Is he putting together the best freshman season in the history of Gator Baseball? Hudson Randall had a really good freshman year on the mound for the Gators in 2010 and I'm sure there have been others. But Kurland's season is something special.
He’s certainly emerging from his quasi-slump at a great time. If we could get the bottom of the order to do the same, and get some breaks along the way, we could go far.
I think he’s leading in several offensive categories for all time numbers for a true freshman second baseman at Florida.
It's an attention grabber, no doubt. I respect Sully for not publicly dogging the kid for being the only player on the team with at least 120 at-bats and no triples. Shows that he has a bigger picture in mind. I just hope he can use this as motivation to get better rather than allow it to be a burden that he carries with him. Go GATORS! ,WESGATORS
As with most things Gator Baseball related, the answer is Brad Wilkerson. Also, Preston Tucker set the (still standing) school record for RBI his freshman year.
He’s supposed to be in hs! If he continues on an upward trajectory, the next couple years with him are going to be special. He’s got a few things to work on defensively, but even there, he hasn’t really been a liability. I don’t know that he was ever really in much of a slump. He’s kept a ba over .300, and an obp over .400 all season, hasn’t he?
Agree. And he's hitting .312 against SEC pitching, with a .661 slugging % and .400 OBP. Plus his OPS in SEC games is 1.061, second only to Langford. 10 of his home runs and 21 RBI are in SEC games
Not a coincidence that these guys also hit 3 triples each in their freshman seasons. When you hit triples, good things happen. Go GATORS! ,WESGATORS
Good job, DD11. Look at these numbers for Wilkerson's freshman season, 1996: Batting avg. .407, 9 HR, 68 RBI, .635 slugging %, 76 BB, 34 K's, .547 OBP, 14-19 stolen bases. On the mound, 30 appearances, all in relief, 5-2, 2.97 ERA, 6 saves, 67 K's, 28 BB in 63.2 innings. 1st Team All American and hit a grand slam in the CWS to beat FSU. Wilkerson is the standard, no doubt. But Kurland is breathing that same rarified air.
No doubt DD11– Wilkerson was the man. When I made the post I did I was referring to the 2nd basemen @ UF.
Yep, Kurland has been impressive, especially given his youth. Looks like he will be setting a few records before he departs. Not flashy at second but solid and much more power than I would expect. Future is bright.
Agreed—as he matures his arm strength will increase which is what I kinda hold my breathe on right now—when he ranges to his right and makes a backhanded play on a ground ball his throws to first have somewhat of a looping track to it. Time will take care of that though.
