Jac Caglianone Named John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators superstar Jac Caglianone will be taking home some new hardware. Caglianone was named the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year on Friday.
As the lone repeat finalist from one year ago, Caglianaone came out on top after coming up just short one year ago. The Tampa, Fla. native edged out Louisiana Tech’s Ethan Bates, Oklahoma State’s Carson Benge, Georgia Tech’s Cameron Jones and San Diego’s Austin Smith.
[RELATED: The Golden Spikes committee got it wrong, Jac Caglianone was snubbed]
Starting all 66 games for the Gators this season, Caglianone led the Gators in every slash category (.419/.544/.875) in addition to a program-record 35 home runs and 104 hits to go along with 83 runs, 72 RBI, 217 total bases and a 1.419 OPS. He struck out 32 fewer times (26) than he has walked (58) including 31 intentional free passes. This year alone, Caglianone tied both the NCAA record for most consecutive games with a home run (nine) and the program mark for longest hitting streak (30).
On the mound, the Tampa, Fla. native paced the Orange & Blue with 16 starts and 73 2/3 innings pitched. His 4.76 ERA ranked second and his .225 batting average against was tops among qualified UF hurlers, powering Caglianone to a 5-2 record.
Caglianone’s performance helped power the Orange & Blue to the College World Series Semifinals for the second-straight season. He also concluded his UF career as the all-time program record holder in home runs (75).
“It’s a great feeling,” Caglianone said after passing Matt LaPorta’s record at the 2024 College World Series. “Mr. LaPorta has reached out countless times throughout the year. He’s here with his kids and family, watching that.”
Top 10
- 1Hot
Johntay Cook
WR takes shot at Quinn Ewers
- 2
Dose of reality
Finebaum unloads on ASU QB
- 3
Defending Cam Ward
Joel Klatt rips critics of Miami QB
- 4
Pressure on James Franklin
'This would be an unforgivable loss'
- 5
'A bad look'
Spurrier on Cam Ward sitting 2nd half
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
“It was a special moment for sure. But at the end of the day I was too caught up in trying to win keep staying here, surviving, and advancing.”
The award is named for former Washington State University standout John Olerud, who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s. He was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this year.
Jac Caglianone joins an impressive list of past winners
| Year | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Jac Caglianone | Florida |
| 2023 | Caden Grice | Clemson |
| 2022 | Paul Skenes | Air Force |
| 2021 | Spencer Schwellenbach | Nebraska |
| 2019 | Aaron Schunk | Georgia |
| 2018 | Brooks Wilson | Stetson |
| 2017 | Brendan McKay | Louisville |
| 2016 | Brendan McKay | Louisville |
| 2015 | Brendan McKay | Louisville |
| 2014 | AJ Reed | Kentucky |
| 2013 | Marco Gonzales | Gonzaga |
| 2012 | Brian Johnson | Florida |
| 2011 | Danny Hultzen | Virginia |
| 2010 | Will Gannon | Florida State |
