2025 roster projection

Baseball America did a write-up with another way too early top 25 - they mention Tanner Garrison as a returner. I thought he was done. Does anyone know if he still has eligibility. He was class of 2019 so he has been in college 5 years (not that that means anything these days).

2. Florida (36-30, 13-17)
The Gators undeniably had a down season for much of 2024, as they flirted with a losing record. And, yet, Florida ended the season as one of the last four teams playing. It took some big losses from that team, as All-American Jac Caglianone and closer Brandon Neely moved on to pro ball. But Florida is set to have another elite roster in 2025.

Shortstop Colby Shelton, catcher/first baseman Luke Heyman and outfielder Ty Evans are all back after being draft eligible in 2024. Second baseman Cade Kurland returns, as do catcher Brody Donay and Tanner Garrison. The Gators have to rebuild their pitching staff a bit, but righthander Liam Peterson is back after spending his entire freshman year in the rotation. Lefthander Pierce Coppola should be closer to full strength after returning in mid-season, while righthander Jake Clemente looks ready to make a jump. Florida also has an exciting group of newcomers, led by outfielders Blake Cyr (Miami) and Kyle Jones (Stetson).

 

They may have intended to name Heyman, rather than Garrison, which would make sense. Garrison definitely is gone.

 

Boser is a big get. Really gives O'Sullivan some flexibility to fill holes with a high-quality player.

Love the offense going into next year, assuming Shelton returns. Even with Caglianone gone, it's a really deep lineup with a lot of versatility. Excited to see it.

The pitching staff...well, here's hoping you get leaps from Peterson, Clemente and Coppola.

 

A few Gators on the Cape Cod All Star East team.

All-Star Game Preview: Getting to know the 2024 East Division team | Cape Cod Baseball League

 

Taking a look at Florida baseball’s transfer class | GatorCountry.com
I thought we would get more pitching help from the portal. And we sure have a lot of infielders now!!

 

Sully is best known for his handling of pitchers and preparing them for the pros. I am disappointed that there isn't this one stud transfer that sees an opportunity to be a weekend starter here.

 

Legit SEC starters are few and far between in the portal. They’re expensive. We’ve lost the guy we hoped to challenge for a role two years in a row to the draft.

 

Hurston Waldrep is the kind of guy I am looking for. Two years at Southern Miss followed by a top of the rotation for a year. Then a first round pick!

Hurston Waldrep - Baseball - Florida Gators

 

Florida baseball loses RHP signee Jayden Dubanewicz to MLB Draft

 

Hate this, but best of luck to the kid!!

 

Gators Quartet Inks Pro Contracts - Florida Gators

 

Liam Peterson had one appearance with the USA team with a solid performance. D1Bsb had comments on the USA pitchers, including Pete. Given the writer referred to BSproat as a closer, his analysis may be suspect, but here it is.

Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida- Another highly touted prep as a senior by Prep Baseball, Peterson was rudely welcomed into the SEC to the tune of a 6.18 ERA during his freshman season in Gainesville. However, it’s not for a lack of stuff. An average athlete, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound right-hander can touch the upper-90s with his fastball. However, the pitch plays well below its velocity as it tends to be straight and as a result, hittable. His 83-84 mph breaking ball has plus action and swing/miss when he lands it in the zone and his upper-80s changeup is currently his third pitch. Peterson made one start on the Summer League Tour and struck out seven in four shutout innings while allowing just one hit and no walks. At this point in his development he reminds of former Gator closer Brandon Sproat who was selected in the 2nd round by the Mets in 2023.​

 

D1 Bsb is running 2024 summaries and pre-fall analyses of SEC teams. The Gators fall report includes a matrix of positions and one of pitchers that compares new squads to 2024. Here are the summaries:

Lineup Analysis: The surprising return of both Colby Shelton and Ty Evans transforms a solid lineup into a strong one. Add in returnees Cade Kurland and Luke Heyman, along with part-time starters Brody Donay, Hayden Yost, and Ashton Wilson, and you have the makings of a potent offense. Adding in impact transfers Bobby Boser, Blake Cyr, and Kyle Jones, the Gators have the depth to make a run back to the Men’s College World Series. Also, watch freshman Brandan Lawson, who may be too good to sit.

Mound Analysis: Those freshmen grew up late last season and now return to form the nucleus of a talented staff. Peterson, McNeillie, Clemente, and Menendez should all be improved, along with Coppola, who joined the rotation at midseason. Barlow and Laurito provide quality options, as does yet another crop of strong freshmen candidates.

Overall: The Gators’ cast of veterans didn’t hit for as high an average as expected last year. For the Gators to contend in the new-look SEC without Caglianone, these players need to elevate to produce en masse what Cags did individually. Jones, the A-Sun Freshman of the Year, has star potential if he can make the jump to look as effortless as his gliding style in center. The pitching staff has roles to figure out, even with some fireballing returnees. Peterson has ace potential. Can he become one of the tops in the conference?​

 

Yeah but can they win mid-week games?

 

LMAO—@bigDgator, are you trying to get @wingtee riled up already?

 

It was a nice peaceful off season. Why !!!

 

LOL! Beating Stetson and UNF still has priority over Super Regionals.

 

if the season started today, the weekend starting pitchers would be:

Peterson, Clemente and Coppola?