"He’s got special hitting ability" - Florida's Kevin O’Sullivan heaps praise on projected No. 1 pick Jac Caglianone ahead of 2024 MLB draft

Jac Caglianone has been a force to be reckoned with in college baseball. He has been a standout for the Florida Gators since joining them in 2022, enthralling the country as one of the most feared two-way players in recent history.

After excelling at Plant High, Caglianone developed his craft further under the guidance of head coach Kevin O'Sullivan, who has been instrumental in making the Gators' baseball program one of the most successful in recent years. Ahead of the 2024 MLB draft, O'Sullivan spoke volumes of the two-way sensation's talent, revealing how he has become a complete player (via Baseball Prospect Journal):

"It’s obvious that he’s got special hitting ability. But what he’s been able to do at the other parts of his game, defensively, he’s just a difference maker on that side of the ball. Just like he runs the bases really good.

“So those are the things that I try to point out, because the other stuff with the hitting ability and the power, that’s obvious to see, everybody knows that, but he’s really turned himself into a complete player.”

Jac Caglianone is the No. 3 prospect in 2024 MLB draft

This season, the odds were stacked against the Florida Gators to make a postseason run as deep as 2023, where they made the College World Series Finals. They were seeded third in the Stillwater Regional, but sprung a surprise by winning it.

They stunned the Clemson Tigers in the Clemson Super Regional to make this year's College World Series as the only unseeded team, and Caglianone had a major role to play in their success this season.

Jac Caglianone set records to help the Florida Gators make a deep postseason run.

Jac Caglianone broke his own record for most home runs in a single season when he scored a three-run home run against the NC State Wolfpack in the College World Series on June 17. He finished the season with 35 home runs, which was also the second-highest in the country behind only the 37 of Georgia Bulldogs' Charlie Condon.

The junior also drove in 83 runs with an average of .419, while being walked 58 times. He was also exceptional on the mound, going 5-2 while recording 83 strikeouts with an ERA of 4.76. His exploits this season have made him the No. 3 prospect in the 2024 MLB draft, behind only Condon and Oregon State's Travis Bazzana expected to finish above him.

He is bound to be picked in the first round of the draft this year. Whether the Cleveland Guardians will make him the No. 1 overall pick or not, will be revealed on July 14.