2026 MLB Draft Spotlight: Central Florida Outfielder Andrew Williamson

The anticipation for the 2026 MLB Draft is building as teams prepare to make their selections, with the first round set to begin on July 11. Among the prospects drawing attention is Andrew Williamson, an outfielder from Central Florida, who could be a key target for the Texas Rangers, who hold the 16th overall pick.

Standing at 6 feet and weighing 195 pounds, Williamson is a left-handed hitter who went undrafted in 2023 after graduating from St. Petersburg, Florida. As he approaches his 21st birthday later this month, he is looking to make a significant impact in the upcoming draft.

Williamson is known for being a well-rounded player, possessing a decent hit tool that some scouts consider good but not exceptional. While there are concerns about a hitch in his swing that might lead to timing issues at the professional level, his amateur performance has not shown any significant setbacks. Baseball America notes that he makes sound swing decisions, although he will need to refine his pitch recognition to succeed at the next level. Despite his relatively modest size, Williamson demonstrates impressive power, particularly when pulling the ball, and MLB Pipeline highlights his quick swing and strong bat speed.

Initially playing center field during his freshman year, Williamson has primarily transitioned to right field since then. It’s likely he will continue to play right in the long term, although he may be given opportunities in center field until he proves otherwise. His good speed has translated into a strong baserunning track record during his college career.

In his freshman season at Central Florida, Williamson posted a slash line of .258/.333/.411 over 176 plate appearances across 50 games. His performance that summer in the Cal Ripken League was particularly noteworthy, earning him MVP honors with an impressive .462/.546/.906 line and nine home runs in just 29 games. Building on that success, Williamson excelled in his sophomore year, hitting .352/.448/.662 with 13 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 261 plate appearances over 55 games, striking out 36 times while drawing 34 walks. This season, he continued to shine, slashing .322/.422/.645, with 41 walks against 47 strikeouts and hitting 16 home runs.

In terms of rankings, Baseball America places Williamson at 47th on their board, while MLB Pipeline has him at 52nd. Kiley McDaniel lists him at 43rd in his top 150, though he does not appear on the boards of Keith Law, Fangraphs, or Baseball Prospectus.

As the nephew of former major leaguer Sean Rodriguez, Williamson showcases a balanced skill set without any glaring weaknesses. However, his tools are generally rated around 50 or 55, with Baseball America giving his hit tool a 45. If he can address the concerns surrounding his swing and pitch recognition, he has the potential to develop into a solid major league corner outfielder. Conversely, if these issues remain unresolved, he may not possess the tools necessary to secure a regular spot in the majors.

Given his strong performance in the Big 12 and success in wood bat leagues, Williamson appears to be a reliable pick for the second or third rounds, making him a viable candidate for the Rangers as they look to bolster their roster in the upcoming draft.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.