With the 2023 MLB Draft set to kick off on July 9th at 7:00 PM EST, a handful of Florida Gators are hoping to hear their name called by one of the 30 big league teams throughout the three day, 20 round draft.
Live from Seattle, Wash., the MLB Draft will again be part of All-Star Week with the first and second rounds airing on ESPN and MLB Network this Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET. Day two of the draft is scheduled for Monday, July 10 and includes Rounds 3-10. Day three takes place on Tuesday, July 11, as the draft concludes with Rounds 11-20. Days two and three can be tracked via MLB.com.
Dating back to the inaugural year of the MLB Draft in 1965, Florida has seen 216 individuals combine for 244 draft selections, including 17 first-round picks (23 counting the draft’s secondary phase). Florida’s MLB Draft history has been even more impressive in the Kevin O’Sullivan era, boasting 99 draft selections and 11 first-round picks – which ranks second nationally. Developing hurlers has been a major calling card of the program across the past 16 seasons, producing 26 draft picks on the mound since 2008. Most impressively, 20 of those arms were selected in the first-five rounds – a total which comes in at third in all of college baseball.
OF WYATT LANGFORD
The Gators’ outfielder is one of the top storylines in all of the 2023 MLB draft. Langford is unanimously listed as a top three prospect and is in the mix for the No.1 overall pick along with LSU prospects Dylan Crews and Paul Skeens. If the two-time All-American is selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the No.1 overall pick, Langford would be the first Gator selected first overall in any major sports draft. The Trenton, Florida native is looking to become the highest draft pick in Gator baseball history, passing catcher Mike Zunino – 2012: Round 1, Pick 3 (Seattle Mariners).
RHP HURSTON WALDREP
Hurston Waldrep is projected to join Wyatt Langford as a first-round pick on Sunday night. If both go within the initial-17 selections, it will mark the earliest two Gators have ever gone off the board in the MLB Draft, topping Jonathan India and Brady Singer who went in the first 18 picks in 2018. Waldrep is projected as a mid-first round selection, but many view the Thomasville, Georgia native as the second-best collegiate pitcher in the draft.
RHP BRANDON SPROAT
The hard throwing right hander is looking to hear his name called in the MLB Draft for the third time (90th in 2022, 205th in 2019). Sproat is considered a top 60 prospect across all major rankings entering Sunday night’s draft.
SS JOSH RIVERA
After going undrafted in 2021, fourth year shortstop Josh Rivera looks the part of an early round draft selection in the upcoming MLB Draft. The Avon Park native slashed 19 home runs in 2023, the most by a Gators’ middle infielder in program history. Rivera’s age and a deep shortstop class are likely keeping Rivera out of the first round, but the 2023 All-American should hear his name called in the second or third round. Only four Florida shortstops have ever gone in the first-two rounds or within the top-100 selections: Richie Martin (20th in 2015), Brady McConnell (44th in 2019) and Richard Trapp (44th in 1968).
OTHER NAMES TO WATCH
Additional Gators found on various MLB Draft rankings across the industry include infielder Colby Halter, southpaw Philip Abner, righty Ryan Slater, utilityman Tyler Shelnut, and catcher BT Riopelle.
Where They Rank
MLB Pipeline
No. 3: OF Wyatt Langford
No. 19: RHP Hurston Waldrep
No. 54: RHP Brandon Sproat
No. 87: SS Josh Rivera
Baseball America
No. 3: OF Wyatt Langford
No. 18: RHP Hurston Waldrep
No. 48: RHP Brandon Sproat
No. 60: SS Josh Rivera
No. 456: INF Colby Halter
Prospects Live
No. 3: OF Wyatt Langford
No. 16: RHP Hurston Waldrep
No. 45: RHP Brandon Sproat
No. 213: SS Josh Rivera
No. 256: INF Colby Halter
No. 344: LHP Philip Abner
No. 385: RHP Ryan Slater
HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES TO WATCH OUT FOR
Florida has 17 signees from the high school ranks in the 2023, many of which have the opportunity to hear their name called throughout the three-day draft.
2023 top prospects
RHP Liam Peterson – PG Rank: No. 34, No.8 RHP
RHP Steven Echavarria – PG Rank: No. 40, No.10 RHP
RHP Luke McNeillie – PG Rank: No.89, No. 23 RHP
RHP Christian Rodriguez – PG Rank: No.98, No.25 RHP