Nationals Eyeing Collegiate Flamethrower in 2026 Draft

University of Florida's Liam Peterson linked to Washington with 11th overall pick

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:50pm

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The Washington Nationals hold the 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, and one name that continues to surface in mock drafts for the team is Liam Peterson, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher from the University of Florida. Peterson has the upside that could entice new Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, despite some control issues that have plagued the prospect.

Why it matters

The Nationals are looking to add more high-end talent to their pipeline in Toboni's first draft in charge, and Peterson's electric stuff could be too good for them to pass up at 11, even with his occasional control problems. The team's recent trade for another high-ceiling, high-risk pitching prospect in Luis Perales suggests Toboni may be willing to take on that type of profile.

The details

Peterson, 21, has seen his walk rate climb to 15% this season, up from 10.5% last year, as he's already issued 12 free passes in just 19.1 innings. However, he's also shown major improvement in hits allowed, with opponents batting just .167 against him so far in 2026. The righty has racked up 34 strikeouts, flashing the dominant stuff that has him firmly in the first-round conversation.

  • Through four starts in the 2026 college baseball season
  • Liam Peterson was previously linked to the Nationals in Bleacher Report's 3.0 mock draft

The players

Liam Peterson

A 21-year-old right-handed pitcher for the University of Florida, known for his high-end stuff and strikeout ability but has struggled with control issues at times.

Paul Toboni

The new president of baseball operations for the Washington Nationals, taking over in 2026 and overseeing his first MLB Draft with the team.

Luis Perales

A high-ceiling pitching prospect acquired by the Nationals in a trade with the Boston Red Sox this offseason, with a similar profile to that of Liam Peterson.

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What they’re saying

“... he still possesses arguably the best package of size, stuff and ceiling of any pitcher in the college class. An uptick to his already less-than-ideal walk rate (10.5 to 15.0 percent) has introduced some volatility to his draft stock, but his stuff is too good for him to slip much further down the board.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Mock Draft Analyst (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Nationals will continue to evaluate Liam Peterson and other top prospects leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, where they hold the 11th overall pick.

The takeaway

The Nationals' new front office, led by Paul Toboni, appears willing to take on high-risk, high-reward pitching prospects like Liam Peterson and Luis Perales, betting on their elite stuff despite control issues. This strategy could pay dividends in restocking their farm system with impact talent.