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Baseball Five Florida Gators players/signees named to MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects List

JasonHigdon

Ring of Honor
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Nov 5, 2021
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Five Florida Gators players/signees named to MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects List
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During the Kevin O’Sullivan era, the Florida Gators have consistently produced big league-level talent. The Gators are usually near the top of the list regarding most players on MLB club’s Opening Day rosters.



In addition to the top players like Pete Alonso, Wyatt Langford, Brady Singer, and Jonathan India, Florida has had some of their commits produce at a high level in MLB. Players like Kyle Tucker, Riley Greene, Lance McCullers, Jesse Winker, and others were signed to play at the University of Florida but never made it to campus because they were drafted out of high school.



MLB Pipeline is one of the leaders in MLB prospect rankings and they have released their first version of the Top 100 prospects list. Here are all the Florida Gators players and signees on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 list.



1. RHP Andrew Painter



After missing all of 2023 and 2024, right-handed pitcher Andrew Painter has returned to the mound. The Broward County native was arguably the top pitching prospect in baseball two seasons ago before going down with Tommy John surgery. On MLB Pipeline, Painter is the eighth-ranked prospect and the third-ranked right-handed pitching prospect in baseball.



Andrew Painter is a 6’7” 215-pound right-handed pitcher out of Calvary Christian Academy in Pompano Beach, Florida. Painter was a Perfect Game All-American and signed to play for the Florida Gators. However, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted Painter with the 13th overall pick of the 2021 MLB Draft.



Painter has had a stellar professional career and returned to the mound in the Arizona Fall League for the first time since 2022. Painter posted a 2-0 record with a 2.30 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, and 10.3 K/9 in six starts. He was named the Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year. Painter has a four-pitch mix, including a 70-grade fastball, which topped out at 100 mph in the AFL. Painter has a plus slider, 50-grade curveball, 55-grade changeup, and good command on all four of his pitches.



2. 3B Coby Mayo



The Florida Gators were extremely close to keeping Coby Mayo in their 2020 recruiting class, but he was drafted in the shortened 2020 MLB Draft. On MLB Pipeline, Mayo is the thirteenth-ranked prospect and the #1 third base prospect in baseball.



Coby Mayo is a 6’5” 230-pound third baseman out of Majorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The Baltimore Orioles selected Mayo in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft. The Orioles signed Mayo to a $1.75 million bonus which was a million over his slot value.



In the minor leagues, Mayo has a .283/.381/.541 career slash line. In the 2024 season, Mayo slashed .293/.372/.592 with 105 hits, 26 doubles, 25 home runs, 73 RBIs, and a .964 OPS. Mayo was called up to MLB but struggled through his first 17 games. The Broward County native is still one of the top prospects in baseball and has drawn some comparisons to Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley.



3. 1B Jac Caglianone



The highest-ranked Florida player on the MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects list is two-way star Jac Caglianone. The 6’5” 250-pound left-hander was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Caglianone is the 21st-ranked prospect and the #1 first baseman prospect on MLB Pipeline.



Caglianone had a historic collegiate career in which he broke multiple program records. In his freshman season, Caglianone missed the first half of the season due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. In his sophomore and junior seasons, Caglianone was arguably the best power hitter in college baseball. Caglianone broke the all-time home run record at the University of Florida.



At the beginning of his professional career, he hasn’t pitched and isn’t likely to pitch next season in the Royals organization. Caglianone has a 70-grade power tool to complement his 50-hit tool grade. He received a 60 grade for him and a 50 grade for his glove.





4. RHP Brandon Sproat



After pitching at UF for four seasons, Brandon Sproat had a monster season in his first season of Minor League Baseball. On MLB Pipeline, Sproat is the 45th-ranked prospect and the ninth-ranked right-handed pitching prospect in baseball.



Brandon Sproat is a 6’3” 215-pound right-handed pitcher out of Pensacola, Florida. Sproat was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 7th round of the 2019 MLB Draft but decided to stick with his commitment to UF. After his junior season, Sproat improved his draft stock and was drafted by the New York Mets in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft. However, they couldn’t come to an agreement, and Sproat returned to the University of Florida for his senior season.



After his final season with the Gators, the Mets drafted Sproat in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft. During the 2024 season, Sproat made 24 appearances and 23 starts. He posted a 7-4 record with a 3.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 131 strikeouts in 116.1 innings pitched. Sproat has a five-pitch mix, including his mid-90s fastball, curveball, slider, changeup, and cutter. Sproat’s changeup sits in the upper-80s and is very effective versus left-handed hitters.



5. 1B Xavier Isaac



Another blue-chip high school prospect who never made it to the University of Florida was Xavier Isaac. On MLB Pipeline, Isaac is the 51st-ranked prospect and the fourth-ranked first base prospect in baseball.



Coming out of high school, Isaac wasn’t expected to be selected in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft. However, the Rays surprised many when they selected the 6’3” 240-pound first baseman with the 29th overall pick. Isaac was signed to play for the Gators but signed with the Rays and he never made it to campus.



In the MiLB, Isaac has showcased his impressive power. Isaac is considered to be one of the top power-hitting prospects in all of baseball. MLB Pipeline rated his power at a 70 which is an elite tier. During the 2024 season, Isaac slashed .264/.370/.480 with 97 hits, 21 doubles, eighteen home runs, 78 RBIs, fifteen stolen bases, and a .850 OPS. He also batted .286 with three homers and had a .957 OPS in fifteen games in the Arizona Fall League.
 
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