Gators in the Pros: Jonathan India Adjusting to Life With Royals After Trade

SURPRISE, Ariz. — From winning a national championship at the University of Florida to earning National League Rookie of the Year honors with the Cincinnati Reds, Jonathan India has experienced nothing short of an impressive career so far.

The 2018 first-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year helped the Gators achieve their first and only College World Series title in 2017. As a junior, he put together one of the best offensive seasons in UF history — hitting .350 with 21 homers and 51 RBIs, leading the SEC in homers, walks, slugging, on-base percentage and total bases — before the Cincinnati Reds drafted him fifth overall in the 2018 MLB Draft. Only Mike Zunino (third, 2012) and Wyatt Langford (fourth, 2023) have been selected higher in program history.

After just two seasons in the minors, India made his major league debut with the Reds on Opening Day in 2021. He had a stellar rookie season, posting a .269/.376/.459 line with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs to become the second former Gators star in three seasons to be named the NL’s top rookie — joining Pete Alonso (Mets) in 2019.

After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, India was traded this offseason for Royals pitcher and former Gators teammate Brady Singer.

Sports@CJC caught up with India at the Royals’ spring training facility in Surprise to discuss his acclimation to his new team in Kansas City and time at UF.

1. What has this offseason been like on a new team after getting traded to Kansas City?

India: It was pretty different. I’ve been on the Reds for so long, drafted by the Reds and then traded in November for one of my college teammates [Singer] to here [Kansas City]. And it’s been great though. There’s a great group of guys.

2. Was that weird for you, being traded for Brady [Singer]?

India: We’ve always wanted to play together because we were in Florida together, won a national championship. And he was pushing for me to come here. And, you know, it just sucked for us [to be traded] for each other. But it is what it is. It’s a business, and we’ve got to move forward.

3. So over the past year and a half, you’ve had a kid, you’ve gotten married, you’ve been traded. A lot has been going on in your life. So what has been the biggest challenge in all of that?

India: We grew up so fast. It’s just like everything hits you. I had a baby girl. Adalina. She’s literally my life; I’d do anything for that girl now. And I do everything for her and my wife. It hits you once that family lifestyle comes around. I’m a dad now. I’m a husband now, so I prioritize them over everything.

4. So do you think that’s been like the most rewarding part of all this for you?

India: Everyone thinks people struggle with that or it gets to be a lot. I think, well, for me, it was just a relief, you know, like my life is complete. I can build a family now and continue my career.

5. Would you say that the Royals community has welcomed you guys with open arms?

India: They’re absolutely amazing here. You know, the wives’ director and even the team wives. It’s been great. My wife just feels so comfortable here, and we’re excited for this season.

6. And then coming from UF — you won the national championship in 2017, then you won the Rookie of the Year in 2021 with the Reds. How did the culture at UF kind of prepare you for coming into professional baseball?

India: I would say it was [a] very disciplined [culture]. It taught us how to be structured in our day, time management, just to be disciplined throughout our work and to work hard. So, I learned a lot from there and Coach [Kevin] O’Sullivan. All the coaches who were on staff when I was there helped me a lot to be the player I am and the man I am right now.

7. What would you say your favorite thing about your time at UF was if you could pick one?

India: Oh my gosh. My teammates, for sure. Just being a Gator, you know? We just had so many fun times there: the weekends, everything about that. That place was amazing. You know, I think back all the time. I can’t believe it’s been 7-8 years now. It’s crazy. So, yeah, just my teammates in general.

8. Now that you have another prominent former Gators star [Jac Caglianone] in the Royals organization, have you guys built a relationship? Do you find common ground on that?

India: We talk every day. He’ll say, “You watch the Gators last night?” The Gators basketball team is good this year, so yeah, we’re always talking about that. You know, Gator Nation, and we’re upping our colors a little bit.

And he’s a hell of a person. He’s young, but he acts like he’s, you know, 30 years old already. He’s got his stuff figured out, for sure.

9. What kind of role do you see yourself taking on in this organization? On the Reds, you were pretty well-liked, well-known by everyone. You were seen as a leader on the team. I know that changes coming into a new place.  What do you feel for yourself here?

India: I don’t really have to be the leader anymore. We have a leader. We have a captain. (Royals catcher Salvador Perez). For me, they want me to be the leadoff guy, just be a baseball player, like the baseball player I know how to be and get on base, steal some bases and score some runs.

More Gators in the Pros:
* A.J. Puk Starting to Feel Comfortable in Deep D’backs ‘Pen
* Dane Dunning on Winning a World Series, His Time With UF
* Hurston Waldrep Working on Getting Back to ‘The Show’ in Atlanta

Category: Cactus League, Gators in the Pros, Kansas City Royals, Top Stories
Tagged: Brady Singer Florida Gators Baseball Jac Caglianone Jonathan India Kansas City Royals