After going undrafted in the 2026 MLB Draft, California Golden Bears utility player Jacob French is returning to college baseball in 2027. The rising senior has put together two great seasons for Cal in Berkley.
French announced his return to the Golden Bears on social media.
“I have some unfinished business in the ACC,” French stated in an Instagram post he made on Friday, July 17. “Thank you, Bear Territory, for your belief in me. Excited for the privilege to be a Golden Bear for another year.”
French and his career with California
French transferred to Cal for the 2025 college baseball season after playing his freshman season at the Division II level with nearby San Francisco State.
In 2025, he stepped onto the scene in a major way with the Golden Bears. French had a .390 batting average that season with a .440 on-base percentage. He also had 12 doubles and 36 RBIs.
The utility player also received some conference accolades in his sophomore season. He was named third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and was a part of the All-ACC Championship team.
French played a big role in the surprise run that Cal had in the 2025 ACC Tournament. They defeated Miami and Wake Forest to make it from the first round to the quarterfinals.
In 2026, French put up similar numbers for the Golden Bears that were solid, despite suffering an injury in April. He had a .344 batting average with a .413 on-base percentage in 33 games. He once again reached double figures in doubles with 10 and had 24 RBIs.
After leading Cal in hitting during back-to-back seasons, the utility player from Benicia, Calif. is set up to be the best hitter for the Golden Bears once again. He will be a player to watch next season in the ACC.
2026 season results for the Golden Bears
In 2026, Cal finished the season with a 29-26 overall record. They were 12-18 in ACC play.
Heading into 2027, the Golden Bears will look for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: California base runner Jacob French (15) looks on from first base during an NCAA baseball game against UC Davis on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 in Davis, Calif. (AP Photo/Lachlan Cunningham)
