Gators Pitchers Peterson and King Earn Preseason Honors

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Florida Gators pitchers Liam Peterson and Aidan King have been recognized with prominent preseason honors ahead of the 2026 college baseball season. Peterson enters the year as the team's Friday starter, while King will take the mound on Saturdays after a standout freshman campaign in 2025.

Why it matters

The Gators are looking to build on their success from last season, and having a strong 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation will be crucial to their chances. Peterson and King are two of the top pitchers in the SEC and could help lead Florida to another postseason berth.

The details

Peterson, a 6-foot-5 right-hander, has been a mainstay in the Gators' rotation since his freshman year in 2024. After posting a 3-6 record and 6.43 ERA as a freshman, he took a big step forward as a sophomore in 2025, going 8-4 with a 4.28 ERA and 96 strikeouts. King, a Jacksonville native, burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2025, posting a team-high 2.58 ERA and 7-2 record with 79 strikeouts. His standout performance down the stretch, including a win over No. 1 Texas, has him poised for an even bigger sophomore campaign.

• Peterson has been Florida's Friday starter since his freshman year in 2024.
• King took command of a weekend rotation spot just before SEC play began in 2025.
• In his final five starts of 2025, King went 3-1 with a 0.94 ERA and 29 strikeouts.