Florida Gators' Brody Donay Drafted by Rays: A Power Prospect Emerges!

Lakeland, Florida, USA - In a notable development for Florida baseball, catcher and designated hitter Brody Donay was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 17th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, claiming the 507th overall pick. Donay, who transferred from Virginia Tech, has made a significant impact during his time with the Gators, hitting 32 home runs across two seasons and boasting a solid career slash line of .277/.376/.592 over 106 games.

What’s particularly interesting about Donay’s selection is his exceptional raw power, which some believe could even outshine notable hitters like Jac Caglianone. However, it’s worth noting that he will need to fine-tune his mechanics behind the plate if he hopes to enjoy a long career in professional baseball. While he primarily served as a designated hitter—starting 30 games in that role—he also filled in as catcher 16 times and even played seven times at first base.

Draft Highlights from Florida

Donay is the sixth Gator to be drafted in this year’s MLB Draft, following a line-up that includes:

• Colby Shelton – Round 6, Pick 166 (Chicago White Sox)
• Jake Clemente – Round 7, Pick 198 (Miami Marlins)
• Pierce Coppola – Round 7, Pick 211 (Chicago Cubs)
• Bobby Boser – Round 11, Pick 320 (Athletics)
• Luke Heyman – Round 14, Pick 422 (Seattle Mariners)

The University of Florida has been a consistent pipeline for professional baseball talent, achieving the milestone of having six or more players drafted in three of the last five years, including the current year, 2021, and 2023. This underscores the strength and prominence of the baseball program under coach Kevin O’Sullivan, as Donay marks the 116th player drafted during his tenure and the 231st in the program’s history. It’s a testament to O’Sullivan’s ability to cultivate talent, especially in a competitive league like the SEC.

Statistical Breakdown

Over his collegiate career, Donay’s performance has seen ups and downs, particularly during his first year in the SEC, where he struggled with a strikeout rate soaring to 38.9%. However, the Gators‘ fans witnessed a turnaround in his second year—he improved his strikeout rate to 25.2% and raised his walk rate significantly to 11.8%, finishing the season with a .343 ISO. As for the recent season, he had an impressive 1.064 OPS, cranking out 18 home runs with a batting average of .303, demonstrating his prowess at the plate.

Throughout his collegiate journey spanning three seasons, Donay accumulated a total of 44 home runs and drove in 111 runs, showcasing why he’s a player to watch as he transitions to play professionally in the minors.

For those following Gator baseball, Brody Donay’s selection marks yet another exciting chapter in a program rich with history and talent. As he steps into a new phase of his career, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how his skills translate to the big leagues.