![Florida head coach Kevin O'Sullivan (7) and Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione (27) shake heads before the start of Game 1, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators lost 12-11 in extra innings. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2024](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_218,w_1669,h_938/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01kw76cwdywct2cvc5t3.jpg "Florida head coach Kevin O'Sullivan (7) and Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione (27) shake heads before the start of Game 1, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators lost 12-11 in extra innings. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2024")
One of the struggles Kevin O’Sullivan has had to deal with over the years is watching highly prized high school prospects who are committed to Florida get drafted so high in the MLB Draft that they never make it to campus. There are plenty of examples of guys Florida fans knew had zero shot of ever making it to Gainesville.
But given the changing landscape of college baseball, along with a proposed rule from MLB, the Gators landed a commitment this week of a top-tier prospect who has a better chance of making it on campus than one would have previously counted on.
Landon Green commits to Florida
RHP Landon Green, out of Clearwater, has committed to Florida. According to Perfect Game, Green already has a fastball at 96 MPH with top-level breaking pitches to mix in. Combined with the fact that he is a top-tier all-around athlete, there are plenty of reasons to believe Green will be coveted by MLB scouts and GMs in the 2027 MLB Draft.
Congratulations to Develops Alum Landon Green on his commitment to @GatorsBB! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/N3oMOUofzU
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) June 27, 2026
In the traditional landscape of college baseball, there would be next to zero chance Green ever suits up as a Gator. In the new age landscape of college baseball, that door is at least cracked open.
But there is also the looming proposal from MLB, which is bound to be a sticking point in the broader labor discussions that could lead to a lockout in 2027 and funnel Green to campus. MLB came out this week and proposed a rule that would make it so players can’t get drafted straight out of high school and wouldn’t become draft eligible until after their sophomore year in college.
Under the current rule, a player can either be drafted straight out of high school or wait 3 more years before becoming draft-eligible again.
The belief is that MLB is trying to reduce its minor league system and shift development to college baseball. And there are arguments to be made that starting in the SEC rather than with the Lakeland Flying Tigers is a better pathway for both players and teams. Players get a far better quality of life, and teams can draft players who can be MLB-ready in under 2 years.
Fans will just have to wait and see whether or not the new MLB proposal actually gains traction. If it does, it means players like Green might actually get to suit up in Orange and Blue.
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