations that the streak will continue.
If the projections hold, the draft could inject fresh talent into the organization and reinforce the Gators’ reputation as a pipeline for elite baseball players, a narrative that fans and the broader baseball community will watch unfold over the next two days.