Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Sproat delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at American Family Field this season. [Michael McLoone-Imagn Images]

Gators in MLB Playoffs: Down Season for UF Products

From chasing national championships to grinding for world championships, the Florida Gators baseball program has produced talent that is making an impact at the Major League level.

As October rolls around the baseball playing field shrinks from 30 teams to 12, the opportunity for good players to become greats is here. While many former UF players and their organizations fell short of this year’s playoffs, some coming down to Game 162, there are still several names to look out for this postseason.

The Milwaukee Brewers enter October hot after finishing their season with 103 wins, a franchise record. Former Florida pitcher Brandon Sproat made a significant contribution to this success after appearing in 22 games, 19 of those being starts. He finished the year with a 3-7 record and a below average 5.57 ERA and ultimately got optioned to Triple-A Nashville in September after a lack of consistency. While Sproat is not on Milwaukee’s active roster to begin the playoffs, things are still subject to change.

The Brewers quest for their first World Series title begins Saturday when they take on the winner of the Padres-Cubs Wild Card Series.

Atlanta locked up its seventh NL East title in the last nine years and are the three seed in the National League playoffs after finishing 94-68. Hurston Waldrep and Danny Young, two former UF pitchers, both made appearances for the Braves this season.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park on July 7. [Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images]

Waldrep’s season was almost entirely about injury and recovery. He suffered through an elbow surgery early in the season only allowing two starts for 10 2/3 innings while putting up an 8.44 ERA. Waldrep announced he will be getting Tommy John surgery.

Young falls into the same category as a pitcher who dealt a lot of 2026 with injury. He was placed on the 60-day injured list in April because of left-elbow reconstruction and returned in July. Young appeared in 15 games putting up an 0-1 record with a 6.35 ERA over 11 2/3 innings. Young was designated for assignment on Aug. 23 and is not scheduled to pitch for Atlanta this postseason.

Former Florida outfielder and young Rangers cornerstone Wyatt Langford helped Texas stay in the AL West race down to the final day, but in Game 162 the Rangers fell short. Because of injury, the Rangers left fielder had his season shortened to only 110 games compared to his previous two seasons yet still managed to bat .238 with 17 big flys, 44 RBIs and a .754 OPS.

Category: Gator Sports, Gators Baseball, MLB, MLB Playoffs