Three members of the University of South Florida baseball team were selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, with a fourth signing a free agent contract immediately following the event.
Player Selections
The Houston Astros made outfielder Ryan Pruitt the first Bull selected, taking him in the ninth round. Pruitt is the first South Florida position player drafted since catcher Carmine Lane in 2022. During the 2026 season, Pruitt led USF in games played (53), at-bats (193), and runs scored (48). In 2025, he started all 56 games and hit .281.
The Detroit Tigers selected pitcher Edwin Alicea in the 14th round. Alicea served as USF’s primary Friday night starter during the 2026 season, making 10 starts across 19 total appearances. He pitched 72.1 innings, compiling a 6-5 record, a 5.23 ERA, and a team-high 60 strikeouts.
Pitcher Ethan Sutton was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 16th round. Sutton, who was named to the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List, led the Bulls with nine saves and 20 appearances out of the bullpen.
Additionally, catcher Lance Trippel signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers following the draft. Trippel is the first USF player to sign as an undrafted free agent since Dylan Burns and Logan Lyle did so with the Chicago White Sox in 2022.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
