Florida loses incoming transfer RHP Michael Ross to 2024 MLB draft

Samford right-hander Michael Ross won’t make it to Gainesville after all.

The incoming transfer turned down a year with the Florida Gators to sign an 18th-round deal with the Minnesota Twins. The financial details of the deal remain unknown for now.

Ross had a chance to join Florida’s weekend rotation, which should be anchored by returners Pierce Coppola and Liam Peterson. Ross was expected to be the third member of the weekend rotation, but now Florida will have to figure something else out.

Florida tried to convince Ross to stay in school for another year, pitching that a good year in the SEC could earn him more money. But Ross would lose all negotiating leverage if he returned for his senior year, potentially negating any gains made by the year at UF.

The Gators had a pretty good draft otherwise, but losing Ross hurts. Florida has now lost impact transfer arms in back-to-back offseasons. UCLA right-hander Kelly Austin signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Houston Astros after committing to Florida last season.

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