Two Terps Hear Their Names Called: Brayden Martin, Lance Williams Selected in 2026 MLB Draft

By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog

The University of Maryland baseball program celebrated a milestone on the second day of the 2026 MLB Draft as two of its top performers officially began the next chapter of their baseball careers.

Right-handed pitcher Lance Williams was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round (247th overall), while infielder Brayden Martin was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th round (342nd overall). The pair became the latest Terrapins to join the professional ranks following standout collegiate careers in College Park.

While Maryland endured an up-and-down 2026 season, finishing 24-30 overall and 9-21 in Big Ten play, Williams and Martin consistently stood out as leaders on and off the field. Their selections continue the Terps’ growing reputation as one of the Big Ten’s premier producers of professional baseball talent.

Lance Williams: Electric Arm Headed to the Cubs

Williams arrived at Maryland after beginning his collegiate career at East Carolina and quickly established himself as one of the Terps’ top weekend starters.

The hard-throwing right-hander finished the 2026 season with:

• 57.0 innings pitched
• 69 strikeouts
• 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings
• Consistently worked in the mid-90s with a swing-and-miss fastball
• Showed the ability to overpower hitters despite pitching in one of college baseball’s toughest conferences.

Although the final ERA did not fully reflect his talent, professional scouts were intrigued by Williams’ raw stuff, athleticism, and upside. His fastball-slider combination generated plenty of swings and misses throughout the season, making him one of Maryland’s most intriguing draft prospects.

The Cubs have built one of baseball’s strongest player-development systems over the past several seasons, making Williams an intriguing fit. Chicago has consistently helped pitchers improve command while maximizing velocity and pitch design, something that could unlock another level in Williams’ game.

At 247th overall, the Cubs may have landed one of Day Two’s better pitching values.

Brayden Martin: One of Maryland’s Best Table Setters

Few players embodied consistency during their Maryland careers like Brayden Martin.

The versatile infielder became one of the most disciplined hitters in Terrapins history, finishing his collegiate career with:

• .314 career batting average
• .455 career on-base percentage
• Program-record 145 career walks
• Excellent strike-zone awareness
• Outstanding defensive versatility
• High baseball IQ and leadership qualities.

Martin’s ability to reach base made him one of the Big Ten’s toughest outs. His mature approach at the plate earned him an invitation to the prestigious MLB Draft Combine before the draft, further boosting his professional stock.

The Blue Jays have long valued hitters with elite plate discipline and defensive versatility, making Martin an ideal organizational fit. Toronto’s development system has produced numerous infielders capable of playing multiple positions, and Martin projects as another player who could climb the minor league ladder because of his complete skill set rather than overwhelming power.

Continuing Maryland’s MLB Pipeline

Maryland has quietly become one of the Big Ten’s strongest producers of professional baseball talent under head coach Matt Swope’s program, following years of success built under former coach Rob Vaughn.

Recent Terps drafted into professional baseball include players who have reached every level of the minor leagues, and Williams and Martin now add their names to that growing list.

Having two players selected in the same draft is another reminder that Maryland continues to attract and develop high-level talent capable of competing at the professional level.

Different Paths, Same Dream

Williams and Martin couldn’t be more different as players.

Williams overpowers hitters with velocity and strikeout stuff.

Martin wins with discipline, consistency, and baseball instincts.

Yet both earned their opportunity the same way—through years of development, hard work, and production in one of college baseball’s toughest conferences.

Now their professional journeys begin.

Williams will attempt to climb the Cubs’ pitching pipeline, while Martin begins his career in one of baseball’s most respected player-development organizations with the Blue Jays.

For Maryland baseball, their selections represent more than individual accomplishments. They reinforce that the Terrapins remain a destination for players with Major League aspirations and continue to produce talent capable of reaching the next level.

With two more Terps entering professional baseball, the future remains bright for the program in College Park.