Stetson outfielder Kyle Jones committed to the Florida Gators on Thursday afternoon via the transfer portal. The 6’3, 170-pound center fielder was named ASUN Freshman of the Year and a second-team freshman All-American (NCBWA) for his efforts with the Hatters.
Jones batted .355 with 88 hits, 38 RBI, 53 runs, 15 doubles, and five home runs in his first collegiate season.
The Athens, Georgia native was one of the hardest hitters to strike out in college baseball last season, striking out just 27 times in 248 at bats, a strikeout percentage of just 10.8. For more context, Gators’ superstar Jac Caglianone had just one less strikeout on the same number of at bats (248) in 2024. Jones’ strikeout percentage of 10.8 is significantly less than Florida’s team average of 28.4%. Jones also had more walks (33) than strikeouts (27).
Jones has elite speed and base running skills, swiping 23 bags on 28 attempts, leading the Hatters while ranking T-57th in stolen bases in college baseball last season.
That speed carries over to the outfield as well, where Jones was named a 2024 NCAA D1 Gold Glove Finalist for his play in center field. Jones boasted a fielding percentage of .994 on 167 chances with Stetson, committing just one error.
In the NCAA Tournament, Jones batted .416 with three runs, two RBI, one stolen base, and two home runs, earning a spot on the Tallahassee All-Regional team.
Despite only having five home runs a year ago, Jones only weighs 170 pounds and does have the raw power to hit the long ball. The North Oconee HS product homered in his final two games at Stetson, against UCF and Alabama in the NCAA Tournament.
Against Power 5 programs, all of which made the NCAA Tournament, Jones went 15-46 at the plate, a batting average of .326. Against SEC pitching, Jones batted .312 with one home run in 16 at bats.
Kyle Jones projects as a center fielder with the Gators and has three years of eligibility remaining and is draft eligible in two years.
Jones is the 4th transfer addition this cycle. He’ll join Miami’s Blake Cyr, Jacksonville’s Justin Nadeau, and Texas Tech’s Landon Stripling.