It is the end of an era in Florida baseball as two-way star first baseman/pitcher Jac Caglianone is expected to hang up his collegiate cleats and prepare for the next chapter in his baseball career. Following the Gators’ 6-0 elimination loss to Texas A&M on Wednesday, one of Caglianone’s teammates, Tyler Shelnut, revealed just how much the likely Top-10 draft pick has grown during his time in Gainesville.
“The difference I’ve seen in him from the day I met him to now has been tremendous,” Shelnut said. “He’s grown as an individual and as a player beyond comprehension. He’s a terrific kid and he’s a great teammate. I think he truly does play for this team and he truly does want to win. I can’t say enough about Jac, obviously, and what he’s been able to accomplish.”
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In what will be his last season at Florida, Caglianone put together an impressive farewell season. The Gators star slugger put up staggering numbers with an OPS of 1.419, a .419 batting average, and a slugging percentage of 0.875. In 248 at-bats spanning 66 games, Caglianone recorded 104 hits, scored 83 runs, had 72 RBIs, and hit 35 home runs. He was also feared by opposing pitchers, leading to the Gators star being walked quite often in his 316 plate appearances, which happened 58 times this season.
Although Caglianone’s time at Florida has come to an end, the Gators’ star will forever be remembered. Shelnut and the rest of the Gators roster will always have the memories of who he was both on and off the field. And as an added bonus, they can’t say they had a front-row seat to Caglianone’s historic and record-breaking career at Florida.
Caglianone explains how he wants to be remembered at Florida
Caglianone also spoke about his time at Florida and how many would remember his three years there following the 6-0 shutout to the Aggies. For him, 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.
The post Tyler Shelnut explains what he has seen in Jac Caglianone as a teammate appeared first on On3.