Karsten Whitson was the ninth overall selection in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The right-hander out of Chipley turned down a $2.1 million offer from the San Diego Padres and instead went to Florida.
Three years and a shoulder surgery later, Whitson was drafted again. This time, it was in the 37th round – 1,126th overall – by the Washington Nationals.
Whitson was one of two Gators picked by the Nationals on Saturday, and one of four Florida players who have seen playing time this year picked on the second and third days of the MLB Draft.
After the Detroit Tigers took junior pitcher Jonathon Crawford with the 20th overall pick in the first round on Thursday, UF had to wait 190 picks before another Gator was selected.
Left-handed reliever Daniel Gibson was second off the board, going 210th overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Gibson was 2-1 with a 4.42 ERA in 32 games in 2013, including a disastrous showing in his final appearance of the year.
In possibly his last appearance with the Gators, Gibson walked in the tying run and did not record an out in Florida’s 5-4 loss to Valparaiso.
After Gibson was selected, no Florida player was drafted for another 10 rounds.
Johnny Magliozzi was the third Gator selected, going to the New York Mets 506th overall. The Mets selected former Florida outfielder Matt Den Dekker in 2010 and pitcher Alex Panteliodis in 2011.
Magliozzi started four games for the Gators in 2013, but spent most of the season as Florida’s closer. He led the team with a 2.67 ERA and 12 saves.
Magliozzi pitched Florida’s last game of the year, going six innings and allowing four runs – three of which were earned.
Second off the board on Day 3 of the draft was infielder Cody Dent. The senior was selected by the Nationals 676th overall
Dent got the most playing time in his career in 2013, playing in 52 games and starting 48. He hit .169.
Gibson, Magliozzi and Whitson all have college eligibility remaining. The deadline for them to agree to contracts with their MLB squads is July 15.
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Left-handed reliever Daniel Gibson throws a pitch in the sixth inning of Florida’s 8-2 loss against Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 22 at McKethan Stadium. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Gibson 210th overall Friday on the second day of the MLB First-Year Player Draft.
