Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Russell Sandefer out of the University of Florida with their second pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Sandefer was drafted by the Dodgers with the No. 132nd overall pick in the fourth round.
The right-hander pitched to a 4.42 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 57 innings with Florida this spring. He was in his first year with them after transferring from the University of Central Florida, where he posted a 3.38 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 50.2 innings in 2025.
His first year in college was spent in Division II with Saint Leo University. As a freshman for the Lions, he had a 3.35 ERA in 45.2 innings with 39 strikeouts.
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 has a low arm slot with a fastball that can touch 97 mph, but consistently sits at 93 mph. He also mixes in a slider, changeup and cutter.
Like many college pitchers, he has worked as both a starter and out of the bullpen.
Sandefer was the 44th right-hander and third Florida Gator taken in the first four rounds of this year’s draft.
It’s the second and final selection that the Dodgers made on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft. Their first pick came in the second round at No. 40 overall when they selected high school infielder Bo Lawrance. That was dropped 10 spots as a penalty for exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax during the 2025 season
The No. 132nd pick in the 2026 Draft comes with a $575,300 slot value. The Dodgers have a bonus pool of $3,951,900 for this year’s draft class, which is the second-smallest among all teams.
Bonus pools are calculated by adding the slot values of every pick a team makes through the first 10 rounds. Any signing bonus amount more than $125,000 for draft picks after the 10th round also count against pool money.
Consequences for exceeding that allotment include a 75% tax on any overage amount that is up to 5% over the pool. If a team goes over the 5% threshold, they will lose their first-round pick in the next draft.
Dodgers 2026 MLB Draft picks
Bo Lowrance, INF – Round 2: 40th overall ($2,504,200)
Russell Sandefer, RHP – Round 4: 132nd overall ($575,300)
Round 7: 223rd overall ($260,300)
Round 8: 253rd overall ($218,500)
Round 9: 283rd overall ($201,700)
Round 10: 313th overall ($191,900)
Round 11: 343rd overall
Round 12: 373rd overall
Round 13: 403rd overall
Round 14: 433rd overall
Round 15: 463rd overall
Round 16: 493rd overall
Round 17: 523rd overall
Round 18: 553rd overall
Round 19: 583rd overall
Round 20: 613th overall
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