Gator Baseball 2024 OFFICIAL ROSTER/Transfer Tracker/Lineup???

I agree that Wyatt's emergence last year makes one feel we missed out on his skills, but I understand the explanation I've heard, too. His physical and work attitude improvement were said to be the most important factors, but the most obvious factor to me was the Gator starting outfield of Jacob Young, Jud Fabian and Sterlin Thompson. None of those three seemed to be a weak spot. Thompson was capable of moving to 2B and, in fact, started at 2B in game one, but Colby Halter took over at 2B, batted .300 and won the position for the year.

Kirby McMullen played 3B most of the season. He was a fifth-year senior and solid player, but probably the guy most likely to lose a position had anyone guessed that Wyatt could break out the way he did the next season. My perception is that Wyatt understood that breaking into the lineup would require the hard work and commitment that he put into his very successful transformation. It was not a matter of an obvious superstar being benched. Context is critical to analysis. Boy, do I agree we will miss him.

 

When you look up five tool baseball player you should get an image of Wyatt.

And the sixth tool that is never talked about is having a good eye at the plate and being willing to take a walk.

 

His 6th tool and most valuable one is that he plays the game the right way. No flash, head down and zero drama. Unfortunately 90% of the players in MLB today don't have this tool. Take a look at who the Tigers drafted ahead of Wyatt. All he talked about was his 'shoe' collection. He will be out of baseball in less than 6 years.....

 

Gators got Brody Donay from Virginia Tech, only a sophomore next year. Hit .260 12 HRs can play catcher and corner outfield. From Lakeland Christian, played with Ty Evans.

 

Love that we get a few years here. Thinking outfield and specifically left but sure helps he can catch.

 

Florida lands commitment from transfer catcher Brody Donay

• by Graham Hall
• 13 minutes ago

Florida's transfer class gained another commitment Saturday with the addition of catcher Brody Donay. Donay played one season at Virginia Tech and will arrive at Florida with three seasons of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Donay recorded 12 home runs in 39 games with the Hokies. He's spending the summer playing in the Cape Cod league with Hyannis, where Donay is currently batting. 424.

To go along with his 12 home runs, Donay batted .260 during his freshman season with 38 RBIs, a .352 on-base percentage, and a .585 slugging percentage. While he appeared in 39 games, he made 33 starts for the Hokies after taking over the starting job midway through the season.

 

Actually, now that I think about it, I see him playing, multiple positions, catcher, left field, and DH.

 

Nesbitt to UCF. Hope he’s a weekend guy for them. Has the stuff, especially with the change up.

 

Just from a few minutes google search:
- Donay had two hits of over 110 MPH in one weekend
- Threw out three SB attempts in one game
- Homers against capable teams: Miami, Virginia (two), Florida State (two in one game) [maybe not a "capable team" last year, but still ACC], North Carolina.
- Only 142 PA, 123 AB. Based on his HR/AB or HR/PA, if he got as many tries as Jac Caglianone, Donay would have hit 26-28 HR

 

I was hoping Halter would come back for both Colby’s (Alabama transfer) in the infield. Interested to see who replaces Josh at SS.

You can’t replace Wyatt, but hope we hit the recruits and transfer portal hard!

 

The only drafted Gator who is unsigned is Stone Russell and I'd be surprised if he goes pro.

 

From Jacob Rudner on 247sports, "Note: Nick Ficarrotta played his last game yesterday. I’m told he’s moving on from the game" (June 27th). So, I think it's safe to say we don't have to count him on next year's roster total.