MLB Alumni

Austin Allen - C
Current: Free Agent
Draft: 2015, 4th Round, (SD)
MLB Debut: May 11, 2019

Allen is the first alumni of the Futures League (now Florida League Division II) to make it to the MLB. Prior to attending Florida Tech, Allen suited up for the Lake Mary Loggerheads in the summer of 2012. He garnered MVP honors after slashing .391/.480/.641 with a league best four home runs and 15 RBI in 18 games. In his three years at Tech, he won numerous awards including Freshman of the Year, All-Region 1st Team, and was a 2nd Team All-American. He was also a three-time Minor League All-Star. He walked in his first career plate appearance against Colorado on May 11, 2019. On December 2, 2019, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he spent three MLB seasons. 

Kyle Bird - LHP
Current: Retired in 2022
Draft: 2014, 35th Round (TB)
MLB Debut: March 28, 2019

Bird spent the 2012 summer with the Sanford River Rats. The lefty from Flagler College started four games for the Rats, tossing 20 innings on the mound while racking up 24 strikeouts. He was drafted two years later by Tampa Bay, and spent four years in their minor league system before being traded to Texas as part of a three-way trade in the winter of 2018. After debuting on Opening Day 2019 for Texas, Bird earned his first career save on April 10th against Arizona. Bird played in Texas in 2019, then played a season in Japan in 2021 before returning stateside in 2022, signing a contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Jabari Blash - OF
Current: Retired in 2020
Draft: 2010, 8th Round (SEA)
MLB Debut: April 4, 2016

Blash spent two seasons in the Florida League, both under the tutelage of Davey Johnson (2009 DeLand, 2010 Sanford). In 46 career Florida League games, he hit .288 with four home runs and 31 RBI. After signing with the Mariners, Blash destroyed Minor League pitching almost every year. Over the course of six seasons, he popped 120 longballs and drove in 370 runs. He was on the Opening Day roster for the Padres in 2016, and hit his first MLB home run on August 3rd. After spending time with the Angels in 2018, Blash signed with with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball, where he spent two seasons before calling it a career.

Corey Brown - OF
Current: Retired in 2018
Draft: 2007, 1st Round (OAK)
MLB Debut: September 6, 2011

Brown tore up the Florida League in his time with the Zephyrhills Snappers in 2005. He appeared in 14 games, hit.378 with seven extra-base hits, and also stole thirteen bases. After a banner year at Oklahoma State, the Athletics made him a first round pick in 2007. Brown earned six All-Star nominations at various Minor League levels throughout his career, and made his MLB debut in 2011 with the Washington Nationals. Brown played three seasons in Washington and one in Boston before retiring in 2018.

Stephen Cardullo
Current: Retired in 2024
Draft: 2010, 24th Round (AZ)
MLB Debut: August 26, 2016

Cardullo was a 2008 Sanford River Rat, appearing in 21 games and hitting .260 on the year. After his summer, he went back to Florida State and played his way to All-American honors for the Seminoles in 2009. He was drafted in 2010, and spent a couple years in the Minors before signing with an Independent League team. Cardullo caught the eye of the Rockies, who signed him to a Minor League deal. He was called up to Denver late in the 2016 season, and made headlines when he hit a home run in each game of the doubleheader on August 31st ... which happened to be his 29th birthday.  He played parts of two seasons with the Rockies. Cardullo concluded his career by signing a one-day contract with the New York Boulders in 2024, honoring his indy ball roots.

Kerry Carpenter - OF
Current: Detroit Tigers
Draft: 2019, 19th Round, (DET)
MLB Debut: August 10, 2022

Carpenter was a standout in his lone Florida League season, playing in 2018 for the Seminole County Scorpions. The outfielder hit .336 with a .509 slugging percentage, and was named First Team All-Florida League at designated hitter. It took him just over three years following his selection in the MLB Draft to make it to the Major Leagues, as the Virginia Tech alum hit at every level across the Tigers farm system, including MVP honors in the Florida Complex League in 2019. He exploded into the MLB conversation in 2022, and led Minor League Baseball in home runs with 30 before he was called up in August. 

Slade Cecconi - RHP
Current: Cleveland Guardians
Draft: 2020, Competitive Balance A, (ARI)
MLB Debut: August 2, 2023

Slade Cecconi pitched for the Seminole County Scorpions during the 2018 season, logging 12 strikeouts over nine innings and posting an earned run average of 1.00. After a stellar collegiate career at the University of Miami, Cecconi was one of the first 35 picks of the 2020 MLB Draft, and worked quickly through the Diamondbacks organization, getting to the Major Leagues in just over three years. Cecconi made his MLB debut in August 2023, getting a start for the Diamondbacks against San Francisco. The Miami product played two seasons in Arizona before being traded to Cleveland prior to the 2025 season.

Carlos Cortes - OF
Current: Athletics
Draft: 2018, 3rd Round, (NYM)
MLB Debut: July 23, 2025

Carlos Cortes was a standout for the 2016 Sanford River Rats in the first month of the season, hitting .426 with 15 runs batted in across 12 regular season contests. Cortes went on to the University of South Carolina, and was selected by the Mets in the third round of the 2018 Draft. Cortes spent parts of eight years in Minor League Baseball, getting up to triple-A in the Mets organization before moving over to the Athletics prior to the 2025 season. Cortes finally got the call in July of 2025, making a pinch-hit appearance in the Athletics' July 24 game against the Texas Rangers.

Jharel Cotton - RHP
Current: Retired in 2023
Draft: 2012, 20th Round (LAD)
MLB Debut: September 7, 2016

Jharel and his brother Jamaine both played for Davey Johnson and the 2009 DeLand Suns. Jharel then went on to play at East Carolina University, and was drafted by the Dodgers in 2012. He was selected to play in the Futures Game in 2016, and was traded from the Dodgers to the Athletics in the Rich Hill trade late in July 2016. He debuted shortly thereafter, and excelled in his first game, allowing one run on two hits over 6.1 innings. He finished the season 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA over five games. After four years with the A's organization, Cotton was traded to the Chicago Cubs on November 23, 2019. He played for the Texas Rangers in 2021, then saw time with the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants in 2022 before concluding his professional career with a season in Japan.

Dylan Crews
Current: Washington Nationals
Draft: 2023, 1st Round, (WAS)
MLB Debut: August 26, 2024

Dylan Crews is perhaps the most lauded prospect ever to come through the Florida League. Crews played for the Sanford River Rats in 2020 as a rising freshman, and helped Sanford to a Florida League title before returning to the River Rats for a short stint in 2021. After an All-American career at LSU, Crews was the second overall selection in the 2023 MLB Draft to the Nationals. The outfielder spent just over one year in the minor leagues, making his Major League debut with the Nationals in August 2024.

Jacob deGrom - RHP
Current: Texas Rangers
Draft: 2010, 9th Round (NYM)
MLB Debut: May 15, 2014

deGrom stayed home for parts of two summers, playing for the DeLand Suns at Conrad Park, home of the Stetson University Hatters. In 2009, deGrom played for Davey Johnson, making five appearances and allowing zero earned runs. In 2010, he started one game for the Suns before being drafted and signed by the Mets. He flew through the Mets farm system, and had a tremendous rookie year in 2014, earning National League Rookie of the Year honors with a 9-6 record and 2.69 ERA. His sophomore season was even more impressive, as he earned his first All-Star bid, and finished fourth in the league in ERA (2.54). He produced a banner year in 2018, stringing together 28 quality starts, a 1.70 ERA and 269 strikeouts en route to the National League Cy Young Award. In 2019, deGrom became the 11th pitcher in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award back-to-back years after he went 11-8 with a 2.43 ERA in 204.0 IP over 32 starts. He racked up 255 strikeouts over the course of the season. He earned his fourth All-Star selection in 2021, and signed with the Texas Rangers in 2023.

Montana Durapau - RHP
Current: Retired in 2021
Draft: 2014, 32nd Round (PIT)
MLB Debut: May 9, 2019

Durapau played two full seasons for Rick Hall and the DeLand Suns. He posted a sterling 1.00 ERA over 36 innings for DeLand in 2011, and then dominated on the mound in 2012. In 38.2 total innings, he struck out 54 batters and was named an All-Star. He also helped the Suns win their first FCSL championship. He was a two-time MiLB All-Star, and struck out 295 hitters in 281 innings while saving 57 games over five years. He debuted for the Pirates on May 9, 2019, striking out one over two innings against the Cardinals. Durapau retired following the 2021 season.

Seth Elledge - RHP
Current: Midland RockHounds (AA)
Draft: 2017, 4th Round, (SEA)
MLB Debut: August 16, 2020

Elledge pitched for the Altamonte Springs Boom in 2015, earning 2015 All-Star Game honors and also pitched on the 2015 Prospect Showcase Team. He finished that summer 3-0 with a 0.44 ERA in 20.2 IP. He had 39 strikeouts in 15 games, only walking six batters and allowed ten hits in that span. After being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2017, he was traded on July 27, 2018 to the St. Louis Cardinals. Elledge made his MLB debut on August 16, 2020, and spent two seasons with the Cardinals. He was signed by the Atlanta Braves entering the 2022 season, and spent two season with the Braves farm system before moving on to stops with the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and Oakland Athletics' systems.

Santiago Espinal - 2B
Current: Cincinnati Reds
Draft: 2016, 10th Round, (BOS)
MLB Debut: July 25, 2020

Espinal played for the Sanford River Rats in 2015 where he hit .339, smacking 56 hits over 48 games. He drove in 23 runs and had 24 walks to add to this resume, ultimately leading to the 2015 FCSL MVP Award. That summer, he earned his way on to the All-Star Team, Prospect Showcase Team, and the Korean Series team. After being drafted by the Red Sox in 2016, he was traded to the Blue Jays in 2018. He then made the 2020 Opening Day roster, and spent four seasons north of the border, including an All-Star campaign in 2022. He was traded in spring of 2024 to the Cincinnati Reds.

Alex Freeland
Current: Los Angeles Dodgers
Draft: 2022, 3rd Round, (LAD)
MLB Debut: July 30, 2025

Freeland was one of the youngest players in the Florida League during the 2020 season, but proved to be one of the best. Playing for the Covid-expansion Leesburg Storm, Freeland was a First Team All-Florida League selection, hitting .397 with 17 runs batted in and 15 runs scored. After two seasons at UCF, Freeland was drafted in the third round by the Dodgers in 2022, and took just over three seasons to get to the Majors. Freeland was a postseason All-Star in double-A during the 2024 season, and earned his promotion to the defending World Series champion Dodgers during the 2025 season.

Nick Goody - RHP
Current: Retired in 2022
Draft: 2012, 6th Round (NYY)
MLB Debut: July 30, 2015

Representing State College of Florida, Goody starred for the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs in 2010, leading them to the Florida League Championship. He posted a 5-2 record across 10 games with a 1.52 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. He then transferred to SEC power LSU, where he served as the closer for the 2012 SEC champs, saving eleven games. After three years in the Minors that included an All-Star nod in 2015, Goody made his debut with the Yankees, where he served as a bullpen arm in 2015 and 2016. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians in December 2016, and played three seasons in Cleveland. On November 26, 2019, Goody was claimed by the Texas Rangers, where he spent the 2020 season. He spent the 2021 season with affiliates of the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals, before concluding his career with stops in Mexico and independent baseball in 2022. In 2025, Goody became the first Florida League Major Leaguer to return to the league as a coach, serving as an assistant coach for the Sanford River Rats.

Colton Gordon - LHP
Current: Houston Astros
Draft: 2021, 8th Round, (HOU)
MLB Debut: May 14, 2025

Gordon played for the vaunted Orlando Scorpions team of 2020, and was the second member of that team to make his Major League debut. In three appearances for coach Bob Rikeman's team, Gordon struck out eight hitters across 5.2 innings of work near the end of the summer. The UCF product was drafted in the eighth round by Houston the following year, and made his way to the Major Leagues in just his fourth season of professional baseball. Gordon immediately entered the starting rotation for the Astros after making his debut, and earned his first career victory following five strong innings on the road against the Cleveland Guardians on June 6.

Shane Greene - RHP
Current: Free Agent
Draft: 2009, 15th Round (NYY)
MLB Debut: April 24, 2014

Greene was briefly a member of the 2009 Clermont Mavericks before being drafted and signing with the Yankees. After five years in the Minors that included an All-Star nomination and a Pitcher of the Week award, Greene debuted for the Tigers in 2014. He made headlines in 2015 as a part of the Tigers rotation, winning his first three games in April while allowing only one earned run in 23 innings to start the year. After being selected to the 2019 American League All-Star team, Greene was traded to the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline. Greene played three seasons with the Braves before moving on to MLB stops with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs. Prior to the 2024 season, Greene signed a free agent contract with the Texas Rangers, playing for their AAA affiliate.

Cody Hall - RHP
Current: Retired in 2018
Draft: 2011, 19th Round (SF)
MLB Debut: September 3, 2015

Hall played in 12 games for the 2010 Orlando Mavericks, tallying 22 strikeouts in 16 innings of work. After a year at Southern University, he was drafted by the Giants, and earned a Minor League All-Star bid with the Augusta Greenjackets in 2012. He played in seven games for the San Francisco Giants in 2015, and two games for the Marlins in 2016. He played two more seasons in Minor League Baseball before retiring in 2018.

Darick Hall - 1B
Current: Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
Draft: 2016, 14th Round, (PHI)
MLB Debut: June 29, 2022

Darick Hall was signed to play for head coach Kevin Davidson and the Sanford River Rats, but headed to the Phillies organization after his selection in that year's MLB Draft. Hall tore through the Phillies' farm system, and was named an Organization All-Star by MiLB.com three straight years from 2017-2019. The Dallas Baptist product made his Major League debut on June 29, 2022, and made an immediate impact in Philadelphia, hitting two home runs in just his second MLB game and needing just 18 games to log five home runs.

Austin Hays - OF
Current: Cincinnati Reds
Draft: 2016, 3rd Round (BAL)
MLB Debut: September 7, 2017 

Hays was the 2014 Florida League MVP as a member of the DeLand Suns. After a great year at Seminole State (FL), Hays played for the Suns before heading to Jacksonville University in the fall. His summer was impressive, as he posted a slash line of .349/.383/.513 while leading the league in hits (53) and extra-base hits (15). He was a 3rd rounder in 2016 for Baltimore (#91 overall), and quickly made his mark in the Minors. He was an organizational All-Star in 2016 and a Carolina League All-Star in 2017. Hays earned three Player of the Week awards in 2017, and was named one of five finalists for the Minor League Player of the Year award. He was the first player from the 2016 draft to play in the Majors, and spent seven seasons in Baltimore, including an All-Star season in 2023, before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024. He signed a free agent contract with Cincinnati prior to the 2025 season.

Chris Heston - RHP
Current: Retired in 2018
Draft: 2009, 12th Round (SF)
MLB Debut: September 13, 2014

Heston was a 2007 Altamonte Springs Snapper and a 2008 Sanford River Rat. As a representative of Seminole State College, he appeared in 13 games during his two summers, tossing 69.1 innings an ERA of 2.20 and 72 strikeouts. Once drafted, he earned three organizational All-Star awards, and debuted in 2014. After making the Giants' rotation in 2015, Heston made headlines with an 11 strikeout no-hitter against the New York Mets on June 9, 2015. He was awarded National League Pitcher of the Week for his efforts. Heston played three seasons with the Giants before retiring from professional baseball in 2018.

Codi Heuer - RHP
Current: Round Rock Express (AAA)
Draft: 2018, 6th Round, (CWS)
MLB Debut: July 24, 2020

Heuer pitched for the Altamonte Springs Boom in 2016 and was named to the 2016 Florida League All-Star Game. The right hander from Wichita State went 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 2 saves in 22.0 IP, racking up 31 strikeouts and only allowing six walks over the course of the summer. After being drafted in 2018, Heuer made the Chicago White Sox Opening Day roster in 2020. Heuer was dealt to the North Side in 2021, part of the deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to the South Side. He signed with the Texas Rangers organization prior to the 2024 season.

Gunnar Hoglund - RHP
Current: Athletics
Draft: 2021, 1st Round (TOR)
MLB Debut: May 2, 2025

Hoglund was a position player during his time in the Florida League, hitting for the Seminole County Scorpions during the 2019 season. The Mississippi product hit two home runs and drove in 12 for Seminole County that summer, and earned selection to the Florida League's Prospect Showcase team. He was a first round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2021, at the time the highest selection for a Florida League alumni. Less than a year after being drafted, he was traded to the then-Oakland Athletics, quickly rising through the ranks before making his MLB debut in 2025. He was the winning pitcher in his Major League debut, striking out seven and allowing just one run over six innings against the Miami Marlins.

Bryan Lavastida - IF
Current: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (AAA)
Draft: 2018, 15th Round, (CLE)
MLB Debut: April 10, 2022

After just 176 games in the minors, Lavastida earned a spot on the Opening Day roster in 2022 for the Cleveland Guardians. He reached base via a walk in his first MLB game. Lavastida played ten games in 2017 for the Sanford River Rats, and was drafted less than a year later by the then-Cleveland Indians in the 15th round out of Hillsborough CC. During his three seasons in Minor League Baseball, Lavastida was named a Short Season All-Star in 2019 by Baseball America, and was listed as an MiLB.com Organizational All-Star in the Cleveland farm system in 2021.

Justin Lawrence - RHP
Current: Pittsburgh Pirates
Draft: 2015, 12th Round, (COL)
MLB Debut: April 29, 2021

Lawrence had a busy 2014 with the Florida League when he started off the summer playing with the College Park Freedom. He would also play in the All-Star Game, the Showcase Series in Georgia against the Sun Belt League Prospect Team, and also represented the league in the Korean Series. After being drafted out of Jacksonville in 2015, he would start his climb through the minor leagues playing at various A-Ball levels through 2018 and participate in the Arizona Fall League that year before climbing to AA and AAA in 2019. After a missed year in 2020, he would be placed in the Rockies Alternate Training Site for the 2021 before getting his call up on April 29, 2021 and throwing a scoreless inning in his debut. Lawrence played four seasons in Colorado before joining the Pirates in 2025.

Josh Lucas
Current: Retired in 2023
Draft: 2010, 21st Round (STL)
MLB Debut: August 19, 2017

Lucas was set to play for the Sanford River Rats in 2010, but was drafted in the 21st round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. The righthanded pitcher had a long journey to the Major Leagues, spending eight seasons in the Cardinals farm system before making his MLB debut on August 19, 2017. He pitched five games for the Cardinals in 2017, then added eight games for the Oakland A's in 2018 and nine games for the Baltimore Orioles in 2019. He played a final affiliated season in 2021 in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization before finishing his career of 13 seasons with two years in independent baseball.

Jonathan Lucroy -  C
Current: Retired in 2021
Draft: 2007, 3rd Round (MIL)
MLB Debut: May 21, 2010

Lucroy spent two seasons with the Florida League, with Sanford in 2005 and Winter Park in 2006. In those two years, he hit a combined .325 with 8 home runs and 41 RBI in 60 games. He collected an All-Star nomination in each of his three years in the minors, and debuted for the Brewers in 2010. He quickly became known as one of the top catchers in baseball, and was selected to the 2014 and 2016 MLB All-Star games. He also helped Team USA to a World Baseball Classic title in 2017. He set career highs in home runs and RBIs with the Rangers in 2016. After his time with the Rangers, Lucroy spent time with the Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, and Atlanta Braves. He will be inducted in Milwaukee's Wall of Honor in 2022.

Justyn-Henry Malloy - OF
Current: Detroit Tigers
Draft: 2021, 6th Round (ATL)
MLB Debut: June 3, 2024

Justyn-Henry Malloy was signed to play for the loaded Orlando Scorpions in 2020, but never made it to central Florida during the Covid-altered campaign. After being drafted on the second day of the 2021 Draft, it took the Georgia Tech product less than three years to get to the Major Leagues, as the outfielder was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star in both of his full seasons in the minors. After being traded from the Braves to the Tigers prior to the 2023 season, Malloy was a Futures Game selection and a Triple-A All-Star in 2023 before earning his call to the big leagues in the first half of the 2024 season.

Mike McClendon - RHP
Current: Retired in 2016
Draft: 2006, 10th Round (MIL)
MLB Debut: August 14, 2010

McClendon, from Seminole State College (FL), was a member of the 2005 Winter Haven Warthogs, appearing in six games and striking out 22 in 22.1 innings. He spent four years in the Milwaukee farm system after being drafted, earning two All-Star nominations. He debuted with Milwaukee in 2010, and finished his MLB career with a perfect 5-0 record in 35 games in three seasons with the Brewers. He spent four more years in professional baseball after leaving the Brewers - two in the farm system of the Colorado Rockies and two in independent baseball.

Johnny Monell Jr. - C
Current: Retired in 2018
Draft: 2007, 30th Round (SFG)
MLB Debut: September 5, 2013

Monell suited up for the 2007 Winter Park Diamond Dawgs out of Seminole State College (FL). He signed shortly after being drafted, and enjoyed a successful Minor League career, earning three All-Star nods. He debuted for the Giants in 2013, was traded to both the Orioles and Dodgers, and then landed with the Mets, who he played in 27 games for in 2015. He hit 19 home runs with 75 RBI in 2016 with AAA Las Vegas, and would play one more season in the minors before retiring in 2018.

Parker Messick - LHP
Current: Cleveland Guardians
Draft: 2022, 2nd Round (CLE)
MLB Debut: August 20, 2025

In a league full of stars, Parker Messick was among the brightest during the 2020 Florida League season, earning FCSL Pitcher of the Year honors during his time with the Winter Garden Squeeze. Messick went 3-0 with a 0.49 earned run average, striking out 27 hitters across 18.1 innings. After continuing his success at Florida State, Messick was drafted in the second round by the Guardians in 2022, and made his way through the Cleveland system in just over three years. The lefthander played in the Futures Game during the 2025 season, and was called up to the Majors just over a month later, making his debut as Cleveland's starting pitcher against the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 20, with the Guardians in a battle for a playoff spot.

Jimmy Nelson - RHP
Current: Retired in 2023
Draft: 2010, 2nd Round (MIL)
MLB Debut: September 6, 2013

Nelson was yet another member of the loaded 2009 DeLand Suns team coached by Davey Johnson. The big righty from Alabama posted a 2.76 ERA in 11 games, and led the league in strikeouts with 75 in 58.2 innings. He pitched in the 2013 Futures Game, and was the AAA PCL Pitcher of the Year in 2014. He led the Brewers in strikeouts in 2015 (148) and 2016 (140). After a few more years with the Brewers, Nelson signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 7, 2020, and played for the Dodgers during the 2021 season. He then played one more Minor League season with the Dodgers in 2023.

Tomas Nido
Current: Toledo Mud Hens (AAA)
Draft: 2012, 8th Round (NYM)
MLB Debut: September 13, 2017

Nido was signed to play for the 2012 Winter Park Diamond Dawgs coming out of high school, but headed off to the New York Mets organization after being selected in the eighth round of the 2012 MLB Draft. Nido advanced through the Mets' farm system, and made his MLB debut in the final days of the 2017 season. His time in the minors included selection to the MLB Futures Game in 2017, as well as All-Star accolades for the St. Lucie Mets in 2016. The catcher played eight seasons for the Mets from 2017-2024, then played for the Chicago Cubs in 2024 before signing a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers later that year.

Peter O'Brien - LF
Current: Pericos de Puebla (Mexico)
Draft: 2012, 2nd Round (NYY)
MLB Debut: September 11, 2015 

O'Brien was a member of Davey Johnson's 2009 DeLand Suns. Playing out of Bethune Cookman, he hit .250 that summer, with five home runs and 19 RBI in 23 games. He would later transfer to the University of Miami, where he would earn All-American honors in 2012. He smashed his way through the minors, banging out 92 home runs in four seasons before being called up by Arizona in 2015. He hit his first MLB home run on October 2nd, 2015 in his sixth Major League game. He was traded to the Marlins in 2018, and would play two seasons in Miami. He has become a standout in Mexico in his later career, playing four seasons as of 2024 south of the border.

Roberto Perez - C
Current: Free Agent
Draft: 2008, 33rd Round (CLE)
MLB Debut: July 10, 2014 

Perez attended Florida Gateway College and was a member of the 2008 Belleview Bulldogs, where he hit .232 in 27 games with 9 runs and 13 RBI. After six years in the Cleveland Minor League system, he debuted in 2014 with the Tribe. He was a key component to the Indians World Series run in 2016, throwing out 50% of baserunners and starting every playoff game at catcher. He made headlines in Game One of the World Series when he hit two home runs off Cubs starter Jon Lester to lead Cleveland to a victory. In 2019, Perez led all AL catchers in putouts (1,082), caught stealing percentage (40.9%), defensive runs saved (29), and turned 12 double plays. He won the Gold Glove, Fielding Bible, and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards at the conclusion of the season. He then won the Gold Glove and Fielding Bible awards again in 2020. He completed an eight-year stint with Cleveland in 2021, and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the 2022 season. He played for the Pirates in 2022 and the San Francisco Giants in 2023 before signing a Minor League deal with the Boston Red Sox in 2024.

Zach Reks - OF
Current: Free Agent
Draft: 2017, 10th Round, (LAD)
MLB Debut: June 21, 2021

Zach Reks played for coach Rick Hall and the DeLand Suns in 2016, fresh off his first season of college baseball at Kentucky. The outfielder hit .256 over 36 games for the Suns, driving in 14 runs and scoring 25. After being drafted in the 10th round of the 2017 draft, Reks tore through the Dodgers organization, hitting .305 over four minor league seasons, and was named a MiLB Organization All-Star in 2019. He made his Major League debut on June 21, 2021 in Los Angeles' game against the San Diego Padres. Reks moved on to the Texas Rangers in 2022, and earned his first MLB hit on April 30, 2022. Since then, he played two seasons in South Korea before returning stateside to sign a Minor League deal with the San Diego Padres.

Drew Romo - C
Current: Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
Draft: 2020, CB-A Round, (COL)
MLB Debut: August 17, 2024

Drew Romo was signed to play for the 2020 Sanford River Rats, but was drafted with the 35th overall pick in the shortened 2020 MLB Draft before he made it to Seminole County. Romo, who was set to play for the River Rats as an incoming freshman committed to LSU, quickly rose through the Colorado organization, earning MiLB Organization All-Star honors in both 2021 and 2023. He made his MLB debut in August of 2024, and logged his first career hit three nights later on August 20, 2024, leading off the top of the ninth with a single against the Washington Nationals.

Gus Schlosser - RHP
Current: Retired in 2016
Draft: 2011, 14th Round (ATL)
MLB Debut: March 31, 2014 

Schlosser was a member of the Sanford River Rats in 2008 out of State College of Florida. He later transferred to Florida Southern where he earned a Gold Glove and All-Sunshine State Conference honors. In 2012, he was named the Lynchburg Hillcats (Braves High A) Pitcher of the Year, and earned two All-Star bids in 2012 and 2013. He made his Major League debut in 2014 with the Braves and spent time with the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers before his retirement.

Eric Skoglund - LHP
Current: Retired in 2022
Draft: 2014, 3rd Round (KC)
MLB Debut: May 3, 2017

Skoglund joined the College Park Freedom for the latter half of the 2013 summer season. The UCF Knight appeared in four games for the Freedom,  tossing 21 innings with a 17:4 K/BB ratio. The following spring, Skoglund was named the Top Pitcher in the American Athletic Conference and was selected by the Royals in the 3rd round. His debut came against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers. Skoglund was masterful, spinning 6.1 innings while allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out five to earn the win. Skoglund would pitch three seasons with the Royals, with the 2019 season his last year. He played one more seasons in the minors with the Royals in 2022 before calling it a career.

Aaron Slegers - RHP
Current: Retired in 2022
Draft: 2013, 5th Round (MIN)
MLB Debut: August 17, 2017

Slegers suited up for the 2012 Orlando Freedom on behalf of the Indiana Hoosiers. He appeared in nine games. and over the course of 21 innings, struck out 29 batters against only 11 walks. He was selected by the Twins in the 5th round of the 2013 draft, and posted 43 wins in five seasons over all levels. He earned International League (AAA) Pitcher of the Week honors on July 23, and was called up to Minnesota a few weeks later. In his first career start, he allowed two runs on two hits in 6.1 innings against Cleveland. Slegers was claimed by the Pirates on January 11, 2019 before he was then traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on March 30th of that year. He pitched for the Rays in 2019 and 2020, then moved to the Los Angeles Angels for the 2021 season. He returned to the Rays organization for the 2022 campaign, his last in professional baseball.

Josh Smith - RHP
Current: Retired in 2023
Draft: 2010, 21st Round (CIN)
MLB Debut: June 23, 2015 

Smith played for the 2009 Sanford River Rats out of Lipscomb University. He posted a 3-1 record with 24 strikeouts in 23.2 innings that summer. At Lipscomb in 2010, he was named 1st Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference, and was fourth in the country in strikeouts. After spending two years with the Reds, he was picked up by the Oakland Athletics off waivers in November of 2016, and was signed as a free agent by Boston in 2018. He left the Red Sox via free agency at the conclusion of the 2019 season, signing with the Miami Marlins for 2020. He ended his career with two years overseas - one in South Korea and one in Mexico.

Dee Strange-Gordon - 2B
Current: Retired in 2022
Draft: 2008, 4th Round (LAD)
MLB Debut: June 6, 2011

Strange-Gordon, then known as Dee Gordon, didn't last long as a Belleview Bulldog after being selected in the fourth round of the draft in 2008. He flew through the minors, earning accolades like Top Prospect, Player of the Year and numerous All-Star bids. Following his MLB debut in 2011, he was a three-time stolen base champion, a two-time National League All-Star, and winner of the National League Batting Title, the Silver Slugger, and a Gold Glove in 2015 with the Miami Marlins. His MLB career included time with the Dodgers, Marlins, Mariners, and Nationals.   

Forrest Wall - OF
Current: El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
Draft: 2014, Competitive Balance A (COL)
MLB Debut: July 22, 2023

Wall signed with the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs and head coach Kevin Davidson in 2014, but was drafted in the 1st round before playing in Winter Park. Wall, who also played in the Florida League High School Invitational with Orangewood Christian, was twice named an Organizational All-Star and once a Midseason All-Star during his nine years in Minor League Baseball. Wall finally got the call in 2023, and made an immediate impact for the Atlanta Braves. Wall came on as a pinch-runner in the ninth, and stole second and third base on back to back pitches. He spent parts of two seasons in the Majors with Atlanta, then signed with the Miami Marlins in 2024 before moving on to play in the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres organizations.