John Bashford Boroff III, a junior who transferred to Troy University from Enterprise State Community College, has become the talk of the 2026 Men’s College World Series. The moniker ‘Jabe Ruth’ — a playful twist on his nickname ‘Jabe’ — has followed him from the Alabama junior circuit to the national stage, where his bat has been nothing short of incendiary.
In the tournament, Boroff has compiled 21 runs batted in, the most amassed by any player since 2008, propelling the Trojans to a series of high‑scoring victories. Troy has erupted for double‑digit runs in five of its nine games, a testament to a lineup that refuses to be defined by its 30‑loss regular season.
The turning point came in an elimination clash against Ole Miss, where Boroff delivered the decisive go‑ahead double that swung the momentum in Troy’s favor. He has already launched four home runs in the regional round and added two more in the super regionals, underscoring a power surge that has left opposing pitchers reeling.
A Late‑Season Surge
Coach Skip Johnson, who has guided the team through a turbulent year, praised the chemistry between Boroff and teammate Jimmy Janicki, noting that ‘the pair have been some of the most impressive hitters we’ve seen in this tournament.’ Their combined on‑base presence has turned tight games into offensive showcases.
Boroff’s journey reflects the unpredictable pathways of college baseball. After a modest regular season in which he battled consistency, the tournament has become his laboratory of opportunity, illustrating how junior‑college transfers can reshape a program’s destiny.