2026 MLB Draft Profile: Hunter Dietz

Leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, Fish On First brings you a series of scouting reports on top prospects in this draft class who could realistically wind up in Miami.

Overview

Position: LHP

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 235 pounds

School: Arkansas

Hunter Dietz is a 6’6”, 235-pound left-handed pitcher who plays for the University of Arkansas. Dietz had one of the biggest breakout seasons in all of college baseball last season, elevating his draft stock in the process.

Coming out of high school, Dietz was an elite prospect from Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater, Florida. On Perfect Game, Dietz was the 57th-ranked prospect and the seventh-ranked left-handed pitcher in the Class of 2023. He was also named a Perfect Game All-American. Dietz went undrafted in 2023 and honored his commitment to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

During his first two seasons at Arkansas, Dietz hardly pitched for the Razorbacks due to injuries. In his freshman season, Dietz suffered a stress fracture in his elbow and only made two appearances. He made another two appearances in his redshirt freshman season due to an injury-plagued season.

In his redshirt sophomore season, Dietz was finally healthy and made a huge impression on the college baseball world. Dietz made sixteen appearances and starts. He posted a 7-4 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9, 13.8 K/9, a .221 opponent batting average, and a 36.2% strikeout rate. He was also named First Team All-SEC and a Third Team All-American on Baseball America.

On the mound, Dietz possesses a four-pitch arsenal including his fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and tops out at 98 mph. Dietz’s slider is his best secondary pitch. His slider sits in the upper-80s and is highly effective against left-and-right-handed batters. The slider recorded a 50% whiff rate against both types of hitters last season.

Dietz also throws a low-80s curveball, which is effective against right-handed batters. Dietz does need to improve on his changeup. He has good control on his pitches, but needs to improve on his command.

Strengths

• Two 60-grade pitches
• High K% and low BB%
• Strike-thrower
• Excellent 2026 season
• Ideal frame for starting pitcher

Weaknesses

• Injury history
• Hardly pitched in college

Pro Comparison: Jon Lester

Projection: Top 20 pick

Bottom Line

If Hunter Dietz didn’t have such a long injury history, he would be off the board early. On MLB Pipeline, Dietz is the 17th-ranked prospect and the #1 collegiate left-handed pitching prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft. Dietz is the 24th-ranked draft prospect on ESPN and the 35th-ranked prospect on Baseball America.

The Marlins will have the 14th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft and should be able to grab one of the top prospects in this draft class. I think it would be a high-risk, high-reward decision if the Marlins selected Dietz.