SI

Gators' Jac Caglianone, Projected Top MLB Pick, Makes Program History

Caglianone stands alone in Florida Gators baseball history.

Tim Capurso

Jun 19, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators first baseman Jac Caglianone (14) reacts after hitting a double against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators first baseman Jac Caglianone (14) reacts after hitting a double against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports / Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Jac Caglianone stands alone as a home run hitter in Florida Gators baseball history.

Caglianone, who already etched his way into the NCAA's record books back in April, this time rewrote his program's record books with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning of Wednesday's 15-4 win over the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats in an elimination game of the Men's College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.

The solo homer to right field, which came in the seventh pitch of his at-bat against Wildcats right-hander Johnny Hummel, was the 75th of Caglianone's career, surpassing former Gators star and ex-major leaguer Matt LaPorta for the most in Gators baseball history.

LaPorta, in attendance for the game, tipped his cap to the Florida star.

Caglianone, who also pitches for the Gators, now holds the program's single-season home run record and all-time home run record. The Tampa, Fla., native is widely regarded as a top five-pick in the upcoming 2024 MLB draft, which will take place from July 14-16, mostly due to a bat that produced a 1.195 OPS in three seasons with the Gators.

But MLB is likely far from Caglianone's mind at the moment, as he and the Gators are still very much alive in the College World Series. Florida will next take on Texas A&M in the semifinals later Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. ET.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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