ESPN REPORT: Jac Caglianone Named Greatest College Baseball Player of All Time
In a landmark announcement that has stirred excitement across the college baseball world, ESPN has officially named Florida’s Jac Caglianone the Greatest College Baseball Player of All Time. The designation comes after months of analysis, fan voting, and expert panel deliberations, with Caglianone edging out legendary players such as Texas’ Greg Swindell, LSU’s Todd Walker, and Florida State’s Buster Posey.
Caglianone, a two-way phenom for the Florida Gators, captured the attention of the nation with his rare combination of power hitting and dominant pitching. In 2023 and 2024, he rewrote the NCAA record books, shattering home run records while anchoring Florida’s rotation with a fastball that topped 98 mph. His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball drew comparisons to MLB star Shohei Ohtani and set a new standard for college baseball excellence.
The ESPN panel praised Caglianone’s “once-in-a-generation impact” on the college game. “Jac didn’t just dominate—he changed how we view college baseball players,” said ESPN analyst and former MLB scout Tom Hart. “There’s never been anyone quite like him at this level.”
Caglianone’s career at Florida has been nothing short of historic. He smashed more than 60 home runs across two seasons, maintained a batting average over .340, and posted a sub-3.00 ERA in SEC play—widely regarded as the most competitive conference in college baseball. In 2023, he led the Gators to the College World Series finals, and in 2024, he returned with a vengeance, capturing national player of the year honors and helping Florida clinch a national title.
The competition for the “GOAT” title was fierce. Greg Swindell, a dominant pitcher for Texas in the 1980s, was long considered one of the most complete pitchers in college baseball history. LSU’s Todd Walker, known for his clutch hitting and leadership during LSU’s dynasty in the 1990s, was a fan favorite. Meanwhile, Buster Posey—whose 2008 season at Florida State remains legendary—was widely regarded as one of the best all-around players of his generation.
Yet, Caglianone’s unprecedented two-way dominance ultimately won over the voters.
As news of the honor spread, Caglianone remained humble. “It’s a huge honor to even be mentioned with those legends,” he said. “College baseball gave me everything. I just tried to give it everything I had.”
With this recognition, Jac Caglianone cements his place in college baseball immortality, redefining what it means to be great in the NCAA diamond.