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Florida Baseball Makes Mark in 2026 MLB Draft

Fourth Round: Kevin Roberts Jr. (OF Commit) Selected No. 120 by the Baltimore Orioles  

The highest ranked of the four Florida recruits at the 2026 MLB Combine, Kevin Roberts Jr. went No. 120 to the Baltimore Orioles. 

Roberts spent his high school career at Jackson Prep in Jackson, Mississippi, becoming the No. 8 shortstop recruit in the nation, according to Perfect Game. In his senior year, he led the Patriots in runs (46), hits (40), RBIs (34), batting average (.396), home runs (10), on-base percentage (.591) and stolen bases (27).

His No. 120 draft pick carries a $711,800 slot value, and he’s the only member of the Florida 2026 signing class who didn’t enroll for the summer. 

Fourth Round: Russell Sandefer (RHP) Selected No. 132 by the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers made Russell Sandefer the second Gators pitcher drafted on Day One, taking him 132th overall. 

Sandefer played his first season as a Gator in 2026 after transferring from Central Florida. He made 19 mound appearances, including 12 starts, with 10 as part of the weekend rotation. 

Sanderfer ended 2026 with a 3-2 record and 4.61 ERA while holding batters to a .240 batting average across 57 innings pitched. The right-hander earned a spot on the 2026 NCAA Gainesville Regional All-Tournament Team after leaving Rider scoreless over 5 2/3 innings pitched during Florida’s 8-7 win over Rider.

Fifth Round: Luke McNeillie (RHP) Selected No. 152 by the New York Mets

The first Gator drafted on Day Two, pitcher Luke McNeillie was selected No. 152 by the New York Mets. 

McNeillie made 18 appearances on the mound in 2026, mainly in relief, and produced a career-low 3.97 ERA. He picked up a 3-0 record while striking out 48 batters against 17 walks. He secured the series win against Georgia on April 12 after throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings, fanning four batters behind three hits and walks. 

The right-hander joined Florida as a freshman in 2024 and has the option to return for his senior year. The No. 152 draft pick carries a $472,500 assigned slot value.

Fifth Round: Hayden Yost (OF) Selected No. 162 by the Seattle Mariners

Gators outfielder Hayden Yost didn’t enter the draft as part of the Top 250 MLB Prospect Rankings, but the Seattle Mariners drafted him with the 162nd pick Sunday. 

Yost saw the field 42 times in 2026, including 30 starts, and maintained a perfect fielding percentage across 70 defensive chances. 

His swing found power toward the tail end of the season, launching a career-high 10 home runs in his final 24 starts of the season. Yost produced the Gators’ lone three-homer performance during the team’s sweep of LSU on May 16, recording a season-high four hits and five runs batted in.

Yost can choose to return for his fourth season with Florida. His No. 162 draft pick holds a $429,100 assigned slot value.

Eighteenth Round: Blake Cyr (OF) Selected No. 548 by the New York Yankees 

Outfielder Blake Cyr went No. 548 to the New York Yankees as the last Florida player drafted.

Cyr spent his final two collegiate seasons with Florida after transferring from Miami ahead of the 2025 season. In 2026, he started in 56 games, setting career highs in batting average (.316), hits (68), runs (53) and doubles (15). He homered 14 times and led Florida with seven three-hit games. 

Defensively, Cyr stayed perfect until Florida’s season-ending 10-2 loss to Troy in the 2026 NCAA Gainesville Regional to finish 2026 with a .990 fielding percentage across 104 defensive chances, primarily as left fielder.