Florida Gators News: Jac Caglianone does it again, Wyatt Langford has a monster day, More

It’s been a big weekend for Florida Gators baseball veteran alumni and recent draftees. 

Jac Caglianone and Wyatt Langford Go Yard on Sunday

Jac Caglianone had a big weekend with the Kansas City Royals as the right fielder picked up right where he left off in the first half. Caglianone hit a double on Saturday, along with a double and a mammoth home run on Sunday that got out at 113.5mph and went 432 feet. He had an RBI and two runs scored on Sunday and has now extended his hit streak to 10 games.

Over the course of the month of July, Caglianone is hitting .271/.267, with a .458 SLG. He has a total five doubles, two home runs, with seven RBIs, and seven runs scored this month.

Down in Atlanta, Wyatt Langford and the Texas Rangers were taking on the Atlanta Braves in the first series of the second half. Langford had a huge weekend, going 2-for-5 on Saturday and 3-for-5 on Sunday. He had an RBI and a run scored Saturday, while Sunday, he hit a double and a home run, driving in two RBIs and two runs scored.  His home run went 422 feet, getting out at 105.2 mph at a 26-degree launch angle. It came on an 87.3mph changeup and would’ve gone out in all 30 ballparks. It was a moonshot.

Langford now has at least one or more hit in nine of his last 10 games, dating bac to June 23. He spent some time on in the injured list with a hamstring strain, but has bounced back and had a strong month of July.

Over the course of the month, Langford is batting .310/.355, with a .552 SLG. He has one double and two home runs, with five RBIs and six runs scored through seven games.

Caglianone and Langford graduated a year apart and both former Gators are now having great 2026 seasons.

Florida's 2026 MLB Draftees Sign Contracts

Following the 2026 MLB draft, five Florida Gators officially signed contracts and have given their commitment to the teams who drafted them: Right-handed pitcher, Russell Sandefer; Outfielder, Hayden Yost; Outfielder, Kyle Jones; Utility Infielder/ outfielder, Blake Cyr; and right-handed pitcher, Luke McNeillie.

Russell Sandefer, RHP

Sandefer, a right-handed junior from Tampa, was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round (pick No. 132 overall) of the 2026 MLB draft. He announced on Friday that he officially signed with the Angels for $434,000. That is $141,300 under the $575,300 slot value.

Last season Sandefer was 3-2 with a 4.42 ERA with 60 strikeouts. He had a WHIP of 1.30 over the course of 57 innings.

With his signing, he will forego his senior season and begin his professional career in Los Angeles.

Hayden Yost, OF

Yost is another junior from Tampa. He played in 42 games (30 starts) in his junior and final season as a Gator. He played 23 games in right field, six in center field, and one in left field. He hit .262/.369/.589, with a .958 OPS, including 10 home runs.

Yost was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fifth round (pick No. 162 overall) of the 2026 MLB draft. The slot value for No. 162 was $429,100. His signing amount has not yet been announced.

Kyle Jones, OF

The third Gator to announce that he’s going pro is outfielder Kyle Jones from Athens, Ga. He was a redshirt sophomore and a two-year Gator.

Selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round at pick No. 102 overall, Jones officially signed his deal with the Brewers on Saturday for $675,000, which was $95,600 under the $770,600 slot value for pick No. 102.

Last season Jones hit .317/.418/.478, with 16 doubles, a triple, and six home runs, with 46 RBIs and 58 runs scored. He walked 33 times and was hit by 10 pitches. He had 17 stolen bases, proving he can move on the base pads once he’s on.

Jones was ranked as the No. 25 outfielder and the No. 127 overall player in this year’s draft class according to MLB.com.

Blake Cyr, OF

Cyr, a senior from Windemere. And a two-season Gator was selected by the New York Yankees in the 18th round (Pick No. 548 overall) in the 2026 MLB draft. He announced on Sunday that he officially inked a deal with the Yankees and won’t be far from home to begin his career as the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate plays in Tampa.

The senior and graduate from the class of 2026 signed with the Yankees for $150,000. 

In 2026, he started 56 games: 49 in left field and seven in right field. He hit .316/.398/.591 with 15 doubles, a triple, and 14 home runs. He drove in 58 RBIs with 53 runs scored. He had six stolen bases as well.

Luke McNeillie, RHP

McNeillie was an ace for the Gators in 2026. The right-hander was a three-year Gator, playing the entirety of his career for the Gators. Last season he was 3-0 with a 3.97 ERA, giving up just 15 earned runs on 40 hits across 34 IP. He gave up just 17 walks and struck out 48.

McNeillie, a junior from Milton, Georgia was signed out of Florida to the New York Mets in the fifth round of the 2026 MLB draft at pick No. 152 overall. The Mets showed their commitment to McNeillie quickly by signing him to a $497,500, which is $25,000 over the No. 152 slot value of $472,500.

Karson Bowen, C

While not drafted among those who’s name were called during the draft, Gators catcher, Karson Bowen inked himself a deal as an undrafted free agent with the Texas Rangers on Friday.

Bowen, a senior from Anaheim Hills, California and a graduate of Orange Lutheran High School. He started his collegiate career at TCU in Texas prior to transferring to Florida. He will now return to Texas to begin his professional baseball career.

He played just one season (2026) with the Gators after his transfer from TCU. The senior hit .261/.353/.431 with 11 doubles, two triples, and seven home runs. He drove in 33 RBIs and 41 runs scored last year with Florida.

Bowen is a defensive weapon at the plate. He had a .994 fielding percentage and in the use of ABS he led the SEC with 9-for-10 overturned calls.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow