Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers added two players on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft, including right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer with the No. 132 pick in the fourth round.
According to Nick Marcinko of GatorCountry, the former University of Florida product has agreed to an under-slot deal with the Dodgers.
News: #Gators RHP Russell Sandefer has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $434,000.
Sandefer was selected in the 4th round with the 132nd overall pick. A $141,300 under slot deal. pic.twitter.com/dq3ESrQAL1
— Nick Marcinko (@marcinko_nick) July 17, 2026
The No. 132 overall selection came with a slot value of $575,300, so the Dodgers saved $141,300 that they can now use on other draft picks.
Sandefer pitched to a 4.42 ERA with 60 strikeouts across 57 innings for the Gators this spring. He was in his first year with Florida after transferring from the University of Central Florida, where he posted a 3.38 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 50.2 innings in 2025.
Sandefer began his college career with Saint Leo University, where he put up a 3.35 ERA in 45.2 innings with 39 strikeouts as a freshman.
The 21-year-old 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.
Dodgers 2026 MLB Draft signing deadline
The Dodgers have until 2 p.m. PT on Monday, July 27, to sign their 2026 MLB Draft picks. Sandefer is the first of the Dodgers’ 16 selections to reportedly sign a contract.
L.A. has just over a week to work out deals with Bo Lowrance (second round), Charlie West (seventh), Miles Gosztola (eighth), Kyeler Thompson (ninth), Devin Bell (10th), Cody New (11th), Gavin Van Kempen (12th), Caleb Johnson (13th), Ryne Rodriguez (14th), Aemed Nasser (15th), Ethan Sutton (16th), Camden Wimbish (17th), Max Irving Jr. (18th), Luke Bard (19th) and Zach Bates (20th).
The Dodgers rank last among all teams with a bonus pool of just $3,951,900 for their 2026 MLB Draft picks. Bonus pools are calculated by adding the slot values of every pick 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.
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