Caden McDonald celebrates a home run in the UF dugout during the 2026 NCAA Gainesville Regional at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Hannah White
King, McDonald Earn Pair of All-America Accolades
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | Baseball
Starting pitcher Aidan King (First Team) and two-way player Caden McDonald (Second Team) are All-Americans for the first time in their careers.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association unveiled its 2026 All-America Teams on Wednesday afternoon, honoring Florida Gators starting pitcher Aidan King on the First Team and two-way player Caden McDonald on the Second Team.
Although King was a unanimous 2025 Freshman All-American one year ago, Wednesday's announcement represents the first set of regular All-America honors for both Gators. King was named to the First Team as a starting pitcher while McDonald was tabbed to the Second Team as a utility player for his stellar performance on both sides of the ball.
Perfect Game also released its list of All-Americans on Wednesday, placing King and McDonald on the Second Team as a starting pitcher and two-way player, respectively.
2026 Florida Baseball All-Americans
Aidan King, SP – First Team (NCBWA), Second Team (PG)
Caden McDonald, UT – Second Team (NCBWA, PG)
Becoming the first Gator underclassman to collect SEC Pitcher of the Year honors including the fourth in league history, King led Florida with eight wins, a 3.21 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 97.0 innings pitched while holding hitters to a .218 batting average. On the season, King fanned 92 batters against 19 free passes, equating to a 4.84 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In SEC action, he led all starters with a 0.89 WHIP, tied for the top spot in victories (six) and held hitters to a .184 batting average. As a true workhorse, King fired a team-high eight quality starts including six in SEC play – pitching into the seventh inning five times against SEC foes. His 62.0 SEC innings trailed only Alabama's Tyler Fay.
After being inserted into the starting lineup on April 24 vs. Texas A&M, McDonald emerged as one of the nation's premier two-way stars by reaching base in 18 of 20 games and popping a team-best nine home runs. Prior to the series at Oklahoma, only two players in UF history had recorded a home run, thrown three-plus scoreless innings and earned the win in the same game: Jac Caglianone and Brian Johnson. McDonald accomplished that feat twice in consecutive series against OU and UK, concluding the campaign with a .319/.379/.702 slash line and 18 extra-base hits in 21 starts while working to a 3.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and .222 batting average against over 20 relief appearances.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official website at www.ncbwa.com.
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Although King was a unanimous 2025 Freshman All-American one year ago, Wednesday's announcement represents the first set of regular All-America honors for both Gators. King was named to the First Team as a starting pitcher while McDonald was tabbed to the Second Team as a utility player for his stellar performance on both sides of the ball.
Perfect Game also released its list of All-Americans on Wednesday, placing King and McDonald on the Second Team as a starting pitcher and two-way player, respectively.
2026 Florida Baseball All-Americans
Aidan King, SP – First Team (NCBWA), Second Team (PG)
Caden McDonald, UT – Second Team (NCBWA, PG)
Becoming the first Gator underclassman to collect SEC Pitcher of the Year honors including the fourth in league history, King led Florida with eight wins, a 3.21 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 97.0 innings pitched while holding hitters to a .218 batting average. On the season, King fanned 92 batters against 19 free passes, equating to a 4.84 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In SEC action, he led all starters with a 0.89 WHIP, tied for the top spot in victories (six) and held hitters to a .184 batting average. As a true workhorse, King fired a team-high eight quality starts including six in SEC play – pitching into the seventh inning five times against SEC foes. His 62.0 SEC innings trailed only Alabama's Tyler Fay.
After being inserted into the starting lineup on April 24 vs. Texas A&M, McDonald emerged as one of the nation's premier two-way stars by reaching base in 18 of 20 games and popping a team-best nine home runs. Prior to the series at Oklahoma, only two players in UF history had recorded a home run, thrown three-plus scoreless innings and earned the win in the same game: Jac Caglianone and Brian Johnson. McDonald accomplished that feat twice in consecutive series against OU and UK, concluding the campaign with a .319/.379/.702 slash line and 18 extra-base hits in 21 starts while working to a 3.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and .222 batting average against over 20 relief appearances.
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official website at www.ncbwa.com.
Follow the Gators
#GoGators
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