Antonio Jimenez headlines UCF’s 2025 MLB Draft class
UCF shortstop Antonio Jimenez became one of the highest-drafted players in program history on Sunday, going to the New York Mets with the No. 102 overall pick in the third round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
Jimenez, who transferred from Miami and played his sophomore season in Orlando, is now the ninth-highest draft pick in UCF history and the 127th overall Knight selected. He’s the sixth Knight all-time to be drafted in the third round and the seventh by the Mets organization.
A second team All-Big 12 selection, Jimenez turned in a stellar 2025 campaign, slashing .329/.407/.575 with 11 home runs, 14 doubles, two triples, 55 runs scored and 51 RBIs. He also tallied 11 stolen bases and finished second on the team in multiple offensive categories including home runs, RBIs, runs scored, and extra-base hits (25).
Defensively, the Davie, Fla., native anchored the middle infield with a .961 fielding percentage, starting all 55 games at shortstop. He helped turn 52 double plays, tied for ninth nationally, as part of a much-improved UCF infield unit.
Jimenez was the first Knight off the board, but four more UCF players heard their names called during the second day of the draft, bringing the Knights’ total to five draftees, the program’s highest single-year total since 2018.
Espinal taken in 10th round by Tigers
Edian Espinal, a second baseman by trade who was drafted as a catcher, was selected in the 10th round (No. 309 overall) by the Detroit Tigers. The Puerto Rico native made an immediate impact in his lone season with the Knights after transferring from Chipola College, where he was a two-time All-Panhandle Conference pick.
Espinal hit .335 in 2025 with 17 extra-base hits, 41 runs, 37 RBIs, 21 walks and 11 stolen bases. At one point early in the season, he led the nation in batting average and went on to compile a 14-game hitting streak and a 28-game on-base streak. He appeared in 51 games with 46 starts (33 at second base and 13 at designated hitter) and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.
Galvan rebounds to earn 13th-round selection
Right-handed reliever Alex Galvan was taken in the 13th round (No. 393 overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks after posting a 2.86 ERA across 17 appearances. The New Jersey native limited opponents to a .202 batting average and notched 38 strikeouts over 28.1 innings, tying for the team lead with two saves.
Galvan spent the previous three seasons at Louisville before transferring to UCF in 2024, a year that was cut short by injury. He bounced back in 2025 with a steady presence out of the bullpen.
King follows family legacy with 17th-round selection
Redshirt junior catcher Dylan King was selected in the 17th round (No. 504 overall) by the Cincinnati Reds. The Delray Beach native and American Heritage alum is the son of former UCF catcher Brad King, who was also drafted in the 17th round by the Chicago Cubs in 1996.
King emerged as UCF’s primary catcher in 2025, starting 40 games behind the plate and catching the final 19 contests of the season. He hit .326 with nine home runs, 13 doubles, two triples, 34 runs and 34 RBIs. His 24 extra-base hits were second on the team, and he led the roster in slugging (.652) and on-base percentage (.442).
Defensively, King recorded 318 putouts, 23 assists and a .977 fielding percentage while throwing out seven attempted base stealers.
Smith rounds out UCF draft class
Right-hander Angelo Smith became the fifth and final Knight selected, going to the Los Angeles Angels in the 18th round (No. 529 overall). The Coral Springs product transferred to UCF from Indian River State College, where he helped lead the Pioneers to a JUCO Final Four appearance.
In his lone season at UCF, Smith led the team with a 2.83 ERA across 14 outings. He allowed just nine earned runs in 28.2 innings, striking out 24 and holding hitters to a .250 average. He also recorded one win, one save, and seven scoreless appearances.
With five more selections in 2025, UCF’s all-time draft total now stands at 131 players.
