South Florida Baseball Has Three Selected in MLB Draft for Second Consecutive Year
July 13, 2026 | Baseball
This is the first time since 2020 that the Bulls have had at least one draft pick in consecutive MLB Drafts
TAMPA, Fla. (July 13, 2026) – South Florida baseball has had three players selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. This marks the first time Bulls players have been drafted in consecutive years since a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020, during which a player was drafted every year.
"Having our players selected is great for the program, but even more importantly, it's a testament to the young men they are and the work they've put in," said South Florida Head Baseball Coach Mitch Hannahs. "We're proud of what they've accomplished and excited to watch them chase their dreams at the next level."
Ryan Pruitt was the first of the Bulls off the board, selected by the Houston Astros in the 9th round. Pruitt is the first Bulls position player to be drafted since catcher Carmine Lane was selected in 2022. Pruitt was South Florida's most consistent everyday player in the 2026 season, leading the team in games played (53), at-bats (193), and runs scored (48). In 2025, he started all 56 games of the season, recording a .281 batting average. Pruitt was very appreciative of his time as a Bull.
"I loved my time at South Florida. The coaches, facilities, campus, and everything South Florida had to offer was amazing. I liked the tough coaching style that Hannahs brought from Indiana State. I felt like it helped push me in every way to become the player that I am today."
Pitcher Edwin Alicea was the next Bull to go, drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 14th round. Alicea spent most of the 2026 season as South Florida's Friday starter. He made 10 starts in 19 appearances with 72.1 innings pitched. He went 6-5 on the year with a 5.23 ERA, leading the pitching staff in strikeouts with 60.
In the 16th round, pitcher Ethan Sutton was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Sutton was the Bulls' most trusted reliever and was recognized on the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch list. He led the team in saves with nine and appearances with 20.
Following the conclusion of the MLB Draft, South Florida catcher Lance Trippel signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers. He is the first Bull to sign as an undrafted free agent since 2022, when Dylan Burns and Logan Lyle both signed with the Chicago White Sox.
Trippel earned a spot on the American All-Conference second team in 2026. He had a 26-game reached base streak, the longest of any Bull during the year and the longest since 2021. In 2025, he started 51 games and batted .249 with 10 stolen bases.
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About South Florida Baseball
The University of South Florida baseball program, founded in 1966, has completed 61 seasons and just wrapped up 2026 as a member of the American Conference. Head coach Mitch Hannahs returned for his second year after leading the Bulls in 2025 to 32 wins in his debut—South Florida's most since 2018—and 16 victories in conference play, their best league performance since joining the American.
South Florida has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a Super Regional run in 2021. The Bulls have won five conference tournament titles and six regular-season championships.
The program has produced 137 MLB Draft picks, including six total in the 2025 and 2026 Drafts. Notable alumni include two-time MLB All-Star and 2018 first-round pick Shane McClanahan, 2022 fifth-round pick Orion Kerkering, and Washington Nationals pitcher Brad Lord. Bulls players have earned 12 All-America and 19 Freshman All-America honors.
– #GoBulls –
"Having our players selected is great for the program, but even more importantly, it's a testament to the young men they are and the work they've put in," said South Florida Head Baseball Coach Mitch Hannahs. "We're proud of what they've accomplished and excited to watch them chase their dreams at the next level."
Ryan Pruitt was the first of the Bulls off the board, selected by the Houston Astros in the 9th round. Pruitt is the first Bulls position player to be drafted since catcher Carmine Lane was selected in 2022. Pruitt was South Florida's most consistent everyday player in the 2026 season, leading the team in games played (53), at-bats (193), and runs scored (48). In 2025, he started all 56 games of the season, recording a .281 batting average. Pruitt was very appreciative of his time as a Bull.
"I loved my time at South Florida. The coaches, facilities, campus, and everything South Florida had to offer was amazing. I liked the tough coaching style that Hannahs brought from Indiana State. I felt like it helped push me in every way to become the player that I am today."
Pitcher Edwin Alicea was the next Bull to go, drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 14th round. Alicea spent most of the 2026 season as South Florida's Friday starter. He made 10 starts in 19 appearances with 72.1 innings pitched. He went 6-5 on the year with a 5.23 ERA, leading the pitching staff in strikeouts with 60.
In the 16th round, pitcher Ethan Sutton was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Sutton was the Bulls' most trusted reliever and was recognized on the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch list. He led the team in saves with nine and appearances with 20.
Following the conclusion of the MLB Draft, South Florida catcher Lance Trippel signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers. He is the first Bull to sign as an undrafted free agent since 2022, when Dylan Burns and Logan Lyle both signed with the Chicago White Sox.
Trippel earned a spot on the American All-Conference second team in 2026. He had a 26-game reached base streak, the longest of any Bull during the year and the longest since 2021. In 2025, he started 51 games and batted .249 with 10 stolen bases.
Follow us:
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Baseball news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
About South Florida Baseball
The University of South Florida baseball program, founded in 1966, has completed 61 seasons and just wrapped up 2026 as a member of the American Conference. Head coach Mitch Hannahs returned for his second year after leading the Bulls in 2025 to 32 wins in his debut—South Florida's most since 2018—and 16 victories in conference play, their best league performance since joining the American.
South Florida has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a Super Regional run in 2021. The Bulls have won five conference tournament titles and six regular-season championships.
The program has produced 137 MLB Draft picks, including six total in the 2025 and 2026 Drafts. Notable alumni include two-time MLB All-Star and 2018 first-round pick Shane McClanahan, 2022 fifth-round pick Orion Kerkering, and Washington Nationals pitcher Brad Lord. Bulls players have earned 12 All-America and 19 Freshman All-America honors.
– #GoBulls –
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