Florida Gators 2024 MLB Draft Projections: Predicting landing spots for Gators in the MLB
The Florida Gators have produced a lot of serious talent that could be taken in the 2024 MLB draft. There are a lot of draft-eligible players on their roster, and it will be interesting to see which teams are eyeing some of their prospects.
Let's take a look at the Florida Gators' 2024 MLB draft and discuss where their players can be picked.
Florida Gators 2024 MLB draft projections
Jac Caglianone, Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are holding the fourth selection in the 2024 MLB draft and should be ready to pounce on two-way player Jac Caglianone. Caglianone has one year of eligibility remaining, but what does another year of college baseball do for him?
He has proven to be a significant force at the plate, as he has a career 1.207 OPS with 75 home runs and 189 RBIs in 165 career games. He also has a 4.55 ERA and a .208 batting average against in 148.1 innings on the mound. Caglianone could be a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher as well as a cleanup hitter in a couple of years in the MLB.
With the Oakland Athletics looking for some excitement as they prepare for the move to Las Vegas, Caglianone could provide that spark.
Colby Shelton, Minnesota Twins
Colby Shelton has shown the ability to hit well, and while a return to the Florida Gators is certainly not out of the question, the Alabama transfer will hear his name called. Shelton is one of the best defensive shortstops in the SEC and still hit 20 homers from a non-power position.
Expect the Minnesota Twins to jump on Shelton in the 2024 MLB draft, as they could view him as a succession plan when Carlos Correa is not able to play the shortstop position in the future. He would look good dominating inside Target Field and would be part of a perennial winner.
Brandon Neely, Pittsburgh Pirates
Brandon Neely has shown the ability to step up and be a solid pitcher for the Gators, primarily out of the bullpen. He is not coming off a great season for Florida, as he finished 3-4 with a 5.13 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 79.0 innings.
He had a rough season, but his body of work over three years shows that he could be a solid bullpen arm. Teams could also stretch him out as a starter, making six starts last season and 16 throughout his three seasons with the team.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a young team and could use a nice option out of the bullpen to bridge the gap between the starting pitcher and David Bednar. Neely could be an intriguing player for the Pirates, as he has stuff that should get him selected earlier, but a struggling season last year could derail that.