Gators Outfielder Hayden Yost Signs with Seattle Mariners

Gators outfielder Hayden Yost was selected in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB Draft, signing with the Seattle Mariners Friday.

His pick came as a surprise for many, as Yost was not projected to be a top-250 prospect. His pick value was not available at the Mariners’ press time, but the slot value for the 162nd pick is $429,100.

Yost attended Sickles High School in Tampa before taking his talents to Gainesville in 2023.

With a .264 career batting average at Florida with 14 dingers, Yost impacted Florida baseball, known for having an answer when his name was called. His bat started to show at LSU in the final conference series of the regular season. Yost had four hits and produced five RBI in Florida’s 15-11 win. Momentum continued into the 2026 SEC Baseball Tournament, where Yost had three hits across four at bats in the game against Vanderbilt.

Yost was also active in the outfield as a large part of Florida’s defense, producing a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage across 137 total chances.

Slashing .284 in his freshman campaign, Yost tore his ACL before the final regular season conference series. His offseason was spent in rehab.

“It was challenging to not play baseball and have to go through the … rehab before getting back on the field,” Yost said.

The season following his ACL tear was one of his best. Yost appeared in 60 games, hitting four home runs and 13 doubles. He credits the Cape Cod League, a collegiate summer wooden bat league, for his improvements at the plate. Yost had 107 at bats and homered three times in the Cape Summer 2025.

“It was pretty cool, not many people get to go there,” Yost said. “It really is its own baseball league where you get to just play every day and not worry about school.”

Five of Florida’s six drafted players have signed professional contracts. The 2026 MLB Draft makes this the second Yost brother to be drafted, with his younger brother Jordan being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the first round last year.

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Baseball, MLB