Former Florida Gators are continuing to leave their mark on Major League Baseball, and mid-September brought no shortage of highlights.
Harrison Bader has been on a tear at the plate in Philadelphia, putting up one of the hottest stretches of his career to help the Phillies surge toward the postseason. Meanwhile in New York, Pete Alonso delivered a walk-off home run that snapped a Mets skid and reminded everyone why he remains one of the league’s premier power threats.
On the mound, Brandon Sproat followed up his debut with six shutout innings, Hurston Waldrep had a rocky outing but still looks like a future star and Brady Singer kept Cincinnati’s playoff push alive with another quality start. Wyatt Langford cooled off in Texas, while Jonathan India and Jac Caglianone continue to fight through inconsistency in Kansas City.
Here’s a full breakdown of how Gators in the big leagues performed this past week.
Harrison Bader: Outfielder, Philadelphia Phillies
Last 7 Games: .485 AVG | .500 OBP | .667 SLG | 1 HR | 4 RBI
2025 Season: .288 AVG | .360 OBP | .470 SLG | 16 HR | 53 RBI | 10 SB
Bader has been scorching hot, collecting 16 hits in his last seven games while posting video-game like numbers at the plate. His three-hit effort on Sept. 13 against Kansas City was the centerpiece of his week, and his timely production has been pivotal for a Phillies team closing in on the NL East crown. He looks locked in at the plate, and Philadelphia couldn’t ask for better timing with October right around the corner.
Pete Alonso: First Baseman, New York Mets
Last 7 Games: .250 AVG | .267 OBP | .393 SLG | 1 HR | 4 RBI
2025 Season: .266 AVG | .342 OBP | .510 SLG | 34 HR | 117 RBI
Alonso provided one of the Mets’ few bright spots this week, launching a walk-off homer on Sunday agains the Rangers to snap an eight-game losing streak. Alonso’s 34th long ball of the season wasn’t just clutch, but a reminder of his ability to flip games in a single swing. Even when the Mets struggled, Alonso has delivered in big moments and this was another one that showed why he’s one of baseball’s elite hitters.
Brandon Sproat: Starting Pitcher, New York Mets
Last Outing (Sept. 13 vs. TEX): 6.0 IP | 6 H | 0 ER | 3 K
2025 Season: 0-1 | 2.25 ERA | 12.0 IP | 10 K | 1.08 WHIP
Sproat backed up his impressive debut with an even stronger second start, blanking the Rangers over six innings. The rookie right-hander showed poise beyond his years, scattering six hits and keeping Texas off the board. With two quality starts to open his career, it’s clear the Mets may have something special on their hands.
Brady Singer: Starting Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
Last Outing (Sept. 12 @ ATH): 6.0 IP | 3 H | 2 ER | 4 K
2025 Season: 13-10 | 3.94 ERA | 155.1 IP | 149 K | 1.24 WHIP
Singer has become a workhorse for the Reds, and his outing against the Athletics was another steady showing. While he didn’t factor into the decision, he gave Cincinnati six strong innings with minimal damage. He’s pitching some of the best baseball of his career at the right time, and the Reds are leaning on him heavily as they chase a playoff berth.
Hurston Waldrep: Starting Pitcher, Atlanta Braves
Last Outing (Sept. 12 vs. HOU): 4.2 IP | 8 H | 8 ER | 4 K
2025 Season: 4-1 | 2.78 ERA | 45.1 IP | 42 K | 1.17 WHIP
It wasn’t Waldrep’s best week, as Houston tagged him for eight runs in fewer than five innings. Even with the rough outing, his overall season numbers remain stellar, showing just how dominant he’s been as a rookie. One bad night won’t shake the Braves’ faith in him, and the expectation is that he’ll bounce back quickly.
Wyatt Langford: Outfielder, Texas Rangers
Last 7 Games: .120 AVG | .290 OBP | .240 SLG | 0 HR | 2 RBI | 1 SB
2025 Season: .242 AVG | .341 OBP | .432 SLG | 21 HR | 61 RBI | 19 SB
Langford hit a rough patch this week, managing only three hits in 25 at-bats. He still worked five walks to keep his OBP afloat, but his power cooled off after a strong stretch earlier this month. The Rangers know what he brings when he’s locked in, and they’ll need his bat to get going again as the postseason race heats up.
Jonathan India: Infielder, Kansas City Royals
Last 7 Games: .192 AVG | .276 OBP | .269 SLG | 0 HR | 1 RBI
2025 Season: .234 AVG | .325 OBP | .344 SLG | 8 HR | 42 RBI
India is battling through a tough stretch since returning from the injured list. He notched a two-hit game against the Phillies on Sept. 13 but otherwise struggled to find consistency. It’s been a frustrating year for him at the plate, and the Royals need more production from their veteran infielder.
Jac Caglianone: Outfielder, Kansas City Royals
Last 7 Games: .150 AVG | .292 OBP | .300 SLG | 1 HR | 4 RBI
2025 Season: .151 AVG | .228 OBP | .279 SLG | 6 HR | 14 RBI
Caglianone connected for his sixth home run of the year on Sunday, a much-needed jolt for the rookie slugger. Although his batting average remains low, his flash of power keeps the Royals intrigued. At just 22 years old, Kansas City’s clearly taking the long view with his development, and every at-bat is another step in the process.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Pete Alonso’s walk-off home run highlights Florida Gators in MLB weekly update
Reporting by Aidan Gallardo, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
