2026 MLB Draft Tracker: Florida Gators Signings
Florida’s 2026 MLB Draft class continues to finalize their professional futures, with signings rolling in throughout July. From Karson Bowen’s under-the-radar UDFA deal with the Rangers to Kyle Jones’s third-round contract with the Brewers, five of Florida’s six draftees have now inked pro deals.
Here’s a look at where each Gator has landed, and how their contracts stack up against their assigned draft slot values.
Florida Outfielder Kyle Jones Signs with Milwaukee Brewers
Kyle Jones’s college career is in the books. The Florida outfielder signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday after Milwaukee tabbed him in the third round of this year’s MLB Draft.
Jones landed a $675,000 signing bonus for the deal, per MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis. a shade under the $770,600 slot assigned to his draft position, the 102nd overall selection.
Over two years in Gainesville, Jones hit .317 and reached base at a .414 clip, chipping in six homers, 17 doubles, a triple and 48 RBIs across 62 appearances. A shoulder surgery wiped out the back half of his 2025 season, meaning the bulk of that production came in a single redshirt-sophomore campaign.
Florida Catcher Karson Bowen Signs with Texas Rangers
Florida baseball catcher Karson Bowen didn’t hear his name called during the 2026 MLB Draft but still found his way to the pros, signing a free agent contract with the Texas Rangers Monday.
He will start his professional career in Surprise, Arizona, as a member of the rookie-level ACL Rangers of the Arizona Complex League. Bowen followed right-handed pitcher Nick Pogue’s path, becoming the first Florida player since 2022 to sign a UDFA, which doesn’t count against an organization’s signing bonus if the player signs for below $150,000.
Florida Pitcher Luke McNeillie Signs With New York Mets
Despite being offered to return to the Gators for one more year, former Florida baseball pitcher Luke McNeillie finalized his deal with the New York Mets over the weekend.
The Mets selected the right-handed pitcher in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB draft. Selected No. 152 overall, McNeillie was given a slot value of $472,500. The Mets finalized a contract Sunday that offers him $497,500, which is $25,000 over the slot value for his pick.
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.
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.
Dodgers Ink Former Florida Pitcher Russell Sandefer for $434,000
Former Florida Gator Baseball pitcher Russell Sandefer is officially headed to the pros.
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the right-handed pitcher in the fourth round of the MLB draft last weekend. Selected No. 132 overall, the Tampa native was assigned a slot value of $575,300. After signing Friday with the Dodgers, he agreed to a professional contract worth $434,000. The deal is valued at $141,300 below the assigned draft slot value.
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Baseball
