Florida’s Jac Caglianone becomes first college baseball player to sign with Topps, Fanatics

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Florida two-way player Jac Caglianone has signed a historic NIL deal ahead of the College World Series.

The NCBWA Division I first-team All-America selection has signed deals with Topps and Fanatics, becoming the first college baseball player to ink such an agreement. Common in college football and basketball, it’s a major moment for Caglianone, who is expected to be a top-10 pick in the 2024 MLB draft.

The first baseman and pitcher has business to attend to first in Omaha. A finalist for the 2024 Dick Howser Trophy, given to the top player in college baseball, Caglianone has batted .411 on the year with 33 home runs, 79 runs scored and 68 RBI. He ranks second nationally in home runs, fourth in slugging and sixth in batting average.

The 6-foot-5, left-handed pitcher also touts a 5-2 record on the bump with a 4.71 ERA and 10.2 strikeouts per nine. He’s started 15 games this season and thrown 72.2 innings. Florida is 6-1 in the NCAA Tournament and on a five-game winning streak entering Friday night’s Game 1 matchup with Texas A&M. Liam Peterson will get the start against the Aggies.

The Gators lost to LSU in the NCAA championship series a year ago. They did just enough to squeeze into this year’s 64-team field.

Caglianone’s memorabila is already on sale on Fanatics. A Jac Caglianone autographed baseball is currently priced at $89.99. Expected to be a top pick in the MLB and already touting more than 46,000 social media followers, the partnership is a no brainer for Topps and Fanatics.

“This is what you work for all year,” Caglianone said on Thursday. “Coming up one game short last year put a chip on our back, so we wanted to return. Having another shot at it is something we don’t take for granted. We’re thankful to be here and excited to play here.”

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