Stoneman Douglas, Florida Christian have multiple alums taken in 2026 MLB Draft
The MLB Draft started with three former South Florida prep standouts being selected in the first round: Miami Gulliver Prep shortstop Jacob Lombard to the hometown Miami Marlins at No. 14, Parkland Stoneman Douglas left-handed pitcher Gio Rojas to the Texas Rangers at No. 16, and former Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy shortstop Justin Lebron (who played collegiately at Alabama) to the Cincinnati Reds at No. 18.
By the time the 20-round draft was over, seven more players from Miami-Dade and Broward counties heard their names called.
Here’s a quick look at all 10:
Jacob Lombard, first round, No. 14, Miami Marlins: Lombard, a Miami Hurricanes commit was viewed as a near-consensus top 10 prospect in the draft class (No. 5 by MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, No. 6 by ESPN and No. 9 by Fangraphs, but No. 20 by The Athletic). He made a name for himself on the showcase circuits and has a well-rounded profile. He has the power and speed combination that could make him a threat to become a 30-homer, 30-stolen base player. He’s solid defensively at shortstop and was the Miami Herald’s Dade 4A-1A Baseball Player of the Year this season after hitting .477 with nine home runs, 25 RBI and 52 runs scored for Gulliver as a senior.
Gio Rojas, first round, No. 16, Texas Rangers: The star left-handed pitcher and Miami Hurricanes commit became the first-ever first-round pick in Stoneman Douglas’ storied history.
MLB Pipeline called him “one of the top lefties, and best arms overall, available in the class, high school or college.” His arsenal includes a fastball that touches 98 mph with “outstanding riding life,” a low-80s sweeping slider “that is a true out pitch” and a changeup that can evolve into an effective third offering over time.
Rojas dominated as Stoneman Douglas’ ace during the past two seasons. His combined stats in his junior and senior seasons: A 24-1 record, a 0.66 ERA and 243 strikeouts against 33 walks over 137 innings en route to being the Miami Herald’s Broward Class 7A-5A Pitcher of the Year both seasons.
Justin Lebron, first round, No. 18, Cincinnati Reds: Lebron followed a stellar prep career at Archbishop McCarthy by hitting .313 with 45 home runs, 158 RBI and 172 runs scored during three seasons at Alabama. He stole 69 bases, including 42 in 43 attempts as a junior.
Rylan Lujo, fourth round, No. 189, Los Angeles Angels: Stoneman Douglas doubled up on its alumni who were taken in this year’s draft when Lujo heard his name called. The outfielder played two seasons collegiately, first as a freshman at Dayton and then at Georgia for his sophomore season, after winning four state championships at the prep level with Stoneman Douglas.
Lujo hit .347 with 17 home runs, 61 RBI and 68 runs scored this season with Georgia after hitting .361 as a freshman at Dayton. Defensively, he was a third baseman at Dayton before shifting to center field while at Georgia.
“Lujo has quality bat-to-ball skills and a patient approach,” reads his MLB Pipeline scouting report. “He rarely ventures out of the strike zone and makes repeated line-drive contact against all types of offerings, though he doesn’t walk very often. He tends to work fastballs from gap to gap and turn on secondary pitches, and he could enhance his 12-15 homer power if he learns to launch more balls in the air. Lujo uses his plus speed to beat out infield hits and steal bases.”
David Rossow, seventh round, No. 201, Athletics: The right-handed pitcher played his prep career at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. After spending his freshman season at Miami, he transferred to Campbell, where he ultimately became the team’s ace by his final season.
Rossow was named the CAA Pitcher of the Year and a third-team All-American in 2026 after going 10-2 with a 2.53 ERA across 16 appearances (13 starts). He struck out 104 batters in 81 2/3 innings.
Steven Gonzalez, 13th round, No. 383, Tampa Bay Rays: Gonzalez starred as a right-handed pitcher at Hialeah Mater Academy, helping lead the Lions to a Class 5A state semifinal appearance this year. He finished his senior season with a 1.83 ERA and 64 strikeouts against five walks over 42 innings.
Gonzalez is committed to Florida State.
Edwin Alicea, 14th round, No. 426, Detroit Tigers: Alicea, a left-handed pitcher, played high school ball at Florida Christian, then spent two seasons at Nova Southeastern before heading to USF for his junior season. He served as the Bulls’ Friday night starter in their weekend rotation and was second on the team in innings pitched (72 1/3) while tossing a team-high 60 strikeouts in 19 appearances (10 starts).
Chris Diaz, 14th round, No. 430, Seattle Mariners: Diaz, a right-handed pitcher, helped Miami Christian to a state championship as a junior in 2022 and was a captain his final two seasons with the Victors. He played his freshman season of college ball at Miami in 2024 before transferring to Florida Gulf Coast, where he pitched to a 3.52 ERA across 22 games (21 starts). He struck out 123 batters over 120 innings and threw three complete games, including two shutouts.
Javier Gorostola, 17th round, No. 501, Athletics: Gorostola followed a prep career at Florida Christian with three seasons at FGCU. He was first-team All-ASUN as a redshirt sophomore in 2026 after hitting .370 with 13 home runs, 57 RBI and 46 runs scored.
Ivan Sabater, 20th round, No. 593, Tampa Bay Rays: Sabater, a 6-1 righty and Miami Hurricanes commit out of West Broward High, was a Miami Herald first-team All-Broward selection as a senior after pitching to a 2.92 ERA with 80 strikeouts against 32 walks over 50 1/3 innings.
This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 7:55 PM.
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