We’re just two days away from Florida baseball. The Gators open the 2026 season with a weekend series against UAB from Friday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 15.
Gator Country gives its best shot at projecting Florida’s 2026 opening day lineup. It’s important to note that Florida’s lineup will likely look very different than Saturday’s and Sunday’s, and that’s a testament to the depth and versatility Florida has at the plate.
1. CF Kyle Jones
After appearing in just four games before suffering a season-ending injury in 2025, outfielder Kyle Jones was granted a medical hardship waiver and returns to Gainesville for his redshirt sophomore season. Jones is your prototypical leadoff hitter: high average, strong contact rate and elite speed.
The 6’3, 190-pound outfielder is also outstanding defensively and should be Florida’s everyday center fielder.
At Stetson in 2024, Jones earned ASUN Freshman of the Year, NCBWA Second Team Freshman All-American, Third Team All-ASUN, NCAA Gold Glove Finalist, and NCAA Tallahassee Regional All-Tournament Team.
2. 3B Brendan Lawson
After hitting .317 with 10 home runs and 61 RBI as a true freshman, infielder Brendan Lawson is primed for a breakout sophomore season. Lawson enters the 2026 season as Florida’s most well-rounded hitter, displaying raw power, elite plate discipline and the ability to hit for average.
It remains unclear where Lawson will line up defensively. He’s spent time at third base, first base and shortstop this offseason, with most of his recent reps coming at short. Ultimately, his position could depend on how Columbia middle-infield transfer Sam Miller adjusts to SEC pitching at the plate.
For now, I expect Lawson to settle in on the left side of the infield. Regardless of where he plays, Lawson’s bat will be in the lineup every day at the top of Florida’s batting order.
3. 1B Ethan Surowiec
Florida’s most prolific power hitter, Ethan Surowiec, will be a household name in due time. The 6’1, 235-pound corner infielder brings 25+ home run power to Gainesville, a much-needed addition in the offseason.
Surowiec had one of the best offseasons in the country, hitting .387 with 17 home runs for the Duluth Huskies, earning Northwoods league MVP for his efforts. That success has carried over to Gainesville, where Surowiec has established himself as one of the best hitters on the team. The Louisiana native can hit for power to all sides of the field should serve as a spark plug in the middle of Florida’s batting order.
He’s not all power either. While his swing and miss might have been a concern early on, he hasn’t stuck out at a high rate since leaving Ole Miss.
4. 2B Cade Kurland
Redshirt junior Cade Kurland has battled injuries over the past two seasons. In 2024, he played through a broken hand, and in 2025, he appeared in just 14 games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. After a healthy fall, Kurland was limited at the start of spring camp by a sore oblique.
Florida has given Kurland extra reps at the plate in intrasquad scrimmages, and he seems to have caught up to speed quickly.
On Tuesday, Kurland told me he’s ready to go for Friday night’s opener.
Kurland is a leader in the locker room and a force at the plate when healthy, showcasing the ability to spray the ball gap to gap.
5. DH Landon Stripling
Junior infielder Landon Stripling is a player to watch this season as a potential breakout candidate. He delivered one of the most consistent offseasons in the program, stringing together solid at-bats one after another, a trait that head coach Kevin O’Sullivan admires.
Stripling’s power is starting to come around, which is why I see him hitting in the middle of Florida’s order.
The 6’0, 200-pound lefty swinger slashed .264/.397/.368 for a .765 OPS across 125 at bats last season.
Given Florida’s incredible depth, I expect Caden McDonald and Landon Stripling to platoon at the DH spot, particularly early in the season. Each can play first base, and McDonald will see time on the mound.
6. C Karson Bowen
Florida’s catcher room is three deep, but the nod goes to veteran TCU transfer Karson Bowen. He’s the roster’s top defensive backstop and has been swinging it well recently.
Bowen was limited during fall camp but is now fully healthy, according to Kevin O’Sullivan.
While not a power hitter, Bowen owns a career .308 batting average over 559 at-bats and posted career highs last season in slugging (.516) and on-base percentage (.425).
The 5’11”, 235-pound catcher doesn’t strike out much, hits for a high average, and consistently gets on base.
7. LF Blake Cyr
Blake Cyr struggled at the plate last year, slashing .254/.358/.429 for a .787 OPS across 205 at-bats. Still, his power upside is clear, and last season’s nine home runs don’t tell the full story, especially considering his 17-home run freshman campaign at Miami.
Defense remains a concern, though Cyr possesses a cannon of an arm and can play left or right field, or serve as the DH. He’s even been working at first base, and he also brings infield experience from his time at Miami.
Cyr has a tendency to get red hot at the plate, but consistency was an issue last season. If he can find that consistency in his senior year, he’ll be tough to take out of the lineup. That said, hungry freshman outfielders Cash Strayer and Jacob Kendall will be competing hard for playing time.
8. SS Sam Miller
Columbia transfer Sam Miller is looking to lock down the shortstop role early in the season. While he may not be the rangiest defender, Miller is fundamentally sound with a smooth glove and high baseball IQ.
The senior was 2025 Ivy League Player of the Year after hitting .338/.407/.606 with 16 homers, 10 doubles, 57 RBI and 50 runs scored. If Miller can hold his own against SEC pitching, which he has to this point, he’s Florida’s everyday shortstop.
9. RF Hayden Yost
Yost finds himself in a similar situation as Cyr, with both trying to secure corner outfield spots while a pair of talented freshmen loom behind them. Last season, Yost hit .259/.380/.392 with a .772 OPS over 189 at-bats.
The 6’1, 200-pound outfielder has experience across all three outfield positions and combines advanced defensive skills with good speed, making him a versatile asset for the lineup.