Florida OF Kyle Jones selected by Milwaukee Brewers in 2026 MLB draft
· Yahoo Sports
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Florida outfielder Kyle Jones with the 102nd overall pick in the third round of the 2026 MLB draft.
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Jones played one full season with the Gators after transferring from Stetson ahead of the 2025 season. He only played four games that year due to injury, but he was an elite top-of-the-order bat for Florida in 2026, slashing .317/.418/.478 with an .895 OPS. Jones had 16 doubles, six home runs and 46 RBI in 275 plate appearances. He stole 17 bases and carried a walk rate of 12% while striking out 16.4% of the time.
At pick No. 102, Jones is set to receive a slot value of $770,600. He should be able to sign around that number or higher as a third-year player. He is the 232nd Gator drafted all-time, the 118th draft selection under Kevin O'Sullivan.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 190-pound center fielder earned ASUN Conference Freshman of the Year honors with Stetson after slashing .351/.456/.472 with a .928 OPS in 2024. He also stole 23 bases that year and walked (33) more times than he struck out (28).
Shoulder surgery in 2025 cut his inaugural season with the Gators short, but he opened the 2026 campaign on a torrid pace, leading the country in doubles through the first couple of weeks. It took him some time to adjust to SEC pitching, which could have led to some hesitancy in the draft, but he ended conference play with an OPS just eight points shy of .800.
Jones' athleticism is a huge plus. He has good range in the outfield and strong baserunning instincts, even if his run times aren't always the highest. The contact tool is better than the power tool right now, but his frame has some projection. If those doubles start turning into home runs, Jones has a much better shot at making and lasting in MLB.
Highest Drafted Outfielders in Program History
- 2023: OF Wyatt Langford – Round 1, Pick 4 (Texas Rangers)
- 2022: OF Sterlin Thompson – Round 1, Pick 31 (Colorado Rockies)
- 1998: 1B/OF/LHP Brad Wilkerson – Round 1, Pick 33 (Montreal Expos)
- 2021: OF Jud Fabian – Round 2, Pick 40 (Boston Red Sox)
- 2016: OF Buddy Reed – Round 2, Pick 48 (San Diego Padres)
- 2022: OF Jud Fabian – Round 2, Pick 67 (Baltimore Orioles)
- 1984: OF/LHP Scott Ruskin – Round 4, Pick 92 (Texas Rangers)
- 2015: OF Harrison Bader – Round 3, Pick 100 (St. Louis Cardinals)
- 2003: OF Ben Harrison – Round 4, Pick 108 (Cleveland Indians)
- 1979: Jim Watkins – Round 5, Pick 130 (Boston Red Sox)
- 1970: OF/C Guy McTheeny – Round 3, Pick 51 (Milwaukee Brewers) *January regular phase*
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida OF Kyle Jones selected by Milwaukee Brewers in 2026 MLB draft