![Florida's outfielder Kyle Jones (3) with a homer in the bottom of the first inning against Rider in Game 1 of the NCAA Gainesville Regional at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida, Friday, May 29, 2026. The Gators beat the Broncs 8-7. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2026](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_6261,h_3521/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ReutersImages/mmsport/213/01kxb794wkz5hx0bpkrf.jpg "Florida's outfielder Kyle Jones (3) with a homer in the bottom of the first inning against Rider in Game 1 of the NCAA Gainesville Regional at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida, Friday, May 29, 2026. The Gators beat the Broncs 8-7. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2026")
Day one of the MLB Draft is over, and from a Florida perspective, it went pretty well. Liam Peterson went in the first round at No. 19 overall, which is around where most mock drafts had him projected, and fellow starting pitcher Russell Sandefer went in the 4th round to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But there are two other Gators who fall in that in-between range, where they could be in Gainesville for 2027, but the temptation of the MLB may lead them elsewhere.
Florida players Kyle Jones and Kevin Roberts Jr. get drafted on day one of MLB Draft
With the No. 102 pick in the 3rd round of the MLB Draft, Kyle Jones was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers. Jones was considered a redshirt sophomore in 2026 and hit .317/.418/.478. He had 17 stolen bases and did not commit any errors this past season. Jones transferred in from Stetson after the 2024 season, where he was the 2024 A-SUN Freshman of the Year, but he got hurt four games into the 2025 campaign and had to redshirt.
On paper, Jones still has two years of college eligibility left, and he could return to Gainesville. And with a slot value of $770,600, there is a pathway a deep-pocketed booster could produce the NIL needed to match whatever contract the Brewers settle on. But the prevailing belief is that Jones will sign with Milwaukee and begin his MLB career.
Kevin Roberts Jr. was drafted No. 110 overall in the 4th round by the Baltimore Orioles. If you don’t know who that is, Roberts Jr. hasn’t actually made it to Gainesville just yet. He is a class of 2026 signee ranked No. 19 overall by Perfect Game and is classified as a “unicorn athlete.”
At No. 110 overall, he falls right in that range where his status could go either way. His slot value is $711,800, which again, Florida could find a way to match over three years if they really wanted to. And even if Florida doesn’t match the $700K fully, there are arguments to be made that Roberts Jr. could stand to make more money in the long run if he shows up to Gainesville, develops over three years, and gets drafted even higher down the road. Plus, playing in the SEC compared to riding a bus around the Carolina League sounds like a way better use of time.
His status feels a bit more uncertain, and it would not be shocking to see him go either way.
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