PHILADELPHIA – UCF right-handed pitcher Braden Smith and outfielder John Smith III became the second and third Knights to be selected during the 2026 MLB Draft by being drafted in the 15th and 19th rounds, respectively, by the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets on Sunday afternoon.
Braden Smith and John Smith III joined UCF outfielder Andrew Williamson that was previously taken in the Second Round (Competitive Balance Round B) as the 68th pick of the draft on Saturday. The RHP Smith was the 440th pick of the draft by the Orioles while the outfielder Smith III was the 570th selection by the Mets.
With the two selections, UCF has now had 134 players drafted in program history. Williamson’s second-round selection marked the Black and Gold’s highest pick since 2004 and their second top-three-round pick in the past two years.
After playing his first two seasons at Division II Maryville University, Braden Smith came to UCF for his junior campaign in 2026. The right-handed pitcher had a strong junior campaign in which he was UCF’s Friday night starter until sustaining a season-ending injury in early April. Over eight starts for the Black and Gold on the mound, Smith went 3-1 with a 6.21 ERA over 33.1 innings of work. He struck out 23 batters while walking just nine. The native of Byron, Illinois, earned wins over Siena as well as Murray State and Arizona, which both made the Men’s College World Series the previous season. He was also named to the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Midseason Watch List.
Previously at Maryville, Smith earned D2CCA, ABCA and NCBWA All-Region honors during his sophomore season in 2025. He also earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference First Team honors that year after going 7-2 with a 3.52 ERA. Smith also struck out 79 batters that season while walking just 16 over 76.2 innings. He limited opposing hitters to a .256 average.
Primarily as a reliever during his freshman season in 2024, Smith went 1-1 with a save and a 6.75 ERA over 15 appearances. He also struck out 19 hitters while walking just nine over 32.0 innings.
John Smith III spent just his senior campaign with the Knights in 2026 after playing his first two years at Pensacola State College followed by a year at South Alabama. In 2026 in Orlando, Smith III earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors after having a big season for the Knights. The native of Apollo Beach, Florida, tied for second on the team with a .322 batting average. He also led the way with 49 RBIs. In 49 games played, Smith III put up 65 total hits on the year with 12 home runs, 13 doubles, one triple and 40 runs scored. He slugged .574 and led the team with a 23-game reached base safely streak and 12 multiple-RBI contests. He had a stretch in which he homered four times over four games, which included three home runs during a doubleheader at Utah on April 25.
During the 2025 season at South Alabama, he hit .314 with team-leading tallies of 60 hits and 42 runs scored. He also recorded seven home runs, eight doubles and 30 RBIs. Smith III led the team with 18 multi-hit games.
In 2024 as a sophomore, Smith III led Pensacola State with a .382 batting average and 31 extra-base hits with 17 doubles, 12 home runs and two triples. He also added 66 runs scored. 49 RBIs and nine stolen bases. During his freshman year in 2023, Smith III hit .261 with nine home runs, seven doubles, one triple, 32 RBIs and 41 runs scored. He also stole 18 bases during his freshman year.
With the three draftees this season, the Knights have now had at least one player drafted in each season since 1992.
UCF’S 2026 MLB DRAFT PICKS
Andrew Williamson, OF – 2nd Round (CB-B), Pick 68 – St. Louis Cardinals
Braden Smith, RHP – 15th Round, Pick 440 – Baltimore Orioles
John Smith III, OF – 19th Round, Pick 570 – New York Mets
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.
