OCALA, FL — College of Central Florida right-handed pitcher Lance Hartley was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 12th round with the 359th overall pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.

The 20-year-old righty from Cameron, West Virginia, had five appearances (four starts) for the Patriots this season before it was endd due to injury. Hartley posted a 2-0 record and a 3.38 ERA, allowing just six earned runs over 16.0 innings of work while striking out 22 batters and walking only five.

Before arriving in Ocala, Hartley began his collegiate career at WVU Potomac State College, where he racked up 54 strikeouts in 35.0 innings across 10 appearances. Heading into the draft, he was currently committed to transfer to the University of South Carolina. Now, he will have to weigh his commitment to the Gamecocks against starting his professional career in the Royals' farm system.

A Legacy of Pro Talent

Hartley's selection continues a proud tradition of professional development under Patriots head coach Marty Smith. The College of Central Florida has become a pipeline for MLB talent.

Since 2017, 11 Patriot players have been drafted directly out of the College of Central Florida, while dozens more have gone on to four-year programs before being drafted or signing professional contracts. Hartley is the latest addition to a recent surge of draft success for the Patriots; just last year, the program saw two pitchers selected in the 2025 MLB Draft (Joey Wimpelberg in the 17th round by Detroit, and Cory Geinzer in the 19th round by Texas).

The program's highest-profile recent success story is right-hander Nate Pearson, who was taken 28th overall in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and has since pitched in the majors for the Blue Jays, Cubs, and currenlty is on the Astros.