Tag: baseball

Cal Stark signs as MLB undrafted free agent

Former Vol Cal Stark signs with the Texas Rangers.

Former Tennessee catcher Cal Stark signed as an undrafted free agent with the Rangers in Major League Baseball on Monday.

“A championship player getting a chance to play for a championship organization,” Tennessee announced.

Stark played for the Vols from 2023-24 after transferring from Weatherford College (2022) and Navarro College (2023).

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound catcher appeared 106 games, including 89 starts for the Vols. He recorded 16 home runs, 47 RBIs, 54 runs, 38 walks, two stolen bases and a .992 fielding percentage.

Stark hit 11 home runs and 30 RBIs last season.

Stark and Tennessee won the national championship, Southeastern Conference Tournament and the SEC regular-season title in 2024.

The former Vol is from Farragut High School in Farragut, Tennessee.

PHOTOS: Tennessee baseball celebrates winning 2024 national championship

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Todd Helton inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame

Former Vol Todd Helton inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Former Colorado first baseman Todd Helton was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday in Cooperstown, New York.

Helton is the first former Vols’ player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The 2024 class included Jim Leyland, Joe Mauer and Adrian Beltre.

Helton played baseball and football at the University of Tennessee before a career with the Rockies (1997-2013). He was the No. 8 overall selection by Colorado in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.

Helton’s career batting average was .316, while totaling 2,519 hits, 369 home runs, 1,406 RBIs and 1,401 runs.

He was a five-time all-star (2000-04), a three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2000–2003). His jersey No. 17 is retired by the Rockies.

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Florida adds JUCO right-hander after losing transfer to draft

Kevin O’Sullivan always has eyes on nearby Sante Fe College, and he recently landed right-hander Matt Jenkins as a JUCO transfer.

Florida was hoping to get Samford right-hander [autotag]Michael Ross[/autotag] on campus, but the Gators had to pivot when he signed an 18th-round deal with the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

Kevin O’Sullivan had a plan, though, and earned a commitment from Sante Fe College (JUCO) right-hander [autotag]Matthew Jenkins[/autotag] on the same day. The former Lafayette High (Mayo, Florida) ace announced the news on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He made 16 appearances for Sante Fe last season, starting two games. He held a 4.74 earned run average and allowed 1.93 walks/hits per inning while striking out 60 batters over 57 innings.

Walks are the only major red flag here. Jenkins nearly walked as many batters as he struck out last season. A 27.8% strikeout rate says that Jenkins has good “stuff,” but a 26.4% walk rate generates an equal amount of concern.

Of course, Jenkins is not a one-to-one replacement for Ross. He’s likely to work out of the bullpen instead of competing for a spot in the weekend rotation, but it fills the backend of the pitching staff while allowing another arm to step up.

Right now, the two top candidates to take that third starting spot are Clemson transfer Billy Barlow and rising redshirt sophomore Jake Clemente. The latter is tearing it up in the Cape Code League as you read this article, so don’t be surprised to see him at least get the shot in the fall. Barlow always seemed like a midweek guy anyway.

Jenkins is 6-foot-6-inches tall and can run his fastball up to 95-96 mph. Scouts would use the word projectable, and Jenkins had some draft chances this year as the 22nd-best JUCO prospect in the country, per Prep Baseball Report.

Developing a plus secondary is the next step. Florida’s pitching staff has helped plenty of quality arms add an offspeed to their arsenal while continuing to develop the primary breaking pitch. If everything goes right for him at Florida in 2024, Jenkins could be a starter in 2025.

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Florida loses incoming transfer RHP Michael Ross to 2024 MLB draft

Samford right-hander Michael Ross won’t be transferring to Florida after signing a deal out of the MLB draft.

Samford right-hander [autotag]Michael Ross[/autotag] won’t make it to Gainesville after all.

The incoming transfer turned down a year with the Florida Gators to sign an 18th-round deal with the Minnesota Twins. The financial details of the deal remain unknown for now.

Ross had a chance to join Florida’s weekend rotation, which should be anchored by returners [autotag]Pierce Coppola[/autotag] and [autotag]Liam Peterson[/autotag]. Ross was expected to be the third member of the weekend rotation, but now Florida will have to figure something else out.

Florida tried to convince Ross to stay in school for another year, pitching that a good year in the SEC could earn him more money. But Ross would lose all negotiating leverage if he returned for his senior year, potentially negating any gains made by the year at UF.

The Gators had a pretty good draft otherwise, but losing Ross hurts. Florida has now lost impact transfer arms in back-to-back offseasons. UCLA right-hander Kelly Austin signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Houston Astros after committing to Florida last season.

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Gators breakout OF announces return to Florida for 2025 season

Ty Evans will look to build his draft stock with the Gators with another season in Gainesville.

The Florida baseball program got some good news on Tuesday afternoon when breakout outfielder [autotag]Ty Evans[/autotag] announced on the platform formerly known as Twitter that he is returning to school for his senior season.

Evans started the 2024 campaign strong thanks to a copious amount of offseason preparation, batting .356 in non-conference play to kick things off. His breakout performance continued through the Southeastern Conference schedule and into the postseason with the Orange and Blue.

The outfielder finished the season with a .316 batting average while slugging 13 home runs along with 10 doubles. Evans also drove in 43 RBI and scored 44 runs thanks in part to a .580 slugging percentage and .406 on-base percentage — all of the above which are career highs.

Evans’ previous production

The right-handed outfielder appeared in 35 games while making 26 starts in right field as a true freshman in 2022 — 21 one of those starts coming in the final 21 games. Evans slashed .242/.301/.465 with five home runs, one triple, five doubles, 16 RBI, 13 runs and three steals across 99 at-bats that year.

The following season, the Auburndale, Florida, product appeared in 49 games, including 44 starts in right field as a sophomore. Evans slashed .239/.302/.485 over 163 at-bats while setting then-career highs with nine home runs, two triples, nine doubles, 43 RBI and 30 runs.

He set a College World Series record with five home runs in 2023 while being named to the MCWS All-Tournament Team.

Other Gators returning to Gainesville

Evans joins [autotag]Colby Shelton[/autotag] — who was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the final round of the MLB draft — along with catcher [autotag]Luke Heyman[/autotag] and left-handed pitcher [autotag]Pierce Coppola[/autotag] as the draft-eligible players this year expected to the program.

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Florida starting SS picked in final round of 2024 MLB draft

Colby Shelton heard his named called in the final round of the 2024 MLB draft, but the Florida Gators shortstop is expected to return.

Florida shortstop [autotag]Colby Shelton[/autotag] was the biggest question mark for the Gators coming into the draft, and now he has a decision to make after being selected by the Washington Nationals in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB draft.

That decision should be fairly easy considering Shelton entered the draft as a potential Day 1 selection. For those unfamiliar with the MLB draft, players don’t have to sign with a team if they don’t like the slot value they’re picked at. Draft-eligible sophomores, such as Shelton, hold the most leverage among college athletes because they have two more years of eligibility remaining.

All that is to say that Shelton will likely be headed back to Florida, which means the Gators don’t have to find an immediate replacement at shortstop.

To sign Shelton, the Nationals would have to submit a massive over-slot offer, and history tells us that this is more like a 20th-round flier after everyone else on their draft board is gone. Still, it leaves a small percentage of a chance that Shelton does leave.

As of publishing time, Shelton had not confirmed his decision to return like several other players.

Colby Shelton at the University of Florida

Shelton transferred to Florida from Alabama after one year of college ball. He had a reputation for tearing the cover off the ball — 25 home runs as a freshman — but the swing-and-miss was still a problem. Shelton also wanted to prove he could play shortstop, and Florida needed someone to fill the void left by Josh Rivera.

The power numbers decreased for Shelton while the strikeouts increased at Florida. Still an above-average hitter (115 wRC+), Shelton didn’t become the sure-fire Day 1 pick many scouts believe he can be. He slashed .254/.374/.551 compared to .300/.419/.729 as a freshman.

Shelton should return to Florida as one of the most dangerous hitters in the lineup. He and Luke Heyman are both viewed as non-draftees that are set to make a big jump in 2025 with the program.

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Florida RHP Ryan Slater selected in 18th round of 2024 MLB draft

It took a while for a Gator to be called on Day 3 of the 2024 MLB draft, but the San Francisco Giants picked Ryan Slater in the 18th round.

The San Francisco Giants selected Florida right-handed redshirt junior [autotag]Ryan Slater[/autotag] in the 18th round of the 2024 MLB draft on Tuesday.

He is the 224th individual selection in program history and the 109th selection of the [autotag]Kevin O’Sullivan[/autotag] era.

Slater leaves Florida with a 22-7 record and eight saves. He managed a 5.35 ERA and .260 batting average against over 166 2/3 innings and struck out 140 batters to 61 walks.

Slater was one of a few veteran arms in Florida’s bullpen this season, and he started off as perhaps the most trusted relief arm in Gainesville. Opposing bats started to figure him out as the season went on, though, and his ERA ballooned to a career-high 6.70, while batters averaged .302 off of him.

Fortunately, Slater made a name for himself in 2023, both with the Gators and over the summer in the Cape Cod League. The Giants had a trend of drafting arms that excelled in the Cape.

Slater is the last rostered Gator to be drafted and is likely to leave the program. Florida also saw Jac Caglianone, Brandon Neely and Fisher Jameson drafted over the first two days. Colby Shelton was picked in the 20th round, but it’s a Hail Mary shot from the Washington Nationals.

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Florida’s Fisher Jameson gets Day 2 call in 2024 MLB draft

Fisher Jameson is the third Gator to hear his named called during the 2024 MLB draft so far.

The Colorado Rockies selected Florida baseball’s right-handed pitcher [autotag]Fisher Jameson[/autotag] in the 10th round of the 2024 MLB draft with the 288th overall pick on Monday.

He follows first baseman/left-handed pitcher [autotag]Jac Caglianone[/autotag] (Round 1, Pick 6 – Kansas City Royals) and right-hander [autotag]Brandon Neely[/autotag] (Round 3, Pick 86 – Boston Red Sox) as the third Gator selected so far.

The Lake Worth, Florida, native became the 223rd individual draft selection in UF baseball history and the 108th in head coach [autotag]Kevin O’Sullivan[/autotag]’s 17-year tenure. Jameson is the 57th pitcher to be drafted under O’Sullivan, equating to 3.4 per season.

Jameson led all UF hurlers with a 3.99 ERA and 1.15 WHIP this past season — representing the team’s biggest breakout performance among the pitching corps — while also posting a perfect 5-0 record across a team-high 34 appearances. His .237 batting average against ranked second on the team and his 67 2/3 innings were good for third; he also struck out 79 batters against just 18 walks.

Across the team’s final 31 games, Jameson led Florida with 17 appearances, a 3.35 ERA and .226 BAA over 40 1/3 frames. In that span, he delivered a 3-0 record, three saves and 47 strikeouts while issuing only nine free passes. Jameson played a vital role in each of the Gators’ College World Series trips from 2023-24.

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LOOK: Patrick Mahomes reacts to Bobby Witt Jr.’s spectacular Home Run Derby performance

Check out #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ reaction to #Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr.’s outstanding Home Run Derby performance.

Patrick Mahomes is an avid baseball fan, and when Bobby Witt Jr. took the field for the MLB’s annual Home Run Derby on Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was glued to his television.

Witt fought hard against more experienced competition to finish as the event’s runner-up, falling just behind Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández in the derby’s final round.

Though Mahomes didn’t attend the spectacular showing of slugging prowess in Texas, he and his wife Brittany documented his experience of watching Witt from his living room on social media during each round of the event.

Check out their top posts below:

When Witt was eliminated, Mahomes took to his official account to post a final show of support for Kansas City’s budding star.

Though Witt didn’t leave with a trophy on Monday night, he will join fellow Royals Salvador Pérez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game on June 16.

Pete Alonso fizzles out at 2024 Home Run Derby

Pete Alonso came into the 2024 Home Run Derby with hopes of winning a third title, but he’ll have to wait another year after failing to make it out of the first round.

Even [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag] would describe his 2024 Home Run Derby as disappointing.

The former Florida slugger and current New York Met is a staple at the event, but consecutive first-round exits could mean the end of the Polar Bear at the All-Star Weekend event. Alonso hit just 12 homers at Glove Life Park in Arlington, Texas, the second-lowest total by any of the first-round competitors.

Alonso got off to a slow start, hitting just five dingers before using his first timeout with 1:37 left on a 3-minute timer. The brief break didn’t do him much good, though. Alonso only belted four more before time expired. He added three more in bonus time, but it was still far from the 19 he needed to advance to the semifinals.

According to MLB.com, Alonso’s 12 homers averaged 417 feet and a 105.5-mph exit velocity. The hardest ball he hit came off the bat at 109 mph and the farthest ball he hit went 446 feet.

Former Mets bench coach Dave Jauss threw to Alonso. The two struggled to find a rhythm, failing to connect for a home run on 15-straight pitches at on point. Alonso won the event in 2019 and 2021, but he hasn’t been able to tie Ken Griffey Jr. as a three-time champion.

Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm (21), Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez (21), Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. (20) and the Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernandez (19) advanced to the second round. Texas’ Adolis Garcia (18), Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna (16) and Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson (11) were knocked out in the first round along with Alonso.

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