Checking in on Florida alumnus Franco Aleman's 2026 MLB season

Former Florida baseball pitcher Franco Aleman is just starting his professional career. He is proving himself to be a solid option as a rookie in the Guardians' bullpen so far in the 2026 campaign.

Aleman's rise through the minor leagues has showcased his potential as a reliever, with his ball velocity and strikeout ability making him a valuable asset for Cleveland. As he continues adjusting to the highest level of baseball, the former Gator is proving why he remains one of Florida's more promising recent pitching products.

This season, Aleman has appeared in 11 games, posting a 1.54 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, and 0.2 fWAR across 11.2 innings. He has recorded 11 strikeouts and five walks, good for a 23.9% strikeout rate and 10.9% walk rate.

Aleman has leaned heavily on his four-seam fastball (66% usage), which averages 96.5 mph, landing him in the 81st percentile among major league pitchers. He also mixes in a slider (25%) that averages 86.2 mph along with a changeup (9%) that clocks in at 88.4 mph — both providing a strong separation in velocities from the fastball — to keep hitters off balance.

The Cleveland Guardians are currently in the wild card hunt with a record of 54-53.

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Checking in on Florida alumnus Franco Aleman's 2026 MLB season