Jac Caglianone goes deep, former Gators stay hot in weekly MLB update

USA Today

23-06-2025

With the MLB season nearing the halfway point, several former Florida Gators are making some noise. Whether it's power, pitching or plate presence, Florida's alumni are showing up and impacting the game in meaningful ways.
Pete Alonso continues to anchor the Mets lineup with his signature power stroke, while Jac Caglianone is flashing the kind of raw talent that made him a high draft pick.
Wyatt Langford is trending in the right direction after a rocky start to June, and Brady Singer has quietly become a workhorse in Cincinnati. Meanwhile, veterans Harrison Bader and Jonathan India are trying to shake off recent slumps and find their footing again.
Here's how each of them performed over the past week.
Pete Alonso: First Baseman, New York Mets
Last 7 Games: .222 AVG | .276 OBP | .333 SLG | 1 HR | 2 RBI | 2 BB
2025 Season: .290 AVG | .385 OBP | .941 OPS | 18 HR | 64 RBI
Alonso cooled off at the plate over the past week, hitting just .222 across 27 at-bats, but still managed to leave the yard once and drive in two runs. Despite the dip in average, the former Gator remains a dangerous threat in the heart of the Mets' lineup and continues to draw walks and hit the ball hard.
The Polar Bear sits just under the .300 mark for the season and has already slugged 18 home runs. With All-Star voting heating up, Alonso remains one of the premier power bats in the National League and a steady presence as New York pushes to stay in playoff contention.
Jac Caglianone: Outfielder, Kansas City Royals
Last 7 Games: .167 AVG | .259 OBP | .458 SLG | 2 HR | 2 RBI | 2 BB
2025 Season: .203 AVG | .250 OBP | .594 OPS | 2 HR | 4 RBI
Caglianone broke through in a big way last week with the first two home runs of his professional career. He didn't rack up a lot of hits, but when he did connect, he made them count. The power that made him a Florida baseball legend is now flashing on the big-league stage.
The Royals are still managing expectations with their rookie slugger, but signs are pointing in the right direction. If Caglianone continues to adjust to MLB pitching and improves his approach, his natural pop could quickly make him a fixture in Kansas City's lineup.
Wyatt Langford: Outfielder, Texas Rangers
Last 7 Games: .286 AVG | .355 OBP | .357 SLG | 1 RBI | 1 BB
2025 Season: .237 AVG | .316 OBP | .750 OPS | 13 HR | 31 RBI | 11 SB
Langford turned in a solid bounce-back week at the plate, collecting eight hits and raising his average back toward the .240 mark. The former Florida star continues to show improved plate discipline and manages to get on base consistently while limiting strikeouts.
The Rangers are encouraged by his upward trend after a mid-June slump. Langford's blend of speed and power remains one of Texas' biggest weapons, and with the summer heat arriving, the sophomore outfielder could be poised for a strong second half as the ball starts flying across the league.
Harrison Bader: Outfielder, Minnesota Twins
Last 7 Games: .211 AVG | .286 OBP | .421 SLG | 1 HR | 3 RBI | 0 SB
2025 Season: .257 AVG | .344 OBP | .766 OPS | 7 HR | 27 RBI | 7 SB
Bader added another home run this week and drove in three runs, but the rest of his offensive line remained modest. He's still struggling to string together hits consistently, though his plate appearances have shown improvement in terms of patience and contact.
While the offensive production remains streaky, Bader's glove continues to be a major asset for Minnesota. His ability to track down fly balls in center field and make difficult plays look routine is keeping him in the lineup, even as the bat seeks more consistency.
Jonathan India: Infielder, Kansas City Royals
Last 7 Games: .143 AVG | .143 OBP | .286 SLG | 1 HR | 4 RBI | 1 BB
2025 Season: .238 AVG | .315 OBP | .646 OPS | 4 HR | 22 RBI
It was a rough week for India, who posted just four hits in 28 at-bats while striking out five times. The lone bright spot was a home run, his fourth of the season, and a four-RBI stretch that kept him marginally productive in an otherwise cold spell.
India remains a leader in the Royals' clubhouse, and Kansas City will need his experience as the young roster continues to develop. A more consistent approach at the plate could boost both his numbers and his value as a key piece in the lineup down the stretch.
Brady Singer: Starting Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
Last 3 Starts: 3-0 | 3.23 ERA | 39.0 IP | 32 H | 14 BB | 28 SO
2025 Season: 7-5 | 4.13 ERA | 80.2 IP | 67 SO | 1.30 WHIP
Singer continued his impressive June with another strong start, going six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals and allowing just one earned run with seven strikeouts. He's now won three straight outings and has become a stabilizing force in the Reds' rotation.
The former Gator has quietly put together a solid season. With a 4.13 ERA and growing confidence on the mound, Singer is giving the Reds exactly what they need from a dependable starting pitcher in a tight NL Central race.
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