{"id":337520,"date":"2026-07-12T09:26:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T09:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/337520\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T09:26:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T09:26:17","slug":"dodgers-select-sandefer-in-fourth-round-of-mlb-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/337520\/","title":{"rendered":"Dodgers Select Sandefer in Fourth Round of MLB Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

GAINESVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The Los Angeles Dodgers nabbed UF right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer<\/a> with the 132nd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday night.
\n\u00a0
\nSandefer is the third Gator to have his named called at this year’s MLB Draft, following teammates Liam Peterson<\/a> (Round 1, Pick 19 \u2013 Cleveland Guardians) and Kyle Jones<\/a> (Round 3, Pick 102 \u2013 Milwaukee Brewers). The Tampa, Fla. native marks the 234th individual draft choice in program history and the 119th of the Kevin O’Sullivan era (2008-present). Sandefer is the 66th pitcher chosen in the MLB Draft during O’Sullivan’s 19-year tenure, including 25th selected in the first five rounds \u2013 which ranks third nationally since 2008.
\n\u00a0

\nWith Sandefer’s selection, the Orange & Blue has recorded at least three draft picks in every season of O’Sullivan’s 19-year tenure \u2013 a streak which dates back 25 years through the 2002 MLB Draft (excluding the COVID-shortened, 2020 Draft).
\n\u00a0
\nIn his lone campaign as a Gator after transferring from UCF, Sandefer pitched in 19 games highlighted by 12 starts, 10 of which came as a member of the weekend rotation. Holding opposing hitters to a .240 batting average, the junior righty finished with a 3-2 record, 4.42 ERA and 1.30 WHIP while recording 60 strikeouts to 22 walks in 57.0 innings. Surrendering just four long balls all season, Sandefer allowed 0.6 homers per nine innings in addition to 9.5 strikeouts per nine, 3.5 walks per nine and a 2.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
\n\u00a0
\nSandefer was named to the Gainesville Regional All-Tournament Team after earning the win against Rider on May 29 behind 5 2\/3 shutout frames with two hits allowed, one walk and five strikeouts. His best performance of the season came vs. Ole Miss on April 4, when he set career highs with 7.0 innings pitched and 11 strikeouts while scattering two hits and one walk.
\n\u00a0
\nRunning List of Florida’s 2026 MLB Draft Picks (3)
\nRHP Liam Peterson<\/a> \u2013 Round 1, Pick 19 (Cleveland Guardians)
\nOF Kyle Jones<\/a> \u2013 Round 3, Pick 102 (Milwaukee Brewers)
\nRHP Russell Sandefer<\/a> \u2013 Round 4, Pick 132 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
\n\u00a0
\nWhat They’re Saying About Sandefer
\n\u00a0
\nMLB Pipeline
\n“While not the biggest right-hander in the world at 6-foot-1, Sandefer’s stuff could give him the chance to start. He’s seen his fastball tick upwards a bit this year, now sitting over 93 mph and touching 98 mph, and he backs it up with an interesting array of secondary offerings. He can miss bats with his low-80s slider with high spin, a breaker that can be a super-wide sweeper with angle, though it’s inconsistent at times. He sells his low-80s changeup well with his arm speed and it features good fade and depth. He mixes in a cutter at times as well. All of Sandefer’s repertoire comes from a really whippy arm and a low slot, with movement to everything he throws, and he’s generally around the plate. His inconsistencies in conference play might have halted his helium a bit, but a team taking him in the top several rounds could send him out as a starter with the option to shorten him up for a life in the bullpen if that role doesn’t stick.”
\n\u00a0
\nBaseball America
\n“Sandefer transferred from Central Florida to Florida for his draft season in 2026 and initially pitched in a relief role, but worked his way into the starting rotation and improved his control as the season progressed. He finished the year with a 4.42 ERA in 12 starts, 19 appearances and 57 innings, with a 24.4% strikeout rate and 8.9% walk rate. Listed at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Sandefer has a deceptive look with a slingy, sidearm slot and a crossfire landing that creates some unusual angles for hitters. He throws his fastball in the 93-95 mph range and has touched 97, with above-average run to his arm side and impressive boring life when he keeps it down. It’s a groundball-driving pitch and elicited a 53% groundball rate this spring. Sandefer’s best pitch is a low-to-mid-80s sweeper slider, which he spins in the 2,700-2,800 rpm range. He also throws a low-80s changeup that has tons of fade, and a hard cutter around 90 mph. Sandefer is typically a fastball\/slider pitcher against righties, and a fastball\/changeup\/cutter pitcher against lefties. He’s a solid strike-thrower who might be more reliant on inducing weak contact than racking up strikeouts, but has a chance to profile as a backend starter.”
\n\u00a0
\nFlorida’s MLB Draft History
\n\u00a0
\nPitchers Drafted in First Five Rounds Under Kevin O’Sullivan (25)
\nRHP Liam Peterson<\/a> \u2013 Round 1, Pick 19 (Cleveland Guardians)
\nRHP Russell Sandefer<\/a> \u2013 Round 4, Pick 132 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
\n2024: RHP Brandon Neely \u2013 Round 3, Pick 86 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2023: RHP Brandon Sproat \u2013 Round 2, Pick 56 (New York Mets)
\n2023: RHP Hurston Waldrep \u2013 Round 1, Pick 24 (Atlanta Braves)
\n2022: LHP Hunter Barco \u2013 Round 2, Pick 44 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
\n2022: RHP Brandon Sproat \u2013 Round 3, Pick 90 (New York Mets)
\n2021: RHP Tommy Mace \u2013 Round 2, Pick 69 (Cleveland Indians)
\n2021: RHP Christian Scott \u2013 Round 5, Pick 142 (New York Mets)
\n2019: RHP Tyler Dyson \u2013 Round 5, Pick 153 (Washington Nationals)
\n2018: RHP Brady Singer \u2013 Round 1, Pick 18 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2018: RHP Jackson Kowar \u2013 Round 1, Pick 33 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2017: RHP Alex Faedo \u2013 Round 1, Pick 18 (Detroit Tigers)
\n2016: LHP A.J. Puk \u2013 Round 1, Pick 6 (Oakland Athletics)
\n2016: RHP Dane Dunning \u2013 Round 1, Pick 29 (Washington Nationals)
\n2016: RHP Logan Shore \u2013 Round 2, Pick 47 (Oakland Athletics)
\n2016: RHP Shaun Anderson \u2013 Round 3, Pick 88 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2016: LHP Scott Moss \u2013 Round 4, Pick 108 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2013: RHP Jonathon Crawford \u2013 Round 1, Pick 20 (Detroit Tigers)
\n2012: LHP\/1B Brian Johnson \u2013 Round 1, Pick 31 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2012: LHP Steven (Paco) Rodriguez \u2013 Round 2, Pick 82 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
\n2012: RHP Austin Maddox \u2013 Round 3, Pick 118 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2011: LHP Nick Maronde \u2013 Round 3, Pick 104 (Los Angeles Angels)
\n2010: LHP Kevin Chapman \u2013 Round 4, Pick 119 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2009: RHP Billy Bullock \u2013 Round 2, Pick 70 (Minnesota Twins)
\n\u00a0
\nAll Draft Picks Under Kevin O’Sullivan (119)
\n2026: RHP Liam Peterson<\/a> \u2013 Round 1, Pick 19 (Cleveland Guardians)
\n2026: OF Kyle Jones<\/a> \u2013 Round 3, Pick 102 (Milwaukee Brewers)
\n2026: RHP Russell Sandefer<\/a> \u2013 Round 4, Pick 132 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
\n2025: SS Colby Shelton<\/a> \u2013 Round 6, Pick 166 (Chicago White Sox)
\n2025: RHP Jake Clemente<\/a> \u2013 Round 7 \u2013 Pick 198 (Miami Marlins)
\n2025: LHP Pierce Coppola<\/a> \u2013 Round 7 \u2013 Pick 211 (Chicago Cubs)
\n2025: 3B Bobby Boser<\/a> \u2013 Round 11, Pick 320 (Athletics)
\n2025: C Luke Heyman<\/a> \u2013 Round 14, Pick 422 (Seattle Mariners)
\n2025: C Brody Donay<\/a> \u2013 Round 17, Pick 507 (Tampa Bay Rays)
\n2024: 1B\/LHP Jac Caglianone \u2013 Round 1, Pick 6 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2024: RHP Brandon Neely \u2013 Round 3, Pick 86 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2024: RHP Fisher Jameson \u2013 Round 10, Pick 288 (Colorado Rockies)
\n2024: RHP Ryan Slater \u2013 Round 18, Pick 538 (San Francisco Giants)
\n2024: SS Colby Shelton<\/a> \u2013 Round 20, Pick 590 (Washington Nationals)
\n2023: INF Colby Halter \u2013 Round 17, Pick 496 (Oakland Athletics)
\n2023: LHP Philip Abner \u2013 Round 6, Pick 175 (Arizona Diamondbacks)
\n2023: SS Josh Rivera \u2013 Round 3, Pick 81 (Chicago Cubs)
\n2023: RHP Brandon Sproat \u2013 Round 2, Pick 56 (New York Mets)
\n2023: RHP Hurston Waldrep \u2013 Round 1, Pick 24 (Atlanta Braves)
\n2023: OF Wyatt Langford \u2013 Round 1, Pick 4 (Texas Rangers)
\n2023: OF Wyatt Langford \u2013 Round 1, Pick 4 (Texas Rangers)
\n2022: OF Sterlin Thompson \u2013 Round 1, Pick 31 (Colorado Rockies)
\n2022: LHP Hunter Barco \u2013 Round 2, Pick 44 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
\n2022: OF Jud Fabian \u2013 Round 2, Pick 67 (Baltimore Orioles)
\n2022: RHP Brandon Sproat \u2013 Round 3, Pick 90 (New York Mets)
\n2021: OF\u00a0Jud Fabian\u00a0\u2013 Round 2, Pick 40 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2021: RHP\u00a0Tommy Mace\u00a0\u2013 Round 2, Pick 69 (Cleveland Indians)
\n2021: C\u00a0Nathan Hickey\u00a0\u2013 Round 5, Pick 136 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2021: RHP\u00a0Christian Scott\u00a0\u2013 Round 5, Pick 142 (New York Mets)
\n2021:\u00a0OF\u00a0Jacob Young\u00a0\u2013 Round 7, Pick 203 (Washington Nationals)
\n2021: RHP\u00a0Jack Leftwich\u00a0\u2013 Round 7, Pick 216 (Cleveland Indians)
\n2021: RHP\u00a0Franco Aleman\u00a0\u2013 Round 10, Pick 306 (Cleveland Indians)
\n2019: SS Brady McConnell \u2013 Round 2, Pick 44 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2019: RHP Tyler Dyson \u2013 Round 5, Pick 153 (Washington Nationals)
\n2019: OF Wil Dalton \u2013 Round 8, Pick 257 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2019: OF Nelson Maldonado \u2013 Round 21, Pick 642 (Chicago Cubs)
\n2018: 3B Jonathan India \u2013 Round 1, Pick 5 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2018: RHP Brady Singer \u2013 Round 1, Pick 18 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2018: RHP Jackson Kowar \u2013 Round 1, Pick 33 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2018: C JJ Schwarz \u2013 Round 8, Pick 233 (Oakland Athletics)
\n2018: SS Deacon Liput \u2013 Round 10, Pick 314 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
\n2018: RHP Michael Byrne \u2013 Round 14, Pick 409 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2018: OF\/LHP Nick Horvath \u2013 Round 25, Pick 745 (Baltimore Orioles)
\n2017: RHP Alex Faedo \u2013 Round 1, Pick 18 (Detroit Tigers)
\n2017: SS Dalton Guthrie \u2013 Round 6, Pick 173 (Philadelphia Phillies)
\n2017: C Mike Rivera \u2013 Round 6, Pick 192 (Cleveland Indians)
\n2017: C Mark Kolozsvary \u2013 Round 7, Pick 197 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2017: RHP David Lee \u2013 Round 27, Pick 808 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
\n2017: RHP Frank Rubio \u2013 Round 29, Pick 876 (San Francisco Giants)
\n2017: 2B Deacon Liput \u2013 Round 29, Pick 880 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
\n2017: C JJ Schwarz \u2013 Round 38, Pick 1129 (Tampa Bay Rays)
\n2016: LHP A.J. Puk \u2013 Round 1, Pick 6 (Oakland Athletics)
\n2016: RHP Dane Dunning \u2013 Round 1, Pick 29 (Washington Nationals)
\n2016: RHP Logan Shore \u2013 Round 2, Pick 47 (Oakland Athletics)
\n2016: OF Buddy Reed \u2013 Round 2, Pick 48 (San Diego Padres)
\n2016: 1B Pete Alonso \u2013 Round 2, Pick 64 (New York Mets)
\n2016: RHP Shaun Anderson \u2013 Round 3, Pick 88 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2016: LHP Scott Moss \u2013 Round 4, Pick 108 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2016: LHP Kirby Snead \u2013 Round 10, Pick 312 (Toronto Blue Jays)
\n2015: SS Richie Martin \u2013 Round 1, Pick 20 (Oakland Athletics)
\n2015: OF Harrison Bader \u2013 Round 3, Pick 100 (St. Louis Cardinals)
\n2015: RHP Eric Hanhold \u2013 Round 6, Pick 181 (Milwaukee Brewers)
\n2015: LHP Danny Young \u2013 Round 8, Pick 242 (Toronto Blue Jays)
\n2015: RHP Taylor Lewis \u2013 Round 9, Pick 270 (Atlanta Braves)
\n2015: 3B Josh Tobias \u2013 Round 10, Pick 294 (Philadelphia Phillies)
\n2015: LHP Bobby Poyner \u2013 Round 14, Pick 411 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2015: RHP Mike Vinson \u2013 Round 24, Pick 730 (Detroit Tigers)
\n2015: RHP Aaron Rhodes \u2013 Round 28, Pick 855 (Los Angeles Angels)
\n2014: C Taylor Gushue \u2013 Round 4, Pick 131 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
\n2014: RHP Justin Shafer \u2013 Round 8, Pick 234 (Toronto Blue Jays)
\n2014: RHP Karsten Whitson \u2013 Round 11, Pick 344 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2014: 2B Casey Turgeon \u2013 Round 24, Pick 735 (St. Louis Cardinals)
\n2014: RHP Ryan Harris \u2013 Round 26, Pick 794 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2014: RHP Keenan Kish \u2013 Round 34, Pick 1025 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2013: RHP Jonathon Crawford \u2013 Round 1, Pick 20 (Detroit Tigers)
\n2013: LHP Daniel Gibson \u2013 Round 7, Pick 210 (Arizona Diamondbacks)
\n2013: OF Taylor Ratliff \u2013 Round 13, Pick 390 (Arizona Diamondbacks)
\n2013: RHP Johnny Magliozzi \u2013 Round 17, Pick 506 (New York Mets)
\n2013: SS Cody Dent \u2013 Round 22, Pick 676 (Washington Nationals)
\n2013: OF Jeff Driskel \u2013 Round 29, Pick 863 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2013: RHP Karsten Whitson \u2013 Round 37, Pick 1126 (Washington Nationals)
\n2012: C Mike Zunino \u2013 Round 1, Pick 3 (Seattle Mariners)
\n2012: LHP\/1B Brian Johnson \u2013 Round 1, Pick 31 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2012: SS Nolan Fontana \u2013 Round 2, Pick 61 (Houston Astros)
\n2012: LHP Steven (Paco) Rodriguez \u2013 Round 2, Pick 82 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
\n2012: RHP Austin Maddox \u2013 Round 3, Pick 118 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2012: OF Preston Tucker \u2013 Round 7, Pick 219 (Houston Astros)
\n2012: RHP Hudson Randall \u2013 Round 7, Pick 244 (Detroit Tigers)
\n2012: OF Daniel Pigott \u2013 Round 9, Pick 292 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2012: RHP Greg Larson \u2013 Round 20, Pick 631 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2011: LHP Nick Maronde \u2013 Round 3, Pick 104 (Los Angeles Angels)
\n2011: RHP Anthony DeSclafani \u2013 Round 6, Pick 199 (Toronto Blue Jays)
\n2011: RHP Alex Panteliodis \u2013 Round 9, Pick 282 (New York Mets)
\n2011: RHP Tommy Toledo \u2013 Round 11, Pick 341 (Milwaukee Brewers)
\n2011: 2B Josh Adams \u2013 Round 13, Pick 403 (Florida Marlins)
\n2011: 1B\/OF Preston Tucker \u2013 Round 16, Pick 498 (Colorado Rockies)
\n2011: C Ben McMahan \u2013 Round 23, Pick 701 (Milwaukee Brewers)
\n2011: RHP Matt Campbell \u2013 Round 24, Pick 751 (Philadelphia Phillies)
\n2011: RHP Greg Larson \u2013 Round 29, Pick 885 (Los Angeles Angels)
\n2011: OF Bryson Smith \u2013 Round 34, Pick 1045 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2011: OF Tyler Thompson \u2013 Round 46, Pick 1387 (Washington Nationals)
\n2010: LHP Kevin Chapman \u2013 Round 4, Pick 119 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2010: OF Matt den Dekker \u2013 Round 5, Pick 152 (New York Mets)
\n2010: RHP Tommy Toledo \u2013 Round 32, Pick 975 (Minnesota Twins)
\n2010: C Hampton Tignor \u2013 Round 36, Pick 1104 (Los Angeles Angels)
\n2010: RHP Justin Poovey \u2013 Round 41, Pick 1254 (Los Angeles Angels)
\n2010: RHP Matt Campbell \u2013 Round 43, Pick 1297 (Cincinnati Reds)
\n2009: RHP Billy Bullock \u2013 Round 2, Pick 70 (Minnesota Twins)
\n2009: OF Avery Barnes \u2013 Round 11, Pick 331 (Colorado Rockies)
\n2009: LHP Tony Davis \u2013 Round 12, Pick 372 (Minnesota Twins)
\n2009: OF Matt den Dekker \u2013 Round 16, Pick 475 (Pittsburgh Pirates)
\n2009: RHP Patrick Keating \u2013 Round 20, Pick 602 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2009: C Buddy Munroe \u2013 Round 22, Pick 672 (Minnesota Twins)
\n2009: LHP Stephen Locke \u2013 Round 22, Pick 681 (Los Angeles Angels)
\n2009: SS Mike Mooney \u2013 Round 23, Pick 686 (Baltimore Orioles)
\n2009: OF Riley Cooper \u2013 Round 25, Pick 754 (Texas Rangers)
\n2009: LHP Kevin Chapman \u2013 Round 50, Pick 1513 (Chicago White Sox)
\n2008: SS Cole Figueroa \u2013 Round 6, Pick 195 (San Diego Padres)
\n2008: OF Avery Barnes \u2013 Round 40, Pick 1201 (Washington Nationals)
\n2008: RHP Josh Edmondson \u2013 Round 41, Pick 1249 (Los Angeles Angels)
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"GAINESVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The Los Angeles Dodgers nabbed UF right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer with the 132nd overall pick…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":337521,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[28,30,29],"class_list":["post-337520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-florida","tag-florida","tag-florida-headlines","tag-florida-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/337520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=337520"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/337520\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/337521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=337520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=337520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=337520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}