Brandon Sproat drafted by the New York Mets
Florida Gators right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat was drafted by the New York Mets with the 90th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft on Monday afternoon. Sproat is the fourth Gator to be picked this year.
This marks the second time in Sproat’s career that he has been drafted, as he was previously picked out of high school by the Texas Rangers in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
The selection effectively makes Sproat the 20th pitcher to be drafted in the first five rounds out of Florida since head coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s 2008 arrival in Gainesville. That total is tied for third nationally. He is the 55th Gators pitcher to be drafted during O’Sullivan’s tenure.
Sproat is the 215th individual draftee produced by the Gators and the 98th player to have his name called on draft day under O’Sullivan – good for second in the SEC since 2008.
Sproat’s Gator career
Sproat was tremendous for the Gators down the stretch in 2022, going 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA and .218 batting average against in his last six starts of the season. The hard-throwing right-hander filled in valiantly following the season-ending injury to Barco, finishing with a 9-4 record, 3.41 ERA, .251 BAA, and 82 strikeouts across 89 2/3 innings pitched.
Sproat was named to the ABCA/Rawlings Southeast All-Region Second Team in June. During the 2022 campaign, he also collected SEC Pitcher of the Week honors (March 7) and was included on the NCAA Gainesville Regional All-Tournament Team.
Over the course of three seasons in Orange & Blue, Sproat totaled 117 1/3 innings on the mound and produced an 11-5 record. That came accompanied with a 3.91 ERA, .260 BAA and 108 career strikeouts.
Outside of his accomplishments on the diamond for the Gators, Sproat competed for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team in the summer of 2021. Off the field, Sproat is a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient.
