CORAL GABLES, Fla. – No. 14 Florida visits No. 22 Miami for a three-game road series between two top-25 rivals this weekend.
Games one and two of the series will stream live on ACC Network Extra at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The series finale airs on ACC Network at 12 p.m. on Sunday.
These two programs have met 261 times dating back to 1940, with the Hurricanes (7-1) owning a slight advantage in the series at 132-128-1. Florida (8-2) is 77-50-1 vs. Miami in Gainesville, but 49-80 against the Canes on the road. The in-state rivals last faced off on opening weekend last year, with the Canes taking two of three from the Gators in the grand opening of Florida Ballpark.
Prior to 2021, Florida won six-straight series vs. Miami dating back to 2015. Entering this weekend, the Gators have won 10 of the last-12 series vs. the Canes (10-1-1 in series). Florida has won six of the last-eight meetings and the Gators are 35-15 vs. Miami under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1445&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=PNndH10CQ3ALdrBJwHSndmPgGdHaO8uxP-d9xrK6_qc&e= >.
Pitching Matchups
Friday | 7 p.m. (ACCNX) Saturday | 7 p.m. (ACCNX) Sunday | 12 p.m. (ACCN)
Florida LHP Hunter Barco<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15091&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=S9G3usi-syvrnOIr-2OBEm1CkaVhGtXhjypUIMKuJZY&e= > RHP Brandon Sproat<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15106&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=-RiINmOGStPR049_spm4UQpGWgjEphDwD39HuJ268rE&e= > TBD
Miami LHP Carson Palmquist RHP Karson Ligon RHP Jake Garland
Links WATCH<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3Da5a0f36f-2D73be-2D4f8b-2D97b2-2Dd898477f6a5b&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=tNkVLwqYeg3YsUrpm9tFuYJy7CpMwIjiAMde49kSdpM&e= > | LISTEN<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_watch_-3FLive-3D3756&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=sgHLmHZcspL_bpx9Xbv0WdTay9JC5AkKD_BVfRZC_tk&e= > WATCH<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3Df7285770-2D650e-2D42b1-2D93e6-2De10e28495f03&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=iuIexjACItWQKBNDk43JRxUX84dyK3KCSIMPhBvaM-8&e= > | LISTEN<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_watch_-3FLive-3D3765&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=oRTtdqYp4BPHoS9kJ85te-9vQ3TeFlFbht-OfnSDZ2Y&e= > WATCH<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3D3f13b784-2Df04b-2D48a8-2D97bf-2D8673f64be77f&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=w8fhxt1gOgFV8yrw7YjURbHgR0ewy74G8s7TL8L0Ag0&e= > | LISTEN<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_watch_-3FLive-3D3768&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=grThNRAYqaiF3chIfGYfeJ2yD_bS1GsmnFy6aW-r2fA&e= >
Entering week three of the season, Florida is ranked inside the top-18 by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and USA Today, peaking at No. 14 in the D1Baseball Top-25 Rankings.
LAST TIME OUT
Florida enters the series riding a seven-game winning streak. The Gators went 5-0 last week, defeating Stetson (W, 8-1) and UNF (W, 3-1) before sweeping Georgia State across a three-game series at Florida Ballpark (W, 4-1 / W, 13-4 / W, 12-1). Florida then picked up midweek wins at North Florida (W, 11-2) and vs. Florida A&M this past week (W, 17-0).
SCOUTING THE CANES
Miami is off to a 7-1 start to the season, with the lone loss coming on Feb. 25 against Harvard (L, 6-11). After playing to the tune of a 33-21 (20-15 ACC) record last season, the Canes were picked to finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division.
15 YEARS OF SULLY
2022 represents O’Sullivan’s 15th season as the head coach at Florida. During that time, O’Sullivan owns a 593-280 (.679) record, passing the legendary Dave Fuller (556-354-6) for the most wins in program history on March 9, 2021. O’Sullivan’s .679 winning percentage ranks third among all active Division I head coaches, while Florida’s .622 clip in SEC play since 2008 stands as the top mark in the conference.
HOT BATS
Through the first-three games of 2022, Florida was hitting .186 and entered last weekend’s series vs. Georgia State with a .232 batting average. Just one week and five games later, the Gators are batting .319 and have scored 10-plus runs in four-straight games for the first time since 2015. Opponents have used 29 pitchers vs. Florida over the last-four games, during which the Gators have batted .419 (67-for-160) while scoring 53 runs. Florida now ranks third nationally with 114 hits and 20th with 82 runs.
LEAVING THE YARD
Florida ranks second in the nation with 24 home runs and 12th in the country with a .577 slugging percentage.
AMERICA’s ACE
Following a stellar showing on opening night, left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15091&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=S9G3usi-syvrnOIr-2OBEm1CkaVhGtXhjypUIMKuJZY&e= > was again brilliant in his second start, allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk with a career-high 12 strikeouts in 6.0 IP to earn the victory. Barco ranks tied-for-third nationally with 23 strikeouts, boasting 17.3 strikeouts per nine innings and an 11.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His ERA sits at 0.75 through two games started.
SPROAT SHINES
Making his first start of 2022 vs. North Florida, right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15106&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=-RiINmOGStPR049_spm4UQpGWgjEphDwD39HuJ268rE&e= > set career highs with 5.0 IP and eight strikeouts while allowing one earned run to pick up the win. He surrendered just four hits and one walk. On March 1 of this past week, Sproat threw 2.0 scoreless innings in a start at North Florida.
HALTER EARNS SEC, NATIONAL HONORS
After Barco collected his share of honors last week, infielder Colby Halter<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15096&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=Ux4Ede_lRKBtyU6oPPfi2STXvocS–z6S1l8SHDFPDs&e= > was named the SEC Co-Player of the Week in addition to earning mention as one of Collegiate Baseball’s National Players of the Week on Feb. 28. Starting all five games last week, Halter paced the SEC with 12 hits and batted .545/.583/1.045 with three home runs, two doubles, nine runs, six RBI and one stolen base. Most impressively, the left-handed hitting Halter is batting .588 (10-for-17) vs. southpaws this season and ranks fourth nationally with 18 hits. Halter has already launched a career-high four home runs.
FRESHMAN FLIES
Entering the series, a Florida freshman has hit his first-career homer in four-straight games: Corey Robinson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15110&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=Ey9YjX4TnbTlfOeEGN110UvPJqmTvURZiX_XmQvy80Y&e= > (March 2 vs. Florida A&M), Deric Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15119&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=pOM2Gzoq0qqLMQ4sxwBatlTZkPfpdxi-ctKrEW7CKAw&e= > (March 1 at North Florida), Ty Evans<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15111&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=b7dDMzBQ0urcvINEIbeYUjlD4b6bV9fT4oWnkj2yjIw&e= > (Feb. 27 vs. Georgia State) and Rene Lastres<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15115&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=kFR09_cHPBv37SLuYY8zt_ej53_Rt174V2POhaUXshU&e= > (Feb. 26 at Georgia State).
HISTORIC MIDWEEK DUB
Florida is coming off a historic 17-0 win over Florida A&M on Wednesday, in which the program recorded its largest shutout of an opponent since April 9, 2011 vs. Mississippi State (W, 18-0) while hitting more home runs (six) than in any other contest since April 7, 2015 vs. Stetson (seven). It also marked Florida’s largest margin of victory since March 3, 2019 vs. Winthrop (W, 28-5), most hits since April 23, 2019 vs. Florida Atlantic (21) and most runs dating back to Feb. 27, 2021 vs. Samford (W, 18-2).
HERE COMES THE JUD
2021 Third Team All-American outfielder Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15127&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=XBOFR4tlYU00-pnNbUg8mk8cJls_ABJzCx8Hn9530dU&e= > got off to a slow start to the season, but is hitting .429/.500/.857 with three home runs and six RBI over Florida’s last-five games. Fabian recorded his sixth-career multi-homer game on March 2 vs. Florida A&M to bring his career total to 35 homers, which ranks 10th all-time at Florida.
ALL-NATIONAL DEFENSE
With just five errors in 370 defensive chances, the Florida defense ranks 16th nationally with a .986 fielding percentage.
STERLIN SLAMS
After an All-SEC Freshman Team 2021 season, outfielder Sterlin Thompson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15108&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=NClos2vP6s5jc1Qa50CgsGo0bn8ZXfJK0qyprjwZnsI&e= > is batting .425/.467/.850 with a team-high five home runs (T-6 nationally) and 13 RBI. Thompson is hitting .450 over Florida’s last-five games and ranks tied-for-sixth nationally with 17 hits.
PIECE OF BLAKE
Making his first-five career appearances, right-handed pitcher Blake Purnell<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15103&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=XqMG99qjCCEC20kAQyQrlJAqcdbpyAdv3dHXJauRYzI&e= > has pitched 8.1 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and zero walks to open the campaign.
TAKE A FIC
After being out for all of 2021, right-handed reliever Nick Ficarrotta<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15094&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=9MWuELEZy3HCNqvCElwpnh-tmCAT_MyLkFcfMOb8RPI&e= > has appeared in five of 10 games to open the year with a 2-0 record, one save, a 1.64 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 11.0 innings pitched. He fired a career-high 4.2 scoreless frames on one hit and one walk with a career-high six strikeouts to earn the win at Stetson on Feb. 22. He later tossed 3.0 perfect innings vs. Georgia State on Feb. 25 to earn the win.
A VETERAN CORE
The Orange & Blue welcome back six positional starters from last year’s squad: Fabian, first baseman/designated hitter Kris Armstrong<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15090&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=BRTg2E-OlV1BkGLIp1ykKEMPYMKfERAWPI5az1DD9mQ&e= >, first baseman/outfielder Kendrick Calilao<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15092&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=Fy2T2Tj72bf-ARF4IDzvLJfRKJ8JcqjuQpHjB7SrRhs&e= >, second baseman Colby Halter<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15096&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=Ux4Ede_lRKBtyU6oPPfi2STXvocS–z6S1l8SHDFPDs&e= >, shortstop Josh Rivera<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15104&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=hk9eji3if39aC7SF6AmpElhFtKJ4km4rrvdbFKP4SNY&e= > and Thompson. Florida’s veteran positional group aims to offset a young albeit talented Florida pitching staff anchored by Barco, who paced the team with 16 starts and 10 wins one year ago.
KEY LOSSES
20 letterwinners departed from last year’s NCAA Regional team including 13 pitchers. As a result, 387.2 of the 529 innings thrown by Florida pitchers last season came from players no longer on the roster, as just four of 16 Gators who saw mound work in 2021 are back in Orange & Blue. Among Florida’s key departures were right-handed pitchers Franco Aleman<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14238&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=8RKNwXYMlGdl7mfF0LyeupIY2lQX1dMh1opO5noVYLM&e= >, Jack Leftwich<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14221&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=35KLxR3RhjfXOtBdRkCqD1Gz_pMNUX9ymPJRYMsJ9ac&e= >, Tommy Mace<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14223&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=V4Xzgprlk3vbwFTPWpUvFUZcAs_3A-26dr-xxL8EQHo&e= >, Christian Scott<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14231&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=6EGGfH5p1QcfNGTou99NctCr0XoRaY1WyUjAALvUGMI&e= > and Trey Van Der Weide<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14235&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=dQ2XEwCSAcULQau3KlBxWagQzCr46nkKbqzSjntSaTU&e= >. The Gators also lost a moderate amount of talent on the positional side due to the fairwells of catcher Nathan Hickey<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14220&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=19uMnAyGNgdvTeXSHZNIef4NZrfWmorx-Y6WaHQPDjM&e= >, infielder Kirby McMullen<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14224&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=Ny-xEWjtrQq2x5XOZiVqKYaPr8q_6YRs36dJYGASsTc&e= > and outfielder Jacob Young<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14236&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=VU6I6w9BrBw6PS-unxruVLFt1qy8qQfYzHOYA6wgxnw&e= >.
NEW BLOOD
The 2022 Florida Gators roster features a hybrid of experience mixed with young talent, as the team returns 19 letterwinners while welcoming in 17 newcomers. Despite having each of its top-three ranked signees ink Major League Baseball contracts last summer, the Gators still managed to recruit an impressive collection of sixteen freshmen and one transfer to finish as the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class according to Perfect Game (No. 2 at D1Baseball, Baseball America).
IMPACT FRESHMEN
Eight Gators were tabbed by D1Baseball as top-50 impact freshmen for the upcoming season: Coppola (No. 3), left-handed pitcher Philip Abner<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15126&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=1VWJjdnP-XHWHF_rax9-wR3SdBFyflhjiWJiLuEP0tQ&e= > (No. 7), infielder Deric Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15119&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=pOM2Gzoq0qqLMQ4sxwBatlTZkPfpdxi-ctKrEW7CKAw&e= > (No. 14), outfielder Michael Robertson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15112&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=yXqOGYKMCJ3QRoZTuUY9sPVDrOaXDUvo6MNPOem0xUM&e= > (No. 15), right-handed pitcher Karl Hartman<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15121&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=kXRX1OQm6uCulzdWxXn8aoQyUjv3G7azWtbk9JQnCFs&e= > (No. 20), catcher Rene Lastres<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15115&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=kFR09_cHPBv37SLuYY8zt_ej53_Rt174V2POhaUXshU&e= > (No. 29), right-handed pitcher Brandon Neely<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15118&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=WI6eDJL6AVFXFmVC4PcMERCun-N4mZA4o7rjMG12y3w&e= > (No. 33) and outfielder Ty Evans<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15111&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=b7dDMzBQ0urcvINEIbeYUjlD4b6bV9fT4oWnkj2yjIw&e= > (No. 48).
SOPHOMORE BREAKOUTS
Second-year players Mac Guscette<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15095&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=6U2tj8u_YFZaL8rtsvK7WIZIJgPyD9aEFGzrdpC9dc8&e= >, Halter and Thompson enter 2022 primed for breakout seasons after impressing as freshmen one year ago. Both Halter and Thompson managed to bat above .300 in their debut campaigns across 150-plus at bats, finishing the year at .302 and .301, respectively. As Florida’s starting catcher down the stretch, Guscette batted .298 while exhibiting impressive skills on the defensive end. Outfielder/catcher Wyatt Langford<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15097&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=xw3v17Ak2zPHhtYMSz9vZuomplpyQ-vNIuKn3NfTn9c&e= > has also made strides over the past calendar year and figures to receive significant playing time in left field early on.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES APPLENTY
Numerous Gators garnered recognition leading up to the 2022 season, beginning with a trio of preseason All-Americans in Barco (first team), Fabian (first team) and Thompson (third team). In particular, Barco received a consensus preseason All-America distinction, earning honors from every major publication. Barco and Fabian also received Preseason All-SEC First Team nods.
POSITIONAL STANDOUTS
A handful of Gators were ranked by D1Baseball as top players in the nation at their respective positions heading into the season: Barco (No. 7 starting pitcher), Halter (No. 9 second baseman), Fabian (No. 10 outfielder), Rivera (No. 16 shortstop), Guscette (No. 19 catcher), Thompson (No. 20 outfielder), Abner (No. 28 relief pitcher), Armstrong (No. 41 first baseman), Coppola (No. 65 starting pitcher), Sproat (No. 101 starting pitcher) and right-handed pitcher Nick Pogue<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15102&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=76eRiJkjVdkESOS3qOgCY3FtUorXoboGKMXOYr7Qis-JyerQkt9sxaCuPPM71mi5&s=QS39fxg5oXXQGIPZsM7IN6Lq_b-cA8XdoMVil5JeiaU&e= > (No. 104 starting pitcher).
DRAFT BUZZ
After being selected 40th overall in last year’s draft, Fabian is again projected as Florida’s top prospect by MLB Pipeline, coming in as the No. 45 overall prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft. Barco follows closely behind at No. 54, while Thompson (No. 90) and Sproat (No. 98) fell just inside the top 100. The Gators’ middle infield duo of Halter and Rivera recently received draft buzz as well, with D1baseball ranking the former as the No. 60 college prospect and the latter sitting at No. 78. All six of the aforementioned players were ranked as top-30 prospects in the SEC by D1Baseball, in addition to Pogue, who was tabbed the conference’s No. 50 prospect.
