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Florida Gators’ dual-threat first baseman slash left-handed starting pitcher Jac Caglianone is a true unicorn.
As a sophomore in 2023, Caglianone blasted 33 home runs and drove in 90 runs in 71 games for the Gators while also going 7-4 on the mound with 87 strikeouts in 74.2 innings pitched.
This year, Jac Caglianone has been even more impressive. So far through 48 games, he has already hit 27 home runs, is batting .412, and is 5-1 with 63 strikeouts in 53.1 innings pitched.
It is his hitting prowess, however, that college baseball teams are struggling the most with this season as his 1.367 OPS makes clear.
Which is why on Tuesday night the University of South Florida Bulls tried a defensive shift that many fans have probably never seen attempted before.
Every time Jac Caglianone came up to bat in Tuesday’s game, the Bulls moved every infielder on the field to the right side of second base.
They also had four outfielders spread out and playing very deep, almost on the warning track the outfield and one playing in shallow right field.
USF’s current defensive setup against Jac Caglianone: 4 outfielders and not a soul on the left side of second base. Whatever it takes I guess lol @bigdonkey47 pic.twitter.com/RrqIDv5tjy
— Jesse Simmons (@ItsJesseSimmons) May 8, 2024
Guess what?
It didn’t work.
The 21-year-old Caglianone went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
Jac Caglianone! There are VERY few college/pro players who can hit this ball over the fence.
The data: 351ft, 90.7mph exit velo, 25.6° launch angle. Insane.
Also, fantastic catch by the kid and a memory he’ll definitely remember!@GatorsBB @MLBPipelinepic.twitter.com/nsOFYYsaaQ
— Harrison Cordell Fant (@Fantavious9) May 8, 2024
Oh yeah, he also now has a 27-game hitting streak.
Gonna need to put a few guys in the food truck lot as well honestly
— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) May 8, 2024
What’s perhaps even more crazy is that 21-year-old sophomore Charlie Condon of the University of Georgia hit his 33rd home run of the season on Tuesday… in just 47 games! By the way, it was the seventh straight game that Condon has homered and he is batting .459.
Charlie Condon continues to make SEC competition look like little league.
He’s riding a seven-game home run streak and now has a seven-homer lead on Florida’s Jac Caglianone for the home run title.
(📽️ @SECNetwork)pic.twitter.com/EIjP2jmMjB
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 7, 2024
College baseball fans are absolutely gobsmacked by the prodigious power of these two young stars.
“Going back is the 3rd baseman, and he’s gonna run out of room”
Certainly don’t hear that everyday— Ty Hansen (@Ty__Hansen) May 8, 2024
“I thought this was a LLWS highlight for a second,” another fan joked about Caglianone’s homer.
“Alright kids sit around and let grandpa tell you about the time USF played 4 outfielders against Jac Caglianone.” pic.twitter.com/8NDZ49rdNL
— Barstool Florida (@UFBarstool) May 8, 2024
“Again. Any coach who pitches to this dude should be fired for cause at this point. $0 buyout,” one fan wrote about Condon.
Mark Kingston asked how to pitch to Charlie Condon:
"You throw the ball to the backstop and make sure he doesn't steal second base."
— Alan Cole (@Alan__Cole) May 8, 2024