GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Baseball America concluded its rankings of the top-100 transfers from this offseason on Tuesday, featuring three new Gators in outfielder Jaden Bastian, right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer and catcher Karson Bowen.
Coming to the Orange & Blue from Jacksonville University, Bastian was the top-ranked Gator on the list at No. 25 overall. The rising junior was followed by Sandefer (UCF) and Bowen (TCU) at No. 63 and No. 79, respectively.
Gators in Baseball America's Top-100 Transfer Rankings
OF Jaden Bastian – No. 25
RHP Russell Sandefer – No. 63
C Karson Bowen – No. 79
In two seasons at Jacksonville, Bastian slashed .289/.429/.524 with 17 homers, 12 doubles, 91 runs, 58 RBI and 47 stolen bases. The Winter Garden, Fla. native enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025, swiping a conference-high 36 bags while hitting .302/.433/.552 backed by 11 homers and 10 doubles. Bastian produced that output while fielding at a .973 clip in center field.
Coming to the Gators for his junior season after two years at UCF, Sandefer made 18 appearances including six starts on the mound as a sophomore. Striking out 49 batters over 50 2/3 frames, the Tampa, Fla. product posted a 3.38 ERA and one save. As a result, Sandefer wrapped up his Knights career with a 3.36 ERA and 88-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 96 1/3 innings pitched.
As a Second Team All-Big 12 honoree, Bowen hit .333/.425/.516 with four homers, three triples, 11 doubles, 29 runs and 28 RBI in 45 games (41 starts) for the Horned Frogs this past season. Across his three-year tenure in Fort Worth, the Anaheim Hills, Calif. native registered a .308/.390/.463 batting line, 16 home runs, 33 doubles, 112 RBI, 110 runs and 20 steals. Bowen also delivered a .990 fielding percentage across 1,261 career chances at catcher and first base.
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