GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – In a sport where over 1,000 players take the field each year, the University of Florida was well represented.
While many players in Major League Baseball (MLB) are drafted out of high school or sign as international free agents, the Gators had the most alumni among colleges and universities on the diamond in the 2025 regular season, with 17.
RELATED: Big debut in the Big Apple: Brandon Sproat shines
This included debuts from Brandon Sproat, Hunter Barco, Jac Caglianone and Philip Abner.
However, despite the 17 players throughout the league, just two made it to the postseason and now just one remains.
With the elimination of Brady Singer and the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader is the only player still representing the Gators in the postseason.
RELATED: Former Gator Philip Abner makes MLB Debut
Bader was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft and made his debut on July 25, 2017. Since, he has played for five different teams.
Bader began the 2025 season as a member of the Minnesota Twins after being signed to a one-year contract.
He was then traded to the Phillies ahead of the trade deadline for two prospects.
Philadelphia finished the season with a 96-66 record, leading them to a National League East championship and a bye in the playoffs.
En route to returning to the playoffs for a second-straight year, the 31-year-old hit .277 with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs and had 11 stolen bases. He finished 2025 with a 4.2 WAR (wins above replacement).
Bader and the Phillies will host the Dodgers in the NLDS (National League Divisional Series), which begins Saturday.
Bader looks to become the first Gator to win the World Series since Dane Dunning won as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2023.
Tune into TV20 Sports on WCJB TV20 ABC daily at 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. with Olivia Eisenhauer and Carson Lokey.
Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Copyright 2025 WCJB. All rights reserved.