Riley McDonald Taken in 20th Round of MLB Draft

BRADENTON, Fla. – State College of Florida right-handed pitcher Riley McDonald has been selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 20th round of the 2026 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, becoming the latest Manatee to continue his baseball career at the professional level.

McDonald capped off an outstanding 2026 campaign as one of SCF's most dependable arms, excelling in both the bullpen and the starting rotation. The right-hander appeared in 21 games, logging 63.2 innings while striking out 58 batters. After serving as one of the Manatees' most trusted relievers throughout much of the season, McDonald transitioned into the starting rotation down the stretch and delivered several key performances.

His signature outing came in an elimination game against Northwest Florida State College, where McDonald turned in a dominant performance by pitching eight innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 10 batters to keep the Manatees' postseason hopes alive.

McDonald's selection continues an impressive run of Major League Baseball Draft success for the State College of Florida baseball program. In 2025, former Manatee Liam Best was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals, while Brandon Clarke became the first junior college player chosen in the fifth round of the 2024 MLB Draft when he was selected by the Boston Red Sox. Former SCF pitcher Duke McCarron, a member of the 2025 Manatees squad, was also drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 17th round.

McDonald's selection further highlights the continued success of the SCF baseball program in developing student-athletes for the next level and adds another professional milestone to the Manatees' growing tradition of producing Major League talent.