Former Florida Gators Shine Across MLB: Brady Singer Dominates, Pete Alonso Stays Hot, and Jac Caglianone Begins Pro Journey Strong
As the Major League Baseball season enters the heat of summer, several former Florida Gators are making waves across the big leagues. From dominant pitching outings to clutch hitting performances, it’s clear that the University of Florida’s impact on professional baseball continues to grow. This past week, a trio of former Gators stood out: Kansas City Royals right-hander Brady Singer dazzled with a lights-out performance on the mound, New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso kept his bat consistent and productive, and recent draftee Jac Caglianone made an early statement in his pro debut.
While Singer and Alonso have already carved out established MLB careers, Caglianone’s emergence is just beginning—yet already generating buzz that feels fitting for a player once dubbed “college baseball’s Shohei Ohtani.” This week offered fans and scouts alike a glimpse into the past, present, and future of Florida baseball at the highest level.
Brady Singer, the former Florida ace and 2018 first-round draft pick, put together one of his most efficient and commanding starts of the season this week for the Royals. Facing a potent Minnesota Twins lineup, Singer struck out 10 batters over seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and no walks in what was arguably his best performance of 2025.
It’s the kind of outing Kansas City has been hoping for consistently from the right-hander, who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career but has battled inconsistency at times. This summer, however, Singer appears to be turning a corner.
With improved fastball command and a sharper, more confident slider, Singer has looked like the frontline starter he was projected to be when he dominated the SEC. He mixed speeds effectively and stayed ahead in counts, frustrating Minnesota’s hitters throughout the outing.
This week’s performance lowered his ERA to 3.42 on the season and marked his third quality start in a row. Even more importantly, it was the first time this season he reached double-digit strikeouts, reinforcing his potential as a high-strikeout, low-walk pitcher when he’s locked in.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro praised Singer postgame, saying, “That’s the Brady we know he can be. He controlled the game, attacked the zone, and gave us exactly what we needed.”
If Singer can maintain this level of execution, he could position himself not only as the anchor of the Royals’ rotation but also as a potential All-Star candidate or trade deadline centerpiece for teams seeking young, controllable pitching.
Though the New York Mets have had a rollercoaster season filled with ups and downs, one constant in their lineup has been slugger Pete Alonso. The former Gators standout first baseman had another solid week at the plate, going 9-for-24 with two home runs, seven RBIs, and three walks.
Alonso’s consistency isn’t just limited to weekly stats. For the season, he’s maintained a .272 average with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs—ranking among the top five in both categories among National League first basemen.
What’s been particularly impressive this season is Alonso’s renewed focus on plate discipline. Once known for chasing breaking balls off the plate, he’s made clear strides in shrinking the strike zone and punishing mistakes. That discipline was on full display this week, as he laid off tough pitches and delivered key hits in late-inning situations.
In a Mets offense that has often relied too heavily on him, Alonso has remained reliable and clutch. On Tuesday, with the game tied in the eighth inning against the Braves, Alonso crushed a 2-0 fastball deep into the left-field seats, giving the Mets a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. It was his sixth go-ahead home run of the year.
Teammates and coaches continue to praise Alonso not only for his production but also his clubhouse presence. “He’s the engine for us,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He keeps the energy up, he leads by example, and when he’s locked in, we all feed off it.”
With the trade deadline looming and the Mets still hovering around .500, Alonso’s future remains a hot topic. He’s in the final year of his contract, and while New York wants to keep him, several contending teams are monitoring the situation. Regardless of where he finishes the season, Alonso’s production is making sure his name stays relevant in every conversation.
While Singer and Alonso continue their MLB success, another Florida Gator is just beginning his journey—and doing so in eye-catching fashion. Jac Caglianone, the two-way sensation and one of the most hyped college baseball players of the past decade, was selected early in the 2025 MLB Draft and has now officially started his minor league career.
This week, Caglianone made his debut in Low-A ball, playing exclusively as a designated hitter. Despite the adjustment to wood bats and pro-level pitching, he wasted no time showing why he was such a coveted prospect. In his first five games, he’s hit .375 with two home runs, a double, and six RBIs.
His swing has translated beautifully from the college level, where he mashed 35 home runs this past season for the Gators. In pro ball, his power remains evident, but what’s impressing scouts is his ability to adjust mid-count and hit to all fields.
One scout at the game called him “a left-handed Paul Goldschmidt with better bat speed.” While such comparisons are lofty, they reflect the buzz around Caglianone’s ceiling.
Though he isn’t pitching this summer—Florida’s staff and his new organization are being cautious with his arm—he’s expected to begin a throwing program by the end of the month, with plans to resume two-way play by 2026. That could set him on a Shohei Ohtani-lite path, though some insiders believe his bat is good enough to fast-track him through the system as a full-time hitter.
For now, fans and evaluators are simply enjoying the show. His early success is turning heads and reaffirming the belief that Caglianone is more than just a college phenomenon—he’s a future MLB star in the making.
While Singer, Alonso, and Caglianone grabbed headlines this week, they’re not the only former Gators impacting pro baseball.
Jonathan India of the Cincinnati Reds is having a quietly strong season, batting .285 with a .372 on-base percentage and steady defense at second base. India’s contact-oriented approach has helped stabilize a Reds offense dealing with injuries and inconsistency.
Michael Byrne, a relief pitcher in the Houston Astros system, was recently promoted to Triple-A and is gaining traction as a late-inning option thanks to a revamped cutter and improved command.
Meanwhile, Kirby Snead continues to be a steady presence in the Oakland A’s bullpen, and Tommy Mace—a former second-round pick—is on the verge of his MLB debut after a dominant stretch at Double-A in the Cleveland Guardians organization.
These names underscore just how deep Florida’s talent pipeline runs. Whether they’re All-Stars, prospects, or role players, Gators are contributing at every level of pro baseball, bringing honor to a program that continues to produce elite athletes.
As the 2025 season rolls on, the contributions of former Florida players across Major League Baseball serve as a testament to the development system built in Gainesville. Under Kevin O’Sullivan, the Gators have consistently recruited and developed players who not only thrive at the college level but also have the tools to succeed at the highest level.
Brady Singer’s recent dominance shows what a refined SEC arm can become. Pete Alonso’s steady power proves the long-term value of patience and work ethic. And Jac Caglianone’s electric debut hints at the future of the sport—where versatility and power are prized more than ever.
Together, they represent the past, present, and future of Florida baseball—and this past week, they reminded everyone why Gators always deserve a spotlight in the show.
