Florida’s six 2026 MLB Draft picks signed for a combined total of $6,699,475 this July.
By: Sullivan Bortner
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Seven Florida Gators have officially agreed to terms on professional deals with Major League Baseball organizations in advance of the 5 p.m. ET signing deadline on Monday, July 27.
Headlined by first-round pick Liam Peterson's full-slot signing bonus of $4.53 million with the Cleveland Guardians, Florida's six MLB draftees signed for a combined total of $6,699,475. The Orange & Blue's other five draftees were outfielder Kyle Jones (Milwaukee Brewers: $675,000), right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer (Los Angeles Dodgers: $431,475), right-hander Luke McNeillie (New York Mets: $497,500), outfielder Hayden Yost (Seattle Mariners: $415,000) and outfielder Blake Cyr (New York Yankees: $150,000).
(From left) Florida Gators Liam Peterson, Kyle Jones, Russell Sandefer, Luke McNeillie, Hayden Yost, Blake Cyr and Karson Bowen put pen to paper on professional baseball contracts.
Additionally, catcher Karson Bowen signed with the Texas Rangers as an undrafted free agent to give the Gators seven new players in affiliated professional baseball.
With contracts now in place, MLB organizations may assign players to various levels of Minor League Baseball to begin their professional careers. Six Gators – Jones, Sandefer, McNeillie, Yost, Cyr and Bowen – have already been assigned to their respective rookie-level affiliates in either the Arizona Complex League or Florida Complex League.
Florida has produced 91 MLB players all-time, leading the country with 43 MLB debuts since 2008 – six more than any other program. The Gators have delivered unparalleled balance with its big-league talent during that span by developing 22 MLB pitchers and 21 MLB position players. No other NCAA program has even sent 18-plus of each to the MLB since Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan took the reins at Florida.
A complete list of Florida's all-time MLB players and current Gators competing in affiliated professional baseball can be found here.
