Three Florida Gators baseball standouts—Brendan Lawson, Aidan King and Caden McDonald—have been recognized on Baseball America’s Second-Team All-America list, a testament to a season that placed the program among the nation’s elite.
King’s Breakout Year
Aidan King, a true sophomore, anchored the rotation with eight victories, a 3.21 earned-run average and 92 strikeouts across 97 innings, earning the distinction of SEC Pitcher of the Year and becoming the fourth Gator in league history to claim that honor.
His four All-America nods, which also include selections by the NCBWA, Perfect Game and the American Baseball Coaches Association, underscore his rapid ascent.
McDonald’s Two-Way Impact
Caden McDonald, a redshirt sophomore, contributed both at the plate and on the mound, batting .319 with a .379 on-base percentage and .702 slugging while launching nine home runs, and posting a 3.42 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP over 20 appearances.
Lawson’s Offensive Leadership
Brendan Lawson led the Gators offensively, topping the team with 19 homers and 68 runs scored, while his OPS of 1.210, on-base percentage of .511 and slugging of .699 all ranked first among teammates.
National Recognition
The collective honors reflect a season in which Florida’s talent pool not only competed fiercely within the SEC but also earned national recognition from outlets such as Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, Perfect Game and the American Baseball Coaches Association.