With the 2024 Major League Baseball season nearing the All-Star break, several former Gators are making a positive impact at the professional level. Under Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan, 34 Gators have made their MLB debut while 84 have made the show in Florida’s program history.
Gator Country highlights some of the major contributors this season.
INF Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds
Jonathan India is in the middle of the best stretch of his career and has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball in the month of June. India holds an active 12 game hitting streak while posting nine multi-hit games during that span. India’s eight-straight multi-hit games, which ended on Thursday, was the longest streak by a Red in 24 years.
After struggling in April and May, the Coral Springs, Florida native slashed .380/.454/.587 while posting an OPS of 1.041 in the month of June.
On the season, India is hitting a career-high .278 with five home runs, 34 RBI, 18 doubles, and eight stolen bases. India has a chance to become an all-star for the first time in his career.
OF Wyatt Langford, Texas Rangers
Breakout rookie Wyatt Langford is coming off a historic night at the plate after hitting for the cycle in yesterday’s game against the Orioles, becoming the first major leaguer to hit for the cycle this season.
On the 2024 season, Langford has hit an inside the park home run, launched a grand slam, and hit for the cycle. Accomplishing all three in the same season has only been done 17 times in MLB history, and Langford is the first Ranger to ever do it.
Much like India, Langford struggled in the months of April and May but has come alive as of late, slashing .309/.368/.526 while launching three of his four home runs in the month of June. Langford has recorded a hit in ten of his last 12 games while posting multi-hit games in four of the ten.
The Trenton, Florida native is hitting .260 with four home runs, 35 RBI, 25 runs, and seven stolen bases in his rookie campaign. His .260 batting average is 28 points higher than the 2024 rookie average and 18 points higher than the MLB average.
It looks as if Langford has adapted to MLB pitching, so I wouldn’t count him out as a potential rookie of the year candidate.
OF Jacob Young, Washington Nationals
Nationals’ rookie Jacob Young has been a surprising everyday contributor, playing in 71 games thus far while primarily starting in center field. While Young doesn’t bring much power to the plate, he’s hitting .272 with 19 stolen bases, effectively putting pressure on opposing teams.
In April, Young made history by becoming the first MLB player with 9+ runs & 6+ stolen bases in a single series since Bob Bescher did so for the Cincinnati Reds against the Boston Rustlers in 1911. Young accomplished this feat against the Miami Marlins, where he collected eight hits, nine runs, and six stolen bases across four games. Young also hit his first-career home run in the series.
The Ponte Vedra, Florida native got his feet wet last year, hitting .252 in 107 at bats with the Nationals and looks to be building off that in his rookie campaign.
INF Pete Alonso, New York Mets
Three-time All-Star Pete Alonso is having somewhat of a down year but is still hitting .245 with 17 home runs in 81 games for the Mets. To continue the trend of Gators playing well in June, Alonso is riding a four-game hitting streak and slashed .273/.387/.511 last month.
OF Harrison Bader, New York Mets
Eight-year veteran Harrison Bader is having one of the better seasons of his career, slashing .269/.313/.410 while swiping 11 bags in 72 games with the Mets.
RHP Brady Singer, Kansas City Royals
5th year starting pitcher Brady Singer is in the middle of a bounce back year, holding a 4-4 record and a 3.12 ERA in 16 starts for the Royals. His 3.12 ERA is the lowest of his career, shall it hold. Singer holds an impressive WHIP of 1.18, which ranks 38th in the MLB. Singer has just 26 walks in 89.1 innings pitched this season.
RHP Alex Faedo, Detroit Tigers
Formerly a starter, RHP Alex Faedo made the switch to a relief role in the 2024 season and it’s worked wonders in terms of production. Faedo holds a 3-1 record and a 3.47 ERA in 36.1 innings for the Tigers this season. Faedo also holds a WHIP of 1.18.
RHP Christian Scott, New York Mets
After getting called up to the show on May 4th and becoming the 84th Florida Gator to make his MLB debut, Christian Scott has made the most of his opportunities. Despite an 0-2 record, Scott has pitched to a 3.90 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in five starts.
Scott’s MLB debut was about as good as you can hope for, allowing one run, five hits, and one walk in 6.2 innings pitched against the Rays.
RHP Dane Dunning, Texas Rangers
After breaking out in 2023, Dane Dunning is posting another respectable season, holding a 4.60 ERA and a WHIP of 1.29 while pitching to a 4-6 record. Dunning has 69 strikeouts in 62.2 innings pitched this season.