Tracking the Florida Gators drafted to MLB in 2023

The 2023 Florida baseball team came up just one win shy of hoisting the College World Series Championship in June, which naturally led to a large wave of departures in the subsequent MLB draft.

Florida lost perhaps the most dangerous bat it’s ever had, both of its top arms, a lefty out of the bullpen, the left side of the infield and two players from the 2023 recruiting class. It definitely could have gone worse, but Kevin O’Sullivan still has his work cut out for him if UF is going to have a similar season in 2024.

Even though these losses are significant, Florida fans will still be cheering the former Gators on as they embark on their pro careers.

For those of you who can’t get enough baseball, here’s a look at how the Florida Gators selected in the 2023 MLB draft fared in Year 0.

Round 1, Pick 4: OF Wyatt Langford (Texas Rangers)

In the build-up to the draft, many believed that LSU‘s Dylan Crews or Paul Skenes would be the star of the draft, and while both were selected ahead of Langford — ultimately drafted fourth overall by the Texas Rangers — neither has performed quite as well as the former Florida left fielder.

Langford spent three games at the lowest level of the minors with Texas’ complex league team and was quickly promoted to High-A Hickory, skipping A ball entirely. After dominating the competition there, Langford moved on to Double-A and spent 12 games with the Frisco Roughriders. He finished the season at Triple-A, playing just five games, but there’s already talk of him joining the Rangers for a playoff push.

Across four levels, Langford batted .360 with a 1.157 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. He belted 10 home runs and knocked in 30 runs while snagging 12 bases. That’s about as complete a performance as you can give in the minors, and Langford’s 70-grade power and speed appear legitimate.

Gators fans have someone to be proud of, and it looks like Langford will reach the majors sooner rather than later. Godspeed, Wyatt.

Round 1, Pick 24: RHP Hurston Waldrep (Atlanta Braves)

Hurston Waldrep might have been Florida’s No. 2 all year on the mound, but the Braves took him with the 24th overall pick of the draft, which is shaping up to be a steal.

Waldrep also made his way to Triple-A, making eight starts across four levels (A, A+, AA, AAA). He struck out 41 batters over 29 1/3 innings pitched and put up a 1.19 WHIP and 1.53 ERA. That’s elite stuff. Of course, Waldrep is relying on his splitter a good amount. That pitch was touted as one of the most MLB-ready in all of college baseball, and Waldrep hasn’t disappointed.

The only concern right now is his walk rate, which is a bit elevated (over 11.1% at every level above Single-A. Waldrep could also make his debut as early as 2024.

Round 2, Pick 56: RHP Brandon Sproat (New York Mets)

Sproat was everything on the mound for Florida, but that meant he threw a ton of pitches over his final year of collegiate ball. As a result, the Mets opted to rest Sproat for the rest of the year after taking him in the second round. New York also drafted Sproat in 2022, but he chose not to sign and return to Florida.

Sproat should start at Single-A next year and has the potential to move up quickly. His biggest in problem in college was a lack of consistency and command. Those will be the focus early since the Mets know he has the stuff when at his best.

Round 3, Pick 81: SS Josh Rivera (Chicago Cubs)

Josh Rivera gambled on himself and returned to Florida to boost his draft stock last season and was rewarded with a third-round selection. The Chicago Cubs started him off in the complex league and then moved him to High-A after just three games.

Over 25 games in High-A, Rivera slashed .250/.320/.402 with two homers and 12 runs batted in. Those are modest numbers, but they certainly aren’t terrible for a guy getting his feet wet. Remember, it took Rivera a while to play to his full potential in college, and he’s still only 22. A promotion to Double-A next year would keep him on schedule to debut in the majors by late 2025 or early 2026.

Round 6, Pick 175: LHP Phillip Abner (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Left-hander Phillip Abner might have been the most reliable southpaw out of the bullpen for Florida this year. Although some thought he could return for another season, the Diamondback spent a sixth-round pick on Abner and he signed for just under $330,000.

Abner pitched four games for Arizona’s Single-A affiliate Visalia. His 5.40 ERA is a bit elevated, but the small sample size of 6 2/3 innings doesn’t paint the full picture, even if he is a reliever. We’ll get a better idea of who he is as a professional in his first full year.

Round 17, Pick 496: Colby Halter (Oakland Athletics)

Colby Halter waited until the 17th round to hear his name called, but it wasn’t too tough of a decision to sign with the Oakland Athletics in July.

Halter, who is elite defensively, slashed .455/.538/.576 over 11 games in the complex league, but he slowed down once moving to High-A. Over 23 games, Galter is batting just under the Mendoza line (.200) with a .552 OPS.

Skipping Single-A seems to have Halter in an adjustment period at the plate, but that’s expected in Year 0. The bat needs to improve to keep moving up the organization, but Halter doesn’t need to be an elite hitter to make an impact in MLB.

Round 3, Pick 72: RHP Steven Echavarria (Oakland Athletics)

Steven Echavarria might have been the most talented player in Florida’s 2023 recruiting class, but he’ll never take the mound for the Gators after signing with the Oakland Athletics as a third-round pick.

Echavarria has a long and projectable frame with a fastball that’s creeping up to the mid-90s. Oakland went over slot to sign Echavarria, but they’re keeping him safe. No action in 2023. Check back next year.

Round 18, Pick 529: IF/C Stone Russell (Kansas City Royals)

Another recruit that was swept up by the draft, infielder Stone Russell had a solid first season in the Kansas City Royals organization.

He slashed .269/.367/.462 over nine games. Again, small sample size, but these are 18-year-olds making a huge jump. Florida could have used Russell on the roster this year, but it looks like he made a decent choice by going pro.

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Story originally appeared on Gators Wire