The 2026 MLB Draft is approaching, and several Gators are expected to be selected. The two-day event begins July 11, with Rounds 1-4 taking place Saturday before concluding with Rounds 5-20 on Sunday.
Let’s take a look at where Florida’s draft-eligible players rank on prospect lists across various publications.
MLB’s Top 250 Prospect Rankings
No. 20: RHP Liam Peterson
No. 135: OF Kyle Jones
No. 177: RHP Russell Sandefer
No. 185: RHP Luke McNeillie
No. 249: INF Ethan Surowiec
Baseball America Top 500
No. 20: RHP Liam Peterson
No. 72: OF Kyle Jones
No. 182: RHP Russell Sandefer
No. 207: RHP Luke McNeillie
No. 247: INF Ethan Surowiec
No. 417: OF Jaden Bastian
No. 429: RHP/DH Caden McDonald
Baseball America Top-75 College Seniors
No. 60: OF Blake Cyr
D1Baseball Top 250 (College Only)
No. 14: RHP Liam Peterson
No. 71: RHP Russell Sandefer
No. 75: INF Ethan Surowiec
No. 86: RHP Luke McNeillie
No. 124: OF Kyle Jones
No. 196: OF Hayden Yost
No. 200 RHP/DH Caden McDonald
High school signees to look out for
Florida has at least a handful of high school signees who could opt to begin their professional careers and forgo their collegiate eligibility by signing with an MLB organization. Three of those prospects appear on MLB’s Top 250 Prospects rankings.
No. 136 INF Kevin Roberts Jr.
No. 163 OF Brady Harris
No. 169 RHP Brady Snow
Two additional signees not included on the list are worth keeping an eye on.
Colin White, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound left-handed pitcher from Powder Springs, Georgia, boosted his draft stock with an impressive showing at the MLB Draft Combine. Florida’s most recent signee, outfielder Braylen Montgomery, is another player who could hear his name called. Montgomery is ranked as a top-100 high school prospect and the No. 1 player in Louisiana.
Analysis, predictions, and notes
All of Florida’s draft-eligible players, with the exception of senior outfielder Blake Cyr, have eligibility remaining. That means each of the listed players has the option to return to college, even if drafted, provided they do not sign with an MLB organization.
As of now, I expect Liam Peterson, Kyle Jones, Russell Sandefer, and Luke McNeillie to sign professionally. I believe Ethan Surowiec, who recently re-signed with Florida Victorious, will return to Gainesville for his junior season. I also expect Hayden Yost, Caden McDonald, and Jaden Bastian to return to Florida.
Predicting whether high school signees make it to campus is nearly impossible, as every situation is different. What we do know is that at least five Florida high school signees have generated legitimate draft buzz.
Kevin Roberts Jr. and Brady Harris were once viewed as potential first-round picks, although their draft stock appears to have slipped in recent months, making it more likely they end up in Gainesville. Still, the draft is unpredictable, and anything can happen. That applies to both high school and college prospects.
Since the MLB Draft began in 1965, Florida has produced 231 draft picks who have been selected 261 total times, including 20 first-round selections (26 when including the draft’s secondary phase). The Gators’ success in the draft has continued under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan, who has led the program since 2008. During his tenure, Florida has had 116 players selected, including 14 first-round picks — the second-most nationally. O’Sullivan has had 23 pitchers selected in the first five rounds since 2008, the third-most in college baseball.
Florida has had at least one player selected in the MLB Draft every year since 1997, with the exception of the COVID-shortened 2020 Draft.