Now that conference play has begun, Tennessee and the rest of the SEC can expect to face some high-level MLB draft talent just about every week. Within the SEC alone, there are 19 top 100 MLB draft prospects for the 2026 draft, according to MLB Pipeline. Many of them are spread out throughout the SEC, but some teams have multiple top prospects.
Justin Lebron of Alabama, Derek Curiel of LSU and Liam Peterson of Florida are at the top of that list. While playing such a high level of college baseball, here’s what separates these players from the rest of the pack.
Justin Lebron
Lebron is the highest ranked SEC player on the list. The shortstop from Alabama is in his third year and has been dominant since the beginning.
In his freshman year, Lebron slashed .338/.429/.546 while hitting 12 home runs. The obvious weak point in his game that year was his strikeout-to-walk ratio. During that 2024 season, Lebron struck out over two and a half times as much as he walked.
Since then, Lebron has become more patient and more dangerous at the plate. While his batting average has come down slightly over the last couple of years (.304 early this season), his on base percentage and slugging percentage have taken a jump up (.440 and .684 respectively so far this season). His supplemental numbers have also taken a jump.
Lebron’s improvements in his approach at the plate have made him a more productive hitter. In 2026, Lebron is on pace for 24 home runs and 53 stolen bases, which would both be career highs. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is also just over one to start this season.
The speed showcased on the base paths also contributes to his defensive prowess. His quick first step gives him significant range at shortstop. Paired with his strong arm, Lebron can be a real defensive threat.
Derek Curiel
Curiel follows just three spots behind Lebron, coming in at No. 6 on the Top 100 list.
A draft-eligible sophomore, Curiel is coming off of a monster freshman year in which he and his team took home the national title in Omaha. Curiel slashed .345/.470/.519 in 68 games while also hitting .390 during the NCAA tournament.
Curiel has gotten off to a bit of a slower start in his sophomore season at LSU, slashing .329/.410/.463. His power numbers are an area of concern, but scouts like his ability to make solid contact to all fields.
Curiel’s strong tracking ability in the outfield, particularly in center field, also stands out to scouts.
Liam Peterson
The first SEC pitcher on the top 100 is Peterson.
Peterson has been a member of Florida’s starting rotation since his freshman year in Gainesville in 2024. Although he went 3-6 with a 6.43 ERA in 18 appearances (16 starts), Peterson has shown exponential improvements over the last three years.
In 2025, Peterson made 16 appearances (15 starts) while going 8-4 and dropping his ERA down to 4.28. Peterson also threw 6.1 more innings than the previous season and improved his strikeout-to-walk ratio by 1.25.
Peterson has continued to show improvement early in 2026. In his five starts, Peterson is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA. His WHIP has also continued to drop, notching a 1.026 to start the season.
Peterson’s drastic improvements over the last three seasons have been credited to his development of his pitches.
His fastball is strong, sitting in the mid-90s and touching 98-99, and has good ride.
His slider, which he has come to rely on heavily at Florida, has shown a lot of improvement and become a major out pitch for Peterson.
Arguably Peterson’s best pitch is his 12-6 curveball. Many scouts seem to like the curve the most, but Peterson does not seem to use the pitch that often.
Like his slider, Peterson’s changeup has improved a lot, becoming a pitch with lots of depth and movement.
Overall, Peterson’s development on the mound has given scouts quite a bit to be excited about. While he may not be the most dominant college baseball pitcher of the last three years, his projections are something scouts are really looking forward to.
