Gators land priority OF Jaden Bastian from transfer portal
Gators land priority OF Jaden Bastian from transfer portal
Jacksonville center fielder Jaden Bastian has committed to the University of Florida baseball program, according to Baseball America's Jacob Rudner.
Bastian is a five-tool talent that could start right away at Florida. He batted .302/.433/.552 and crushed fastballs as one of the ASUN's most dangerous hitters in 2025. Bastian hit 11 home runs and stole 36 bases, checking off the baserunning, power and speed boxes. He's held down center field at an elite level, too. He'll have to compete with Blake Cyr, Kyle Jones and Hayden Yost for a starting spot, but Bastian should contribute plenty.
With Bastian and Jones now expected to make up two-thirds of the outfield, Florida has a chance to have one of the best groups in the country. It also gives the team some depth after injuries took out a chunk of the roster early on, including Jones.
Florida Baseball 2025 Transfer Portal Movement
Seven players have left Florida for the transfer portal this offseason. Left-handed sophomore Jacob Gomberg was the first to depart, followed by right-handers Alex Philpott (So.) and Carson Montsdeoca (Fr.). JUCO catcher Cole Bullen (Jr.) and right-handed freshmen Niko Janssens and Felix Ong made up the next wave of transfers. The most recent loss is freshman catcher Brock Clayton.
Florida's early exit from the NCAA Tournament allowed Kevin O'Sullivan to make recruiting calls ahead of schedule, and the Gators have brought in four names. Notre Dame senior Ricky Reeth and UCF sophomore Russell Sandefer are the new right-handed arms, and JUCO catcher AJ Malzone rounds out the group headlined by Bastian.
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