Three former Senators taken in 2026 MLB Draft

MORRISTOWN, TN – Three former Senators heard their names called over the weekend, selected in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Taking place in Philadelphia during All-Star Weekend, former starting pitchers Gage Peterson, Tazwell Butler and Drew Horn were selected in the draft. Peterson's name was called in the seventh round, taken by the Washington Nationals, while Butler was selected by the Astros in the 10th round. Horn was drafted in the 12th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Peterson, Butler and Horn made it 30 draft picks for Walters State in the MLB Draft since head coach Dave Shelton took charge in 2014. Peterson was the first Senator selected by the Nationals since Cody Stubbs in 2011. Butler was the fifth Senator to be selected by the Astros, joining Bobby Falls (1981), Sam Moore (1982), James Cartwright (1986) and Cam Fisher (2023). Meanwhile, Horn was the fifth Senator taken by the Cardinals, joining Mike Martin (1993), Chris Costantino (2011), Cody Poarch (2011) and Deniel Ortiz (2024). 

Peterson played two seasons for the Senators from 2023-2025. During his freshman season, Peterson made 16 appearances, four starts, and went 4-2 with a 3.03 ERA. He struck out 43 batters in 29.2 innings. 

His sophomore season, Peterson broke into the starting rotation and finished the year with a 10-2 record. He had a 3.20 ERA and struck out 75 batters in 59 innings. Peterson helped lead the Senators to a second-place finish in the 2025 JUCO World Series, and he was named a 2025 All-TCCAA First Team member. 

For Butler, he played for Walters State from 2022-24. During those two seasons, Butler did not lose a game, going 10-0 with a 3.20 ERA. In his 32 appearances over the two seasons, Butler struck out 105 batters in 78.2 innings. He was named to the 2024 All-TCCAA Second Team. 

Horn played one season for Walters State, pitching in 2024. Horn made 16 appearances that season, going 1-3 with a 3.24 ERA. Horn struck out 39 batters in 25 innings and picked up one save.