Bobby Boser, Luke Heyman, & Brody Donay round out Gators Drafted in 2025 MLB Draft

Brody Donay, C – 17th round selection (Pick No. 507 overall) to the Tampa bay Rays

Gators' 22-year-old catcher, Donay, was the sixth and final Gator to be selected in this year’s MLB draft. And the Lakeland, Florida native won’t be traveling too far as he’s headed just west of Lakeland to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 6’5”, 235lbs catcher from the University of Florida was ranked as the No. 248 overall prospect in the draft by MLB.com for his power hitting and plus arm strength.

Donay started his collegiate career as a freshman at Virginia Tech before transferring back home to Florida for the last two seasons. At Virginia Tech as a freshman, he hit .260/.352, with a .585 on-base percentage and a .937 OPS. He hit 12 home runs, four doubles, drove in 38 RBIs, and had 32 runs scored.

Last season as a junior at Florida, he hit .303/.646, with a .418 on-base percentage, with 10 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, drove in 41 RBIs, and had 45 runs scored, along with eight stolen bases.

Over the course of his two seasons at UF, he combined for 15 doubles, two triples, 32 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 77 runs scored.

What attracted scouts to Donay is his raw power from the right side of the plate. Being a big 6’5”, 235lb tank, Donay is a monster at the plate who, all he has to do is make technically-sound contact to send the ball a long way. His weak spot is a 25.2 strikeouts rating in 2025, showing he does need to get more disciplined at the plate. But that can be taught as he learns to get better and more controlled with his swing.

Along with catching, Donay has experience at first base and in the the outfield as well. So the Rays will some versatile options to use Donay in as he develops within the organization.

Recapping the Gators’ Draft Class

The Florida Gators ended the year with six player drafted, all on day two of the draft:

• Colby Shelton, SS – 6th round (No. 166) – Chicago White Sox

• Jake Clemente, RHP – 7th round (No. 198) – Miami Marlins

• Pierce Coppola, LHP – 7th round (No. 211) – Chicago Cubs

• Bobby Boser, SS – 11th round (No. 320) – The Athletics

• Luke Heyman, C – 14th round (No. 422) – Seattle Mariners

• Brody Donay, C – 17th round (No. 507) – Tampa Bay Rays 

In 16 of the last 17 years, the Gators have had at least four players picked in the draft. The most that have ever been drafted is seven players in the 2021 MLB draft four years ago. This year, the Gators sent six players to the next level, including four position players and two pitchers.