​Justin LeGuernic is set to embark on a professional baseball career after the Kansas City Royals selected the Clemson left-hander with the 180th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Sunday. His selection marks Clemson’s third player chosen in this year’s draft, joining Aidan Knaak and Blake Bryant. The pick carries a slot value of $367,600 before any bonus pool adjustments. LeGuernic had also earned an invitation to participate in the MLB Draft Combine prior to this year’s draft.
The Dix Hills, New York, native spent three seasons with Clemson, saving his strongest work for his junior campaign. Primarily deployed as a long reliever while also seeing action in late-inning situations, LeGuernic posted a 4-2 record with a 4.69 ERA over 19 appearances. He pitched 40.1 innings, struck out 50 batters, and logged 10 scoreless outings, providing Clemson with a trusted power arm out of the bullpen. His two highest strikeout totals came in games against Army West Point and Boston College, when he fanned six hitters in each contest. With 50 strikeouts, he finished third on the Tigers’ staff in that category behind Aidan Knaak and Michael Sharman.
LeGuernic’s Clemson career began in 2024, when he appeared in nine games and made one start as a freshman. He expanded his role in 2025, totaling 12 appearances, including six starts. While results were sometimes inconsistent, he delivered a standout performance against rival South Carolina, tossing four scoreless innings with six strikeouts to help Clemson complete a series sweep. Across three seasons, LeGuernic developed into one of the Tigers’ hardest-throwing pitchers. His fastball reached the upper 90s during the 2026 season, contributing to his emergence as one of Clemson’s premier bullpen arms. Although the NCAA’s new “5-in-5” eligibility rule would have allowed him to return for another year, the left-hander opted to begin his professional career with Kansas City.
LeGuernic’s ascent continues Clemson’s ongoing trend of producing professional pitchers. He became the seventh Clemson pitcher or pitching signee selected in the first seven rounds over the past three MLB Drafts and the 11th ACC pitcher chosen in this year’s draft. Scouts regard his sweeping slider as his best pitch, pairing it with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and peaks at 98 mph. His low arm slot adds deception, making him a challenging matchup for hitters. As he progresses through the minor leagues, refining his command and developing a reliable changeup will be important, but his power arsenal suggests the potential to evolve into a high-leverage reliever and perhaps even a starter if his secondary offerings continue to improve.
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