{"id":10456,"date":"2025-07-15T01:30:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T01:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/10456\/"},"modified":"2025-07-15T01:30:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T01:30:08","slug":"shelton-becomes-first-gator-selected-in-2025-mlb-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/10456\/","title":{"rendered":"Shelton Becomes First Gator Selected in 2025 MLB Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGAINESVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The first Florida Gator is off the board in the 2025 MLB Draft, as the Chicago White Sox nabbed star shortstop Colby Shelton<\/a> with the 166th overall pick in the sixth round on Monday.
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\nLeading off the draft for the Orange & Blue, Shelton was previously selected by the Washington Nationals\u00a0in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. The Gators have now produced an MLB Draft pick at shortstop across three-straight seasons (Josh Rivera in 2023, Shelton in 2024 and 2025).
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\nShelton now holds status as the eighth-highest UF shortstop to be drafted all-time as well as the 111th pick of the Kevin O’Sullivan era. He also represents the 226th individual draft pick in team history.
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\nEnjoying a career year at the plate as a junior in 2025, Shelton reached base in 44 of 45 games before suffering a season-ending hamate injury. The Lexington, S.C. native slashed a robust .377\/.458\/.606 with seven home runs, 19 doubles, 40 runs, 35 RBI and six stolen bases while starting every game at shortstop prior to his injury. As a Brooks Wallace Award Semifinalist for the nation’s top shortstop, Shelton recorded 23 multi-hit games despite seeing limited action.
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\nDefensively, Shelton was\u00a0as sure-handed as any shortstop in the SEC over the past two years. Transitioning to the position after spending his 2023 rookie campaign playing the hot corner at Alabama, Shelton committed just eight errors in 358 defensive chances for a stellar .978 fielding percentage. Highlighted by an even better .984 mark this past season, Shelton helped turn 40 double plays for the Gators from 2024-25.
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\nShelton batted .304\/.407\/.573 across 111 games at UF, all of which he started at shortstop. Across 431 at bats as a Gator, he totaled 131 hits, 27 homers, 33 doubles, 100 runs, 91 RBI, 56 walks, 22 hit-by-pitches and 12 steals. Adding in his freshman numbers from Alabama, Shelton compiled 52 career home runs, 43 doubles, 149 runs scored and 142 RBI.
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\nRunning List of Florida’s 2025 MLB Draft Picks
\nSS Colby Shelton<\/a> \u2013 Round 6, Pick 166 (Chicago White Sox)
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\nWhat They’re Saying About Shelton
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\nD1Baseball
\n“Shelton has shown incredible aptitude to reduce his strikeouts by flattening his swing (2024 avg launch angle = 17.5 degrees) which has allowed him to lower his strikeout rate from a whopping 26.4% last season. However, he may have over-adjusted as his home run totals and his fly ball rate have been reduced 46.2% to 35.1% this spring. With that said, he should have little trouble finding a happy medium once in pro ball. Look for Shelton’s value to continue to ascend into draft day where college shortstops fly off the board due to their low-risk nature and likelihood of developing into valuable pieces on a major league roster. Despite his age, he’s a top 50 overall pick.”
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\nMLB Pipeline
\n“A left-handed hitter, Shelton’s offensive profile was previously all about his power, with a swing that was steep in the zone. With that pop came considerable swing-and-miss, with Shelton producing a 25.6 percent strikeout rate over his first two collegiate seasons (a 12.2 percent walk rate helped offset that some). This year, Shelton’s been much more hitterish with better rhythm. Using a narrower stance with higher hands, he’s become a much better hitter overall, focusing on left-center and picking his spots to pull and elevate, sacrificing power numbers as a result. Whether Shelton is a power hitter, or a hitter with some power, it’s his bat that will get him drafted and carry him up an organizational ladder\u2026”
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\nBaseball America
\n“Shelton is a physical lefthanded hitting shortstop who has been consistent power-producers in two seasons in the SEC. After homering 25 times with Alabama in 2023 he followed up with a 20-homer performance with Florida in 2024, though his power has always come with swing-and-miss questions. Shelton is a fringy defender at third base who has the arm strength for the left side of the infield but actions and quickness that might be a better fit for third base or second. He was a draft-eligible sophomore in 2024 but didn’t sign with the Nationals in the 20th round.”
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\nFlorida’s MLB Draft History
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\nHighest Drafted Shortstops in Program History
\n1. 2015: Richie Martin \u2013 Round 1, Pick 20 (Oakland Athletics)
\nT2. 2019: Brady McConnell \u2013 Round 2, Pick 44 (Kansas City Royals)
\nT2. 1968: Richard Trapp \u2013 Round 3, Pick 44 (New York Yankees)
\n4. 2012: Nolan Fontana \u2013 Round 2, Pick 61 (Houston Astros)
\n5. 2023: SS Josh Rivera \u2013 Round 3, Pick 81 (Chicago Cubs)
\nT6. 2006: Adam Davis \u2013 Round 3, Pick 101 (Cleveland Indians)
\nT6. 1977: Roger Holt \u2013 Round 4, Pick 101 (New York Yankees)
\n8. 2025: SS Colby Shelton<\/a> \u2013 Round 6, Pick 166 (Chicago White Sox)
\n9. 2017: Dalton Guthrie \u2013 Round 6, Pick 173 (Philadelphia Phillies)
\n10. 2008: Cole Figueroa \u2013 Round 6, Pick 195 (San Diego Padres)
\n11. 1981: Steve Lombardozzi \u2013 Round 9, Pick 218 (Minnesota Twins)
\n12. 1999: Mark Ellis \u2013 Round 9, Pick 271 (Kansas City Royals)
\n13. 2018: Deacon Liput \u2013 Round 10, Pick 314 (Los Angeles Dodgers)
\n14. 1983: Bruce Crabbe \u2013 Round 14, Pick 351 (Cleveland Indians)
\n15. 1988: Julio Mendez \u2013 Round 18, Pick 470 (St. Louis Cardinals)
\n1983: Robby Thompson \u2013 Round 1, Pick 2 (San Francisco Giants) *Secondary Phase*
\n1969: Richard Trapp \u2013 Round 12, Pick 3 (Kansas City Royals) *Secondary Phase*
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\nAll Draft Picks Under Kevin O’Sullivan (111)
\n2025: SS Colby Shelton<\/a> \u2013 Round 6, Pick 166 (Chicago White Sox)
\n2024: 1B\/LHP Jac Caglianone<\/a> \u2013 Round 1, Pick 6 (Kansas City Royals)
\n2024: RHP Brandon Neely<\/a> \u2013 Round 3, Pick 86 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2024: RHP Fisher Jameson<\/a> \u2013 Round 10, Pick 288 (Colorado Rockies)
\n2024: RHP Ryan Slater<\/a> \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)
\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<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Round 2, Pick 40 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2021: RHP\u00a0Tommy Mace<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Round 2, Pick 69 (Cleveland Indians)
\n2021: C\u00a0Nathan Hickey<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Round 5, Pick 136 (Boston Red Sox)
\n2021: RHP\u00a0Christian Scott<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Round 5, Pick 142 (New York Mets)
\n2021:\u00a0OF\u00a0Jacob Young<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Round 7, Pick 203 (Washington Nationals)
\n2021: RHP\u00a0Jack Leftwich<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Round 7, Pick 216 (Cleveland Indians)
\n2021: RHP\u00a0Franco Aleman<\/a>\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)
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