The first real surprise for the Gators in the 2026 MLB Draft came when Hayden Yost was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the fifth round with the 162nd overall pick. The 6’1, 200-pound outfielder was not included in Baseball America’s Top 500 draft prospects and was ranked as D1 Baseball’s No. 196 college prospect.
Yost is slotted for a signing bonus of $429,100.
As a junior in 2026, Yost played in 42 games including 30 starts, posting a slash line of .262/.369/.589 with a career-high .958 OPS. He also set career highs in slugging percentage (.589) and home runs (10).
All 10 of Yost’s home runs came in the final 24 games of the season, helping fuel Florida’s offensive resurgence. He finished the season with 10 home runs in 107 at-bats, averaging one homer every 10.7 at-bats.
Yost recorded three multi-home run games, including a three-homer performance against LSU on May 16.
The Tampa, Florida, native hit .284 and .259 during his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively, combining for four home runs and 18 doubles in 256 at-bats.
Over three years in Orange & Blue, he played in 134 games highlighted by 99 starts and batted .264/.381/.444 with 14 homers, 23 doubles, 77 runs and 65 RBI. Yost also swiped 21 bags in 27 attempts.
Yost is the fifth Gator to have his named called at this year’s MLB Draft, following teammates Liam Peterson (Round 1, Pick 19 – Cleveland Guardians), Kyle Jones (Round 3, Pick 102 – Milwaukee Brewers), RHP Russell Sandefer (Round 4, Pick 132), and Luke McNeillie (Round 5, Pick 152).
Yost marks the 236th individual draft choice in program history and the 121st of the Kevin O’Sullivan era (2008-present).