Meet the Gators: Liam Peterson & Luke McNeillie
Friday, November 3, 2023 | Baseball
Starring in this week's Meet the Gators installment are right-handed pitchers Liam Peterson and Luke McNeillie. Out of Calvary Christian in Palm Harbor, Fla., Peterson will rock No. 12 for the Gators while McNeille, who graduated from Milton High School in Milton, Ga., will rep No. 9.
Headlining Florida's 2023 incoming class, Peterson ranks as the No. 34 overall recruit by Perfect Game on top of being the No. 8 overall player and No. 2 right-handed pitcher in the state of Florida. McNeillie follows closely behind as PG's No. 89 recruit nationally while holding status as the No. 10 player and No. 2 right-hander in Georgia.
Prior to their arrivals in Gainesville, Peterson and McNeillie ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 85 and No. 109 prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft, respectively.
Peterson was honored as the Class 3A Player of the Year in 2023, powering Calvary Christian to a State Championship his senior season. During his junior and senior campaigns, Peterson made 24 appearances including 12 starts and pitched to a 10-2 record with seven saves. Across 76 2/3 innings from 2022-23, he delivered an outstanding 1.28 ERA and 16.7 strikeouts per nine.
Peterson also held his own as a two-way player in high school, slashing .446/.518/.719 with seven homers, 15 doubles, 59 RBI and 35 runs. As a senior, he batted .484/.550/.774 with five homers and 43 RBI — ranking third in the state in runs driven in.
Having also competed for the Top Tier Roos and Kangaroo Court Roos, Peterson was named to 13 different Perfect Game all-tournament teams during his prep career. He was also a four-time PG Preseason All-Region honoree in addition to being invited to the 2022 PG National Showcase and All-American Classic.
Like Peterson, McNeillie was a four-time Perfect Game Preseason All-Region standout in high school. Lettering under Head Coach Jeff Heusing at Milton, he was named to the 2023 All-Region 6-7A First Team in his senior season.
McNeillie has already showcased his talents in front of Gator fans this fall, working a scoreless inning against Georgia on Oct. 27. The righty struck out one Bulldog and did not allow a hit in his lone frame.
McNeillie also played for the Georgia Bombers during his high school days, collecting over 20 various all-tournament team accolades at PG events. Additionally, he was named to four showcase top prospect teams as well as receiving an invite to the PG Junior and Senior National Showcases.
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Headlining Florida's 2023 incoming class, Peterson ranks as the No. 34 overall recruit by Perfect Game on top of being the No. 8 overall player and No. 2 right-handed pitcher in the state of Florida. McNeillie follows closely behind as PG's No. 89 recruit nationally while holding status as the No. 10 player and No. 2 right-hander in Georgia.
Prior to their arrivals in Gainesville, Peterson and McNeillie ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 85 and No. 109 prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft, respectively.
Peterson was honored as the Class 3A Player of the Year in 2023, powering Calvary Christian to a State Championship his senior season. During his junior and senior campaigns, Peterson made 24 appearances including 12 starts and pitched to a 10-2 record with seven saves. Across 76 2/3 innings from 2022-23, he delivered an outstanding 1.28 ERA and 16.7 strikeouts per nine.
Liam Peterson will be a key piece for @GatorsBB and will log meaningful innings.
Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) October 27, 2023
This freshman righty is a player to watch pic.twitter.com/ly1BykB76E
Peterson also held his own as a two-way player in high school, slashing .446/.518/.719 with seven homers, 15 doubles, 59 RBI and 35 runs. As a senior, he batted .484/.550/.774 with five homers and 43 RBI — ranking third in the state in runs driven in.
Having also competed for the Top Tier Roos and Kangaroo Court Roos, Peterson was named to 13 different Perfect Game all-tournament teams during his prep career. He was also a four-time PG Preseason All-Region honoree in addition to being invited to the 2022 PG National Showcase and All-American Classic.
Like Peterson, McNeillie was a four-time Perfect Game Preseason All-Region standout in high school. Lettering under Head Coach Jeff Heusing at Milton, he was named to the 2023 All-Region 6-7A First Team in his senior season.
McNeillie has already showcased his talents in front of Gator fans this fall, working a scoreless inning against Georgia on Oct. 27. The righty struck out one Bulldog and did not allow a hit in his lone frame.
Luke McNeillie ('23 GA), #Florida commit, working the corners in the starting spot. Producing lots of weak contact; FB 88-92 with ASR, SL ~77 with heavy snap. Top RHP in '23 class. #PGDraft #SEElite pic.twitter.com/4fMDnsKcmT
— Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) June 1, 2023
McNeillie also played for the Georgia Bombers during his high school days, collecting over 20 various all-tournament team accolades at PG events. Additionally, he was named to four showcase top prospect teams as well as receiving an invite to the PG Junior and Senior National Showcases.
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#GoGators
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