The 2026 MLB Draft has already begun to shape the future of several promising arms, and among them is right‑handed pitcher Luke McNeillie, who was taken by the New York Mets in the fifth round.
Scouting Insights
McNeillie arrives in the Mets system with a blend of size, experience and a track record that hints at both upside and questions.
Standing 6‑foot‑3 and weighing around 200 pounds, the Milton, Georgia native spent the 2026 season at the University of Florida, where he posted a career‑low 3.97 ERA across 18 appearances, including three starts.
He fanned 48 batters while walking just 17 in 34 innings, a ratio that underscores his ability to miss bats despite a modest walk total.
Scouting services graded his fastball and slider at 55 on the 20‑80 scale, while his changeup and control landed at 45, yielding an overall grade of 40 entering the draft.
The report notes that his command can be spotty, and he sometimes hesitates between trying to be a complete pitcher and simply attacking with his power stuff.
Although his slot value may not be sufficient to lure him away from Gainesville just yet, the organization believes that a solidified starter role could catapult his stock dramatically before next year’s draft.