Top Florida baseball transfer Jaden Bastian suffers injury
Story by Hunter DeLauder
Jacksonville transfer outfielder Jaden Bastian suffered a severe right-leg injury during Florida baseball’s 11th fall scrimmage on Saturday. The injury took place right after Bastian was seen running down the first-base line, attempting to beat out a ground ball double play. Bastian tripped over first base and landed awkwardly on the ground just past the bag.
Soon after, athletic trainers rushed on the field to attend to the junior outfielder. Players immediately dropped to their knees and stayed put, even after Florida assistant and interim coach Chuck Jeroloman told them to come off.
An ambulance arrived soon after and loaded Bastian up onto a stretcher and sent him out of Condron Family Ballpark to be transported to UF Health Shands Hospital. A UF spokesperson told Gators Online that it appears to be a compound fracture to his right leg, and he will have surgery.
Jaden Bastian was a top transfer for Florida
Bastian transferred this summer and was in a prime position to be one of the starters in the Gators’ outfield this spring. Last season at JU, Bastian appeared in 55 games, hit .302 with 64 hits, 11 home runs, 33 RBIs and an ASUN league-leading 36 stolen bases. He came in as the No. 25-ranked transfer according to Baseball America.
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It was a slow start to the fall for Bastian, who suffered a minor-shoulder injury before fall practices began on an outfield collision that kept him out of the first five scrimmages. As soon as he was cleared, Bastain’s presence was felt on offense and defense.
His first two scrimmages back, Bastian went 3-for-5 with an RBI, but his big day came this past Wednesday during the team’s ninth scrimmage. He went 3-for-3 with a leadoff home run, two doubles and three RBIs. Defensively, his speed has been a big boost to Florida’s outfield. On Wednesday, Bastain cut down a ball hit into the gap and started a relay to cut down Ethan Surowiec at third base.
Bastian also made multiple diving catches and showed off his speed and athleticism during Florida’s 10th scrimmage on Friday.
