Gators’ RHP Brandon Sproat was selected by the New York Mets with the 56th overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, making the Pace, Florida native the 15th highest drafted pitcher in program history.
The second-round draft pick marks the third time Sproat has been selected in the MLB Draft (90th in 2022, 205th in 2019) and the second time by the New York Mets (90th in 2022).
After not reaching an agreement with the Mets in 2022, Sproat returned to Gainesville and served as Florida’s Friday night starter for the majority of the 2023 season. The hard throwing right hander worked to a 8-3 record while posting a 4.66 ERA across 19 starts. Sproat struck out 134 batters in 106 innings, holding opponents to a .222 batting average last season.
Over the course of his four-year Gators’ career, Sproat posted a 4.27 ERA across 223.2 innings.
Sproat’s selection marks the second Florida pitcher off the board in the 2023 MLB Draft (Hurston Waldrep No.24) and the third Gator in the first 56 picks.
WHAT THE METS ARE GETTING IN SPROAT
Sproat brings a plus fastball that can touch 100 MPH early in games and a changeup that’s MLB ready right now. If Sproat can get a little more movement on his fastball while developing another high-level off-speed pitch, Sproat could develop into an MLB level pitcher.
What They’re Saying About Sproat
MLB Pipeline
“Sproat looks the part with his 6-foot-3 frame and has a potential four-pitch mix to use to get hitters out. He’s flirted with triple digits in the past – his fastball averaged close to 96 mph in 2022 and he was once again in the 94-98 mph range this fall. He does have distinct breaking pitches, with a mid-80s slider a potential true out pitch that misses a ton of bats and a slower get-me-over type of curve. He has feel for a mid-80s changeup that he doesn’t throw as much, but it could be a fourth at least average pitch. The right-hander made strides in finding the strike zone last year and showed solid command in fall ball, though his fastball can be too straight at times and he gets hit more than he should given his stuff.”
Baseball America
“Sproat has a solid pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and moves well on the mound with a long arm stroke and low, three-quarter slot. He throws hard and averaged 96 mph with his fastball this spring, touching 100-101 mph at best, though the pitch has below-average life and has always played down from that velocity. His go-to secondary in 2023 was a firm, upper-80s changeup with huge arm-side fading life that looked like a plus pitch, and he’s also earned plus grades on his mid-80s slider in the past. In addition to the two-plane breaking slider, Sproat has a slower curveball that is more of a fringe-average pitch. While Sproat will turn 23 shortly after the draft, he’s had a strong year, still flashes loud stuff and should be selected in the first three rounds once again.
CAREER ACCOLADES
2023 Second Team All-SEC
2022 Southeast-ABCA/Rawlings Second Team All-Region
2022 NCAA Gainesville Regional All-Tournament Team
2022 SEC Pitcher of the Week (March 7)
2022 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2021 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team
2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2020 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll