Florida Baseball’s 2025 Summer Surge: Tracking Where Gators and Future Stars Are Making Noise Across the Nation This Summer
With the conclusion of the 2025 college baseball season, Florida Gators players and incoming signees are scattering across the country to participate in summer leagues, sharpening their skills and competing against elite talent. The summer circuit is critical for development, especially for players eyeing bigger roles next season or preparing for future MLB Draft evaluations. For head coach Kevin O’Sullivan and the Florida program, this summer offers a chance to evaluate returning veterans, breakout candidates, and talented newcomers as they face live competition in wood-bat leagues.
Summer baseball also provides a rare window into a player’s adaptability. With different teammates, new coaches, and environments far from Gainesville, the Gators’ roster gets to show who can perform under pressure in unfamiliar territory. From the prestigious Cape Cod League in Massachusetts to the competitive fields of the Northwoods, Appalachian, and Florida Collegiate leagues, UF’s presence is felt across the summer baseball map.
Here’s an in-depth look at where Florida’s current players and future Gators are spending their summer, what roles they’re taking on, and how these assignments might impact the team heading into the 2026 season.
The Cape Cod Baseball League is widely considered the most competitive amateur summer league in the country, attracting scouts in droves and top collegiate talent from every Power Five program. Florida is once again well-represented here, with several of its key contributors donning uniforms for top CCBL squads.
Jac Caglianone, Florida’s two-way superstar and likely top-5 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, isn’t participating this summer to preserve his health and focus on draft preparation. However, younger players like Ashton Wilson, Tucker Talbott, and Brock Schofield are competing on the Cape and gaining invaluable exposure.
Wilson, who saw limited action in the outfield as a freshman, is playing for the Cotuit Kettleers and has already drawn praise for his improved bat speed and range in the field. Talbott is suiting up for the Wareham Gatemen, where he’s working extensively on improving his pitch recognition. Meanwhile, Schofield has been a utility standout for the Orleans Firebirds, showing off his versatility by playing three infield positions while hitting near .300 in the first few weeks.
The Cape is not just about numbers—it’s about the experience of playing nightly against elite competition. These reps, combined with feedback from MLB scouts, are likely to catapult these players into more significant roles for the Gators next spring.
Known for its grueling travel schedule and high number of games, the Northwoods League tests a player’s endurance and consistency over the summer. Several Gators are braving the challenge, including Ben Morgan, Caleb Lopes, and Tyler Driver.
Morgan, a right-handed pitcher with electric stuff but inconsistent command during the spring, is looking to find more rhythm in a starter’s role. Pitching for the Madison Mallards, he’s averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, while significantly improving his walk rate—something the Florida coaching staff has been closely monitoring.
Lopes and Driver, both catchers vying for increased playing time next season, are using the Northwoods as an opportunity to improve their offensive impact. Driver has already launched five home runs with the La Crosse Loggers and is among the league leaders in RBIs. Lopes, meanwhile, is getting valuable defensive reps and working closely with pitchers, furthering his case as Florida’s future behind the plate.
These Northwoods League performances matter, especially in evaluating who can handle long seasons and maintain performance over extended periods.
For Gators who opted to remain in-state, the Florida Collegiate Summer League offers a great combination of competitive baseball and logistical convenience. Chase Stokes, Gavin Nix, and Brady Tillman headline Florida’s contingent here.
Stokes, who is making the transition from bullpen work to a starting role, has taken major strides with the Sanford River Rats. In three starts, he’s gone at least five innings each time, flashing improved command and a more effective changeup. Nix, a speedy infielder with a high-contact approach, is thriving with the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, hitting over .330 and stealing bases at will.
For these players, staying close to Gainesville means more opportunities for coaching check-ins, conditioning sessions at UF facilities, and fewer disruptions to their off-field routines. It’s a calculated choice that benefits players needing refinement rather than high-end exposure.
While not as nationally scouted as the Cape or Northwoods, the Appalachian and Coastal Plains Leagues are high-quality circuits filled with DI talent. These leagues often serve as platforms for players looking to bounce back from a difficult season or prove their worth in everyday roles.
Lucas Mendez, an outfielder with raw tools but inconsistent production this spring, has found a groove in the Coastal Plain League. Playing for the Macon Bacon, he’s working to tighten his plate discipline and increase his on-base percentage. Ethan Sellers, a rising sophomore pitcher, is sharpening his breaking ball while posting a sub-2.00 ERA in the Appalachian League.
These leagues are ideal for development and repetition. Sellers, in particular, is being monitored closely as he’s expected to compete for a weekend rotation spot in 2026.
Florida’s incoming 2025 class is loaded with talent, and many of those signees are already getting live action this summer before stepping on campus. Logan Barrett, a two-way threat from Texas, is starring in the Texas Collegiate League, while Mason Keller, a power-hitting corner infielder from Georgia, is tearing up the Sunbelt League.
Barrett’s ability to contribute both on the mound and in the lineup has long intrigued Florida’s staff. He’s been used as a closer and middle-of-the-order hitter this summer, giving him a taste of how he’ll be used early at UF. Keller, meanwhile, is displaying plus power and a disciplined approach, validating the Gators’ decision to prioritize his recruitment despite interest from SEC rivals.
Several other signees, including Kade Jensen, Hunter Wall, and Jace Thompson, are participating in Perfect Game’s collegiate summer league programs. These experiences not only boost their competition level before arriving at UF but also give coaches more current data on how ready they’ll be for the SEC grind.
Summer baseball is more than just a placeholder between college seasons—it’s a proving ground. For Florida, the way these players perform in different environments, under different coaching styles, and against elite competition often determines how roles are shaped heading into fall camp.
Players who dominate summer leagues often come back with elevated confidence and tangible improvements. For instance, a pitcher who discovers a reliable secondary pitch over the summer can suddenly rise into weekend rotation conversations. A hitter who builds a more selective approach might earn a spot in the starting lineup over a more experienced, less disciplined bat.
It also provides the coaching staff with scouting flexibility. With assistant coaches often attending summer games, Florida gets direct insight into development rather than relying solely on intrasquad scrimmages or fall ball.
In a competitive SEC landscape where every detail matters, these summer assignments are quietly shaping the 2026 Florida Gators. Whether it’s Cape Cod veterans gaining pro exposure, Northwoods grinders building stamina, or incoming freshmen flashing their upside, the summer of 2025 is already full of promise for the Orange and Blue.
As the season winds down in late July and early August, eyes will begin shifting toward fall workouts and roster decisions. But for now, the action continues across diamonds nationwide, with Florida players making the most of their summer stage.
