Gators land priority OF Jaden Bastian from transfer portal
Jacksonville center fielder Jaden Bastian has committed to the University of Florida baseball program, according to Baseball America's Jacob Rudner.
Bastian is a five-tool talent that could start right away at Florida. He batted .302/.433/.552 and crushed fastballs as one of the ASUN's most dangerous hitters in 2025. Bastian hit 11 home runs and stole 36 bases, checking off the baserunning, power and speed boxes. He's held down center field at an elite level, too. He'll have to compete with Blake Cyr, Kyle Jones and Hayden Yost for a starting spot, but Bastian should contribute plenty.
With Bastian and Jones now expected to make up two-thirds of the outfield, Florida has a chance to have one of the best groups in the country. It also gives the team some depth after injuries took out a chunk of the roster early on, including Jones.
Florida Baseball 2025 Transfer Portal Movement
Seven players have left Florida for the transfer portal this offseason. Left-handed sophomore Jacob Gomberg was the first to depart, followed by right-handers Alex Philpott (So.) and Carson Montsdeoca (Fr.). JUCO catcher Cole Bullen (Jr.) and right-handed freshmen Niko Janssens and Felix Ong made up the next wave of transfers. The most recent loss is freshman catcher Brock Clayton.
Florida's early exit from the NCAA Tournament allowed Kevin O'Sullivan to make recruiting calls ahead of schedule, and the Gators have brought in four names. Notre Dame senior Ricky Reeth and UCF sophomore Russell Sandefer are the new right-handed arms, and JUCO catcher AJ Malzone rounds out the group headlined by Bastian.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
3 minutes ago
- New York Times
Dolphins, Minkah Fitzpatrick agree to revised deal including $16 million signing bonus
The Miami Dolphins have signed Minkah Fitzpatrick to a revised contract, adding a $16.245 million signing bonus to the Pro Bowl safety's deal, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed to The Athletic. Prior to the restructure, Fitzpatrick, who was scheduled to receive a base salary of $15.5 million this season, according to had no guaranteed money left on the remaining two years of his contract, which runs through 2026. No additional years were added. ESPN was first to report the deal. Advertisement The Dolphins re-acquired Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers last month in a trade for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, along with a 2027 seventh-round draft selection. Fitzpatrick had become one of the NFL's top and highest-paid safeties in Pittsburgh, with whom he signed a four-year, $72.988 million deal in 2022. The 28-year-old safety recently signed on with Rosenhaus as his agent. Miami originally drafted Fitzpatrick with the No. 11 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was traded to the Steelers the following season, where he earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. During his six seasons with the Steelers, he was a three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ex-Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick already pushing for new deal with Dolphins
It's been less than a month since the Steelers traded Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami — but he's allegedly looking for a new deal with the Dolphins. On Saturday, Dolphins insider Omar Kelly reported that Fitzpatrick, who's out of guaranteed money on his current contract, switched agents to Drew Rosenhaus — in hopes of getting a new deal. Kelly also noted that Rosenhaus represents Dolphins DT Zach Sieler, who's also looking for a reworked contract in the near future. Fitzpatrick is due $15.5 million this season and $17.7 million in 2026 — but it remains to be seen if the Dolphins will extend their former first-round draft pick or allow him to leave Miami. The Steelers landed two talented playmakers in exchange for Fitzpatrick — All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith, both versatile and expected to play major roles for Pittsburgh this upcoming season. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Ex-Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick pushing for new Dolphins deal
USA Today
32 minutes ago
- USA Today
Former LSU baseball pitcher transfers to Tigers' familiar postseason foe
Former LSU baseball pitcher Nic Bronzini is on the move to his third school. He committed to Little Rock, per a social media post from the team account. The left-hander spent the 2025 season at Washington after two years in Baton Rouge. He redshirted in 2023, then played six games as a reliever during his redshirt freshman year in 2024. Bronzini pitched just one-third of an inning in 2025. He surrendered two walks and a hit during the March appearance against Portland. He was a part of Washington's first season in the Big Ten. The Huskies posted a 17-13 conference record. Little Rock should be familiar to LSU fans. The Trojans were a part of the Baton Rouge Regional of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and they knocked off the Tigers 10-4 to force a championship game in Alex Box Stadium. LSU clinched a berth in the super regionals the following day with a 10-6 win.
