2026 MLB Draft Review: Cleveland Guardians

The Players

While Liam Peterson didn’t have the best of seasons, the now-former ace of the Florida Gators did more than enough to cement his status as a top pitcher available in the MLB Draft.

Peterson, a fixture in the Gators’ rotation for three seasons, struck out 111 batters over 84.1 IP with the club this past season. He did have problems getting through starts, thanks to walks and an unfortunate penchant to give up the long ball. However, the stuff is premier.

A top-flight fastball that will reach 99-100 MPH in the SEC, plus a filthy high-80s-to-low-90s slider that was his go-to secondary offering as a collegiate pitcher.

Unfortunately, the Guardians could not get second-rounder Logan Schmidt to forego his commitment to LSU, a big get for head coach Jay Johnson. Not so much for the Guardians, though. Schmidt was a fixture at high school showcases dating back to 2021. Strong two-way player in high school who was able to hit the mid-90s as a high school left-handed pitcher.

Cleveland took two college hitters in Rounds 3 & 4, respectively. Tre Broussard shined as a speedy outfielder with the University of Houston. Broussard hit .344 with three home runs and 25 stolen bases with the Cougars this past season. And he was far from the lone speedster added via the MLB Draft this past July. Lucas Moore, who led Louisville with 37 stolen bases, was plucked in the fifth round.

Lewis, meanwhile, was a contact machine, dating back to his freshman year at Butler (video from 2024, where he faced now-Cleveland prospect Mario Pesca). This past season, Lewis hit .354 with 13 home runs, the second straight year he was productive with the Demon Deacons. But despite a strong frame, Lewis didn’t have a big career as far as power is concerned. Will work the opposite field and doesn’t strike out a lot.

In the sixth round, the Guardians picked Deiten Lachance from the 2026 NCAA champion Oklahoma Sooners. Lachance was a gamer during the postseason, as the Canadian had a knack for coming up with clutch home runs. He hit 18 home runs this season, six of which came in the tourney. Very impressive, especially considering his first with OU didn’t come until April 9.

Speaking of Oklahoma, the Guardians spent $1MM in signing bonus money to land Savion Sims, their seventh-round pick. A 6’8” pitcher, Sims was clocked in at 100 MPH last year in the Perfect Game showcase circuit.

Cleveland finished out the top half with three college pitchers: Matt Scott, Mario Pesca, and Ryan Bilka.

Scott was a high-prized pitching prospect two years ago out of Stanford. However, he took a lot of hits (literally) in 2025. He transferred to Georgia and pitched well, as Scott struck out 76 over 59 innings in a multi-inning relief role. Mid-90s fastball and a sharp breaking ball are among the weapons in his arsenal.

Pesca, like Scott, was a transfer pitcher. The righty was a part of the St. John’s rotation before he transferred to Oklahoma State for 2025 and 2026. He struck out 80 over 70 innings this season for the Cowboys. Low-90s sinker that would occasionally run into the mid-90s, coupled with a slider.

Bilka, a reliever for Miami (FL), flirted with the mid-90s and struck out 36 over 30 innings for the Hurricanes.

As far as the rest of the draft went, the Guardians grabbed two pitchers from UNLV: Carson Lane and Parker Dillhoff. Lane has a fastball that can run up to the mid-90s, along with a changeup in the low-80s, as well as a curveball. He struck out 70 over 62 innings.

Dillhoff, meanwhile, was the staff ace for the Rebels. The senior left-hander punched out 94 over 69 innings for UNLV this past season. Low-90s velocity off his fastballs, plus a curveball and slider.

Junior right-hander Jake Bean had an ERA north of 10.00 this past season for the Louisville Cardinals. Cleveland still gave him $200,000, a clear reminder that stuff, not ERA, dictates future value. Two fastballs, a sinker and a four-seamer, along with a slider, curveball, changeup, and cutter. Did run it up to the mid-90s.