Gainesville, FL

Santa Fe College baseball is well represented this summer, with seven players competing in various leagues across the southeast. Read below to learn more about their summer seasons!

Valley League:

Infielder Rex Smith continues to make strides in his baseball career, currently suiting the Purcellville Cannons in the Valley Baseball League.

Smith, who recently completed his first season with the Saints after transferring from State College of Florida, played a vital role in the team's success throughout the 2025 season. Known for his consistency at the plate and leadership in the clubhouse, Smith appeared in 36 games and finished the season with a strong .438 on base percentage and a .275 batting average.

Now with the Purcellville Cannons, Smith is gaining valuable summer ball experience in one of the country's top collegiate summer leagues. The Valley League, located in Virginia, is known for developing elite talent and providing players exposure to professional scouts. So far Smith has played 17 games and averaging .214 for the Cannons.

Pitcher Nick Staszak is continuing his development this summer with the Purcellville Cannons in the Valley Baseball League.

During his 2024 season at Santa Fe College, Staszak appeared in 20 games, starting once, and logged 46.2 innings with a 5.98 ERA, 36 strikeouts, and a 1.82 WHIP. In 2025, he had 15 appearances including 7 starts; where he posted an 8.50 ERA across 36.0 innings, striking out 33 and walking 17 while maintaining a 1.78 WHIP.

Staszak, a 6'5" sophomore, has appeared in 9 games for the Cannons, pitching 14.0 innings and posting 20 strikeouts, 7 walks, and allowing just 8 hits. His success on the mound reflects the growth he showed during his time at Santa Fe, where he became a key contributor to the Saints' array of arms.

Kolten Leach, a pitcher who spent the 2025 season as a redshirt, is gaining valuable experience this summer with the Front Royal Cardinals in the Valley Baseball League.

Although Leach did not appear in official game action for the Saints, the 6'2" Tallahassee native has made the most of his summer opportunity. Through his first 2 games with Front Royal, he's gone 3-for-8 at the plate with 3 RBI, 1 walk, and a .375 batting average, a strong start in one of the nation's top wood-bat collegiate leagues.

Florida League

In his first season with the Saints, Brady Wright saw action in 13 games, including 3 games in which he started on the mound. Wright finished the year with a 1–0 record, throwing a total of 17 innings. While he faced some growing pains, posting a 10.38 ERA and a 2.42 WHIP. He also showed promise, striking out 16 batters and gaining valuable experience at the college level.

This summer, Wright is taking the mound for the Sanford River Rats in the Florida League. Through 5 appearances, he's pitched 18 innings, just allowing 10 hits and 4 runs. He's walked 8 but countered that with an impressive 24 strikeouts, earning a perfect 2–0 record so far. Wright was also named a Florida League All-Star this summer. His performance is turning heads and proving that he's continuing to develop into a reliable presence on the mound.

Florida Gulf Coast League

In a season filled with standout performances, freshman first baseman Ryan Chase has emerged as a cornerstone of the Santa Fe Saints baseball program. Coming from Land O' Lakes, Florida, Chase has made an immediate impact, earning First Team All-FCSAA and First Team All- Citrus Conference honors for the 2025 season.

Chase wrapped up his first year with a .391 batting average, 10 home runs, and 52 RBI's. He ranked among the top five in the state for both RBIs and total bases. His consistency at the plate and reliability in the field has made him one of the most impressive players in the Citrus Conference.

This summer, Ryan has been a standout in the Florida Gulf Coast League for the Tampa Blaze. The Blaze continues to surge, thanks to the impressive play of Chase, whose recent performance has solidified his spot as one of the most dynamic hitters in the league. He has tallied, 25 total hits, 21 RBI's and 3 home runs.

Chase has since moved to the Valley League, where he is playing for the Front Royal Cardinals. In his first game with the Cardinals, Chase went 2-3 with 2 RBI's and a double.

South Florida Collegiate Baseball League

Outfielder Javier Soto is making a strong statement this summer, showcasing his talent in the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League (SFCBL) as a member of the West Boca Snappers.

Through 15 games, Soto has had a solid summer at the plate, batting .349 with one home run and 15 hits. Soto has been a dynamic outfielder for the Snappers and a trusty bat at the plate, having a controlled approach that has earned him 8 walks on the year. His athleticism and strong arm make it difficult to take him out of the lineup.

This will be Soto's final tune-up before heading to the University of Tampa to get ready for fall camp.

Infielder Trey Freeman is making a major impact this summer in the competitive South Florida Collegiate Baseball League, playing for the West Palm Beach Iguanas.

Through 26 games, Freeman has showcased his offensive consistency and clutch hitting, posting a .343 batting average, driving in 18 RBIs, and launching 2 home runs. His standout performance earned him a spot as an All-Star representative from the Iguanas this summer.

Freeman's success this summer is a continuation of his performance this season with the Saints, where he hit .303 with 9 extra base hits.