​Hundreds of aspiring baseball players will hear the phone ring with life-changing news this weekend as the MLB Draft unfolds. Among them will be a group of standout talents from Central Florida, and fans are eager to see which local stars will hear their names called. The question on everyone’s lips: how many players from the region will land in the draft’s early rounds or earn spots later in the weekend? We’re about to learn the answer.
Action is set to begin with the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday at 1 p.m. The opening rounds will proceed in four-block increments, with a brief pause after the first four rounds before play resumes at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday for Rounds 5-20. The draft schedule is designed to maximize coverage across platforms, giving fans multiple ways to track each selection as it happens.
Last year’s draft brought notable local representation, with five UCF Knights and four Stetson Hatters chosen, highlighting the depth of talent in the area. This year, there is strong anticipation around University of Central Florida outfielder Andrew Williamson, who is expected to be among UCF’s earliest selections. Bethune-Cookman also had a notable presence at the draft Combine, sending pitcher Pablo Torres to showcase his abilities in front of professional scouts.
As the selections unfold, fans will be able to follow their local prospects closely. The draft’s first day will feature rounds 1-4, with round-by-round coverage and designated broadcast windows: 1 p.m. for picks 1-10 (NBC/Peacock), 2:30 p.m. for picks 11-40 (MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV), and 4:30 p.m. for picks 41-135 (MLB.com, MLB.TV). Day two will focus on rounds 5-20, beginning at 11:30 a.m. and continuing with live updates across MLB platforms.
The coverage will also update in real-time as UCF, Bethune-Cookman, Stetson, or Volusia-Flagler high school players hear their names announced. The goal is to provide readers with a comprehensive, local-focused look at every prospect from the region who earns a draft slot, from early-round standouts to those who receive later-round opportunities.
This report originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal and has been tailored to enhance search visibility for readers seeking information about the 2026 MLB Draft, with a focus on Central Florida programs such as UCF, Bethune-Cookman, and Stetson. The weekend’s selections will be tracked closely as local talents transition from collegiate programs to professional careers.