Gator Baseball 2022 Roster/Lineup/Batting Order

Lots of hopes and speculation as we approach the scrimmages and season. My take is that you want quality pitching; starting, mid relief and closing; and you want timely clutch hitting, smart baserunning and defense. The new Park does not play well for power so go the other way- damn it. For success, need a mix of veterans and young guys to come together and leadership on the field to emerge. The team is a question mark and only if more senior guys play up to their potential and 3-4 new guys step up will we know how good or not we can be. My expectation is we have a great year. We'll see the alchemy that emerges... that is the best part of college ball.

 

Agree that pitching will determine the results for this season. The return of injured pitchers may be most important. Slater had just a few innings, probably fewer than 50 pitches, but looked very good. Hartmann and Abner were my favorite frosh, but still frosh.

I felt Sully will be able to fill the positions with whoever has a hot bat and there will be MANY options. I see very few Guiscette comments, but I felt he and Jud were the only players who won positions. The other catchers were playing for backup innings.

 

Agree that pitching will determine the results for this season. The return of injured pitchers may be most important. Slater had just a few innings, probably fewer than 50 pitches, but looked very good. Hartmann and Abner were my favorite frosh, but still frosh.

I felt Sully will be able to fill the positions with whoever has a hot bat and there will be MANY options. I see very few Guiscette comments, but I felt he and Jud were the only players who won positions. The other catchers were playing for backup innings.[/QUOTE]


Of the new pitchers-- Abner was the most impressive- poised, in command and with three good pitches- maybe the Sunday guy. Hartman also looked good. Hoping Sproat can step up and deliver as the Saturday. Couple of other newbies can help and would like to see 2nd year guys like Manning step up.
Do have any news on Pogue and Nesbitt progress and availability for later in the year?

Not sure I fully agree on your catchers comment: my take is Sully will have to find a way to get Guscette, Lastres and Riopelle some playing time- somewhere. Guscette solid no doubt but Lastres and Riopelle got more playing time behind the plate in the fall and I see Lastres as a future star- may have to bide his time but has all the tools and good command on the field- a bit like Mike Rivera but bigger and with more bat.

 

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In projecting who among the new pitchers may be able to help this year, we've overlooked Coppola who was very highly recruited. Tall lanky kid -- a little like Puk-- but leaner. I didn't see him pitch except his not so good appearance in the Ga. Southern exhibition but have others seen his scrimmage performances? He's a top 50 in Perfect Game scouting.

 

I’ve seen him twice in the fall and one outing was absolutely lights out. The other was good not great. I have a feeling he will be the Sunday starter by the time we start SEC play and the Friday night starter the next two years. But that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

Thanks for the intel Matside- that makes two pretty solid freshmen left handers-- Abner- whom I saw a few times in the Fall and he looked the part as a Sunday guy- and Coppola- highly touted and great projection. Plus a promising freshman righthander Hartman- big, hard throwing and throws strikes. Looking good but agree with 87... TBD

 

Yes, from Ocala and in my view- the best pure hitter on the team. Expect a breakout year and hope to see him in the 3-hole in the lineup where his RBI total will increase - also see him with a bit more pop this year though more of a smart line drive hitter to all fields- -I can see him with 10 HRs and 20 doubles on the sheet.

 

Michael Robertson may end up being the guy as leadoff batter. I'm sure Sully will experiment with the lineup the first few weeks of the season, but it wouldn't surprise me if Robertson earns his way into that slot. Hard to do as a true freshman, but the kid is mature for his age and can fly.

 

Ocalaman- (which one?) may be on the something. Robertson can fly- maybe faster than J. Young- and a contact hitter. Halter too may be lead off guy.
87-- Jud has far too many Ks for lead-off spot in my view.. I see him down in the order at 4 or 5 hole- but Sully may hesitate to drop him for confidence purposes. Interesting to see who emerges in pre-season scrimmages.