Former GATOR Players

I updated the list. Most recently:

den Dekker to the Nationals

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,WESGATORS

 

http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=30572

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Former Gator All-American Preston Tuckerwas called up to the Major Leagues by the Houston Astros on Wednesday night.

He becomes the eighth player in head coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s tenure at Florida to reach professional baseball’s highest level, joining left-hander Kevin Chapman (2007-10, Houston Astros), right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (2009-11, Miami Marlins), outfielder Matt den Dekker (2007-10, New York Mets), infielder Cole Figueroa (2007-08, Tampa Bay Rays), left-hander Nick Maronde (2009-11, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), left-hander Steven Rodriguez (2010-12, Los Angeles Dodgers) and catcher Mike Zunino (2010-12, Seattle Mariners).

Tucker had recently been playing for the Fresno Grizzlies of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, where he was hitting .320 with 32 RBI, 19 runs, 10 homers and three doubles in 25 games. His RBI and home run totals led the minor leagues at the time of his call-up.

Chosen by the Astros in the seventh round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft with the 219th selection, Tucker departed Gainesville as the school’s all-time leader in games played (265), games started (259), total bases (596), at bats (1,035), hits (341), RBI (258) and doubles (70).

He helped the Gators to three consecutive NCAA College World Series appearances (2010-12) and back-to-back SEC Championships (2010-11).

The Tampa native was an All-American in 2011 and 2012 and was a three-time All-SEC selection, earning first-team accolades in 2011 and 2012 after being a second-team pick in 2010.

In '09, Tucker became the first player in school history to earn the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Freshman Hitter of the Year Award and he shared the SEC Freshman of the Year honor with LSU pitcher Matty Ott. He was the Most Outstanding Player of the Gainesville Regional, was a unanimous selection to the league’s All-Freshman Team and was chosen as a Freshman All-American by Baseball America, Louisville Slugger, Rivals and the NCBWA.

In his final season, Tucker powered UF’s offense with a .393 (11-for-28) performance in NCAA play and became the first Gator to achieve Regional All-Tournament status all four years of his career. He is the lone UF player to earn Most Outstanding Player recognition twice (2009 & 2011). In 30 career NCAA Tourney games, Tucker batted .368 (46-for-125) and holds school records in career at bats (125), hits (46), RBI (31), runs (29), homers (11) and doubles (10).

He was selected in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies with the 498th overall pick but decided to return to Florida for his senior season and earned his bachelor’s degree in anthropology.

This quotation from Tucker summed up his decision: “A lot of guys don’t have the opportunity to say that they got a college degree and I always want to have that to my credit. The bottom line is that I can go off and play pro ball next year and this is an opportunity that I really didn't want to pass up. It's playing baseball, it's the game I've always loved to play so in the end I'll still be doing what I love.”

Besides Tucker, there are six other players with UF ties currently in the Big Leagues: DeSclafani (Reds), right-hander Darren O’Day (Baltimore Orioles), outfielder Ryan Raburn (Cleveland Indians), catcher David Ross (Chicago Cubs), Rodriguez (Dodgers) and Zunino (Mariners).


Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS