Dodgers Select Russell Sandefer with 132nd Pick in Fourth Round of 2026 MLB Draft
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have selected right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer from the University of Florida with the 132nd pick in the fourth round to join William “Bo” Lawrence as the club’s first selections of the 2026 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Sandefer, a junior from Tampa, Florida, pitched in 19 games (12 starts) with the Gators in 2026. He was 3-2 with a 4.42 ERA (28 ER/57.0 IP) with 60 strikeouts against 22 walks. He transferred to Florida after spending his sophomore season at the University of Central Florida and his freshman season at St. Leo. He was a member of the 2026 NCAA Gainesville Regional All-Tournament Team after delivering 5.2 scoreless innings against Rider University and striking out five in the team’s 8-7 victory.
Sandefer was the 44th right-hander and third Florida Gator taken in the first four rounds of this year’s draft.
The Dodgers will make 14 more selections in the 2026 MLB Draft. Rounds 5-20 of the draft take place tomorrow, starting at 8:30 a.m. PST.
The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with nine World Series championships and 26 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence. The Dodgers, baseball’s 2024 and 2025 back-to-back World Champions, have been recognized as ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year and are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world. Visit the Dodgers online at www.dodgers.com, follow them on Twitter @Dodgers and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Dodgers. For media information, visit www.dodgerspressbox.com.