Gators in the MLB: Walk-offs, clutch moments and a pitcher's statement game
Pete Alonso turned heads with another display of defensive brilliance while continuing to rank among the National League's top sluggers. Jonathan India made headlines with his first walk-off homer in a Kansas City Royals uniform. Wyatt Langford bounced back after a tough start out of the break.
Brady Singer tossed one of his best outings of the season for the Cincinnati Reds. Meanwhile, Jac Caglianone hit the shelf just as his bat started to show signs of life, and Harrison Bader kept up his quietly outstanding month of July.
Here's how each former Florida star performed over the past week and what it could mean as the postseason push intensifies.
Pete Alonso: First Baseman, New York Mets
Last 7 Games: .120 AVG | .148 OBP | .240 SLG | 1 HR | 4 RBI
2025 Season: .266 AVG | .357 OBP | .504 SLG | 22 HR | 81 RBI
It's been a tough stretch at the plate for Alonso since the All-Star break. He's hitting just .120 over his last seven games, managing three hits in 25 at-bats while striking out nine times. But even in a slump, he managed to go deep once and drive in four runs.
Alonso also reminded fans of his underrated defense, securing a Mets win with a leaping catch at first base. Despite the cold streak, he remains one of the league's most feared hitters. A bounce-back at the plate feels inevitable.
Wyatt Langford: Outfielder, Texas Rangers
Last 7 Games: .174 AVG | .296 OBP | .261 SLG | 0 HR | 4 RBI
2025 Season: .233 AVG | .315 OBP | .413 SLG | 15 HR | 42 RBI
Langford's bat hasn't quite caught fire yet since returning from the break, but he has been more productive than the stat line suggests. He drove in four runs over the past week, including a clutch bases-clearing double that helped Texas take a key game from the Atlanta Braves.
While the strikeouts remain high–11 in his last seven games–the former Gator is showing better plate discipline with four walks. If he can cut down the whiffs, Langford has the tools to be a serious second-half difference-maker for Texas.
Jac Caglianone: Outfielder, Kansas City Royals
Last 7 Games: .174 AVG | .269 OBP | .348 SLG | 1 HR | 3 RBI
2025 Season: .147 AVG | .205 OBP | .280 SLG | 5 HR | 10 RBI
Caglianone was starting to show signs of adjustment to big-league pitching, logging four hits, a homer and three RBI over his last seven games. He also struck out just five times during that stretch–a notable improvement from earlier in the season.
Unfortunately, just as things were clicking, the rookie was sidelined with a hamstring strain and placed on the 10-day injury list. The Royals remain optimistic that the injury is minor. When he returns, Caglianone will have the chance to prove he belongs in Kansas City's long-term plans.
Harrison Bader: Outfielder, Minnesota Twins
Last 7 Games: .286 AVG | .375 OBP | .524 SLG | 1 HR | 3 RBI
2025 Season: .255 AVG | .336 OBP | .441 SLG | 12 HR | 38 RBI
Bader continues to do it all for the Twins. Over his last seven games, he's batting .286 with a home run and three RBI, while also contributing solid defense and baserunning. His ability to deliver timely hits and keep innings alive has been huge for a Minnesota team pushing for the postseason.
He's now batting close to .280 for the month with six homers and steady production in all facets of the game. Bader is quietly putting together one of the best all-around seasons of his career and there's even been some rumblings that the Los Angeles Dodgers have interest in the outfielder as the trade deadline approaches.
Jonathan India: Infielder, Kansas City Royals
Last 7 Games: .167 AVG | .286 OBP | .375 SLG | 1 HR | 6 RBI
2025 Season: .240 AVG | .322 OBP | .341 SLG | 5 HR | 30 RBI
India's overall numbers don't tell the whole story. Over the past week, he came up huge with six RBI–including a dramatic three-run walk-off home run that lifted the Royals to a 5-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians. That swing snapped a tough stretch and reminded everyone what India brings to the table when locked in.
Even when he's not raking, India's patience and leadership are key assets. With the Royals still hanging around, they'll need more moments like that from the former Gator going forward.
Brady Singer: Starting Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
Last Outing (July 27 vs. TB): 7.1 IP | 3 H | 1 ER | 1 BB | 8 SO
2025 Season: 8-8 | 4.60 ERA | 109.2 IP | 101 SO | 1.33 WHIP
Singer bounced back in a big way during his latest start, tossing 7.1 strong innings against the Tampa Bay Rays while allowing just one earned run on three hits. In one of Singer's sharpest outings of the year, he struck out eight and walked only one batter.
After giving up seven earned runs against the Washington Nationals in his previous appearance, Singer showed better command of his sinker and slider, keeping Tampa Bay hitters off balance the whole game. The outing lowered his ERA back to 4.60 and gave the Reds a critical win as they try to stay in the thick of the NL Wild Card hunt.
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