Florida star Jac Caglianone is widely expected to be a top pick in the Major League Baseball draft later this summer. And his head coach, Kevin O’Sullivan, had high praise for the all-around ability of his star, praise that he’s certainly shared with scouts.
Caglianone is known for his bat, becoming the Gators all-time home runs leader at the 2024 College World Series as he continued to tear into opposing pitching. But O’Sullivan noted there’s a lot more to Caglianone’s game than just hitting and hitting for power.
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“There hasn’t been a whole lot of discussion with scouts,” O’Sullivan said. “Obviously, he’s a consensus Top 3 pick probably in the draft. But the things I do mention — it’s obvious that he’s got special hitting ability — but what he’s been able to do at the other parts of his game. Defensively, he’s just a difference maker on that side of the ball. Just — like he runs the bases really good.”
O’Sullivan noted a few moments from Florida’s final games in Omaha to highlight just how impactful Caglianone is across the game.
“We were down I think five at one point, at that point of the game and he made the right decision not to tag, because his run did not matter when the ball’s hit down the left field line,” O’Sullivan said. “He makes really good decisions. And he runs good. I mean, if you think about it, we put the drag on with two outs with Tyler, who was scuffling a little bit in the first game and, you know, he got to third on the ball in the dirt and then he scored on that drag.”
For as much as Caglianone can captivate with a bat in his hands, O’Sullivan wants people to see there’s a lot more to his game.
“So those are the things that I try to point out, because the other ones, the other stuff with the hitting ability and the power, that’s obvious to see, everybody knows that, but he’s really turned himself into a complete player,” O’Sullivan said.
Caglianone shares how he wants to be remembered
Caglianone said he hopes that fans recall how all-in he was for his team and for their program.
“Really just as somebody who gave it their all,” said Caglianone. “Day-in and day-out, I just wanted to fight for these guys next to me.”
Caglianone thinks nothing in his time at Florida could have been possible without everyone else in the dugout with him. That’s why he also took a moment after to thank all of them, whether his coaching staff or teammates, for helping him to accomplish what he did.
“Yeah, to be honest with you, I can’t thank the coaches here enough for all they have done to help me get to where I am today. The people that I’ve met along the way and played with? It’s something that I won’t ever take for granted,” Caglianone said. “I appreciate Sully for taking a chance on me in high school and getting to this point.”
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