Uncovering the Gators' Baseball Prospects
Former Gators in the MLB
Last season, Florida boasted the second-most MLB players among colleges and universities, with a remarkable 8. Historically, the Gators also hold the eighth-most first-round draft picks with 14. This showcases the program's consistent production of top talent.Barco, drafted 44th overall in the 2022 MLB draft, has pitched in 27 games, posting a 3.31 ERA and striking out 111 batters. Currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve, he had a 4-2 record last season with a 3.27 ERA and 83 strikeouts. Spending three seasons as a Gator, he finished with a 17-5 record and a 3.18 ERA, striking out 189 batters. Recognized as a Freshman All-American and ranked as the No.1 pitcher in college baseball, Barco's journey is a testament to the Gators' baseball prowess.
Waldrep, after playing two seasons at Southern Miss, spent the 2023 season at Florida. Drafted 24th overall in the 2023 MLB draft, he appeared in two games for the Atlanta Braves in 2024, allowing 13 earned runs over seven innings (16.71 ERA) and striking out only three batters. Through two seasons in the minors, he has a 3.01 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 27 appearances. As a Gator, he holds the program's all-time career record in K/9 (strikeouts per nine innings) and struck out the second-most batters in a single season (156), missing the record by just one strikeout. In 2023, he finished with a 10-3 record and a 4.16 ERA.
Other Notable Gators
Caglianone, drafted in 2024, has played 29 games with the Quad City Bandits of the High-A Midwest League. With a.241 batting average, two home runs, and 14 RBI's in the minors, he also played with the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, hitting for a.236 average with 5 home runs and 21 RBI's. During his time at Florida, he set the career home run record (75), career slugging percentage record (.760), and tied the program's all-time longest hitting streak (30 games). In 2024, he was recognized as the John Olerud two-way player of the year and an All-SEC first team selection, despite not being used as a pitcher at the minor league level.Fabian, drafted 67th overall in the 2022 MLB draft, has a batting average of.228 and OPS of.767 through two seasons in the minors. With 982 at-bats, he has hit 47 home runs and 155 RBI's. Currently with the Baltimore Orioles Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, he finished last season with a.215 batting average, 20 home runs, and 65 RBI's. Through four seasons at Florida, he finished with 56 home runs, 140 RBI's, and 24 stolen bases over 695 career at-bats. In 2021, he was a First-Team All-SEC selection and an All-SEC Defensive team selection.
Neely, drafted 86th overall in the 2024 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox, has yet to play in the minor leagues. Assigned to the FCL Red Sox on Dec. 12, through three seasons at Florida, he struck out 254 batters while finishing with a 4.24 ERA. He finished his career sixth all-time in program history in saves with 19.
Scott, drafted 142nd overall in the 2021 MLB draft, has struck out 240 batters and amassed a 3.21 ERA in the minor leagues. Finishing the season in the MLB with the Mets after spending most of 2024 with New York's Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Mets, he has played in nine games with a 4.56 ERA and striking out nine batters. Through two seasons at Florida, he finished with a 3.72 ERA, 111 strikeouts, and a 12-5 career record.
Recent Draft Picks Making an Impact
After being the 56th overall pick in the 2023 draft, former Gator pitcher Brandon Sproat has impressed in his limited minor league action. Last season, he saw action in 24 games, finishing with a 7-4 record and a 3.40 ERA with 131 strikeouts. Through four seasons at Florida, he posted a 19-8 record, a 4.27 ERA, and 242 strikeouts. In 2023, he was an All-SEC second-team selection and named the SEC pitcher of the week on two separate occasions (March 20, May 1).Thompson, selected with the 31st overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft after two seasons at the University of Florida, has a.270 career batting average with 29 home runs and 123 RBI's in the minor leagues. Spending the 2024 season with the Hartford Yard Goats, the Rockies Double-A affiliate, he finished with a.245 batting average, 13 home runs, and 57 RBI's. While at Florida, he posted a.332 career batting average with 16 home runs and 78 RBI's through his two seasons, and was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team and the SEC All-Tournament team.
The Florida Gators baseball program continues to produce exceptional players who make their mark at both the college and professional levels, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.