The Tampa Bay Rays selected Florida catcher/designated hitter Brody Donay in the 17th round of the 2025 MLB draft with the 507th overall pick.

The Virginia Tech transfer spent two years as one of the biggest power threats in the SEC after making his way back to Florida. The Lakeland native mashed 32 home runs in a career .277/.376/.592 slash line over 106 games (97 starts). Most of his starts came at designated hitter for his bat, but he made 16 starts at catcher and seven at first base in the spring.

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There are still some mechanics to work out behind the plate if Donay is going to have a long pro career, but his raw power might be greater than Jac Caglianone’s. Tampa has developed plenty of power hitters in the past, and he’s local, making this the perfect fit

Brody Donay before Florida

Donay was the No. 38 overall player and third-ranked catcher from the state of Florida coming out of high school in 2022. Nationally ranked inside the top 250 by Perfect Game, it’s perplexing that Donay landed with Virginia Tech instead of an in-state school.

As a true freshman, Donay put up a .937 OPS and 12 home runs over 142 plate appearances. The power was obvious, even if it came with a 29.6% strikeout rate. A transfer to the SEC was imminent, and he landed back in his home state.

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Brody Donay at Florida

Donay struggled to adjust in his first year of SEC ball. His strikeout rate skyrocketed to 38.9% and his raw power (ISO) dipped from .325 to .281. The home run totals stayed relatively steady, but doubles and singles came less frequently than with Virginia Tech.

Year two with Florida went much better for Donay. He dropped his strikeout rate to a career-low 25.2% and nearly doubled his walk rate to 11.8% while hitting for more power than ever (.343 ISO). Donay got off to a blistering start in 2025, homering in each of the first four games of the year. Teams learned how to pitch around him a bit, and Donay struggled again in SEC play, but he ended the year with five home runs through the final nine games.

He remains a defensive liability behind the plate, but Donay’s raw power is too great to ignore. If the Rays can find a spot for him on the field, he’ll be one of the most feared bats in the minor leagues.

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Florida Gators drafted in 2025

Donay is the sixth Gator off the board in the 2025 MLB draft. The Chicago White Sox took shortstop Colby Shelton in the sixth round, the Miami Marlins took right-handed pitcher Jake Clemente in the seventh round and the Chicago Cubs drafted left-handed pitcher Pierce Coppola later on in the seventh round. Third baseman Bobby Boser went to the Athletics in the 11th round, and the Seattle Mariners drafted catcher Luke Heyman in the 14th round.

Florida has seen four or more players drafted in 16 of the last 17 years, five-plus picks in each of the last three and six-plus draft picks in three of the last five (2021, 2023, 2025). Donay is the 116th draftee under Kevin O’Sullivan — 231st in program history.

SS Colby Shelton – Round 6, Pick 166 (Chicago White Sox)

RHP Jake Clemente – Round 7 – Pick 198 (Miami Marlins)

LHP Pierce Coppola – Round 7 – Pick 211 (Chicago Cubs)

3B Bobby Boser – Round 11, Pick 320 (Athletics)

C Luke Heyman – Round 14, Pick 422 (Seattle Mariners)

C/DH Brody Donay – Round 17, Pick 507 (Tampa Bay Rays)

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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators C/DH Brody Donay 2025 MLB draft Tampa Bay Rays Round 17