Dodgers Select Florida RHP Russell Sandefer in 2026 Draft

Fourth‑Round Pick Lands a Six‑Figure Slot

The Dodgers chose right‑hander Russell Sandefer with the 132nd overall selection in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB draft. The slot value attached to that pick is $575,300, placing the contract firmly in the six‑figure range for a player of this draft position. As a third‑year amateur, Sandefer is expected to sign near that number or higher, joining Los Angeles’s 2026 class.

Sandefer becomes the 233rd Gator to be taken in the MLB draft and the 119th selection under head coach Kevin O’ Sullivan. This pedigree highlights Florida’s continued ability to feed talent into professional baseball, adding another name to a long list of Gainesville alumni who have reached the majors.

The 6‑ft‑1‑in, 200‑lb righty brings a sturdy frame that suggests both velocity and durability—qualities the Dodgers will weigh as they decide his role in the organization.

From St. Leo to the Gators

After a solid stint at Division II St. Leo, Sandefer posted a 5‑2 record with a 3.38 ERA, one save and a 39‑to‑4 strikeout‑to‑walk ratio over 45 2⁄3 innings. He started eight games and appeared in 11 total contests. The next stop was UCF for the 2025 season, where he kept a 3.38 ERA, striking out 49 batters while walking 19 in 50 2⁄3 innings. He made six starts, earned a save and appeared in 18 games.

The transfer to Florida added a new chapter. Sandefer cracked the starting rotation, finishing 3‑2 with a 4.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average. He recorded a 60‑22 K/BB ratio, allowed four home runs and tossed a seven‑inning shutout against Ole Miss, yielding only two hits and a walk.

Statistical Snapshot at Florida

• 3‑2 record, 4.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
• .240 opponent batting average, 60‑22 K/BB, four homers allowed
• 12 starts in 19 appearances; best performance vs. Ole Miss: seven shutout innings, two hits, one walk

What Dodgers’ Scouts Look For

Sandefer’s fastball can reach 98 mph but typically sits in the 93‑95 mph range, offering a noticeable velocity jump that could give him plus stuff at the next level. His breaking ball carries high spin and shows sweeper‑like tendencies thanks to a low arm slot. The changeup plays well, and he mixes in a cutter to complete the mix. Scouts view the fastball as the key; if it plays, the complementary offerings could reach 60‑grade territory.

Future in Los Angeles

The Dodgers can experiment with Sandefer, trying him as a starter before shifting him to the bullpen if development suggests it. His upside rests on pairing arm velocity with solid secondary pitch quality—a combination that mirrors recent Dodger draftees who matured after being selected. If his command continues to improve, he could slot into the rotation or provide reliable relief, adding depth to a already deep farm system. This pick fits the franchise’s strategy of building through the draft while adding immediate talent to the 2026 class.