Padres Select Coleman Borthwick with 21st Overall Pick in MLB's 2026 First-Year Player Draft
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres selected right-handed pitcher Coleman Borthwick from South Walton High School (Fla.) with the 21st overall pick in MLB’s 2026 First-Year Player Draft, President of Baseball Operations & General Manager A.J. Preller and Vice President of Amateur and International Scouting Chris Kemp announced today.
Recommended by Padres Area Scout Clint Harrison, Borthwick, 18, helped lead South Walton (30-4) to their first ever Class 3A state championship in 2026, compiling a 11-0 record with a 0.21 ERA, striking out 121 batters against just seven walks in 65.2 innings pitched. The 2025-26 Gatorade Florida Baseball Player of the Year batted .460 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, 30 runs scored and a 1.498 OPS. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound right-hander was a 2025 18U World Cup gold medalist, earning tournament MVP honors behind 10.0 shutout innings, including a complete game shutout in the championship game versus Japan, while also hitting .300 with five RBI at the dish. Additionally, he was named the WBSC 2025 Baseball Player of the Year and the 2026 National High School Two-Way Player of the Year by Perfect Game.
The Padres have four more selections today (No. 60, No. 97, No .124 and No. 134).