Josh Adams has been a picture of consistency over his first two seasons as a Gator. His statistics have been almost identical against opposing pitching, but he’s just happy he doesn’t have to face the Florida pitching staff during the regular season.
“I probably won’t even have to play defense this season,” Adams joked about how good the Florida pitching staff is. “Our pitchers are unreal right now. A lot of the freshmen are throwing well too.”
That’s high praise from last year’s first-team All-Southeastern Conference second baseman. The core of the Florida pitching staff comes from the sophomore class. Sophomores Anthony DeSclafani (6-3, 4.98 ERA), Nick Maronde (3-1, 4.40 ERA) and Alex Panteliodis (6-5, 4.38 ERA) were three of the top four pitchers in innings last season. They now have a full offseason of working out and adding weight under their belt.
The goal was for them to be more equipped to handle the trials of a long season. DeSclafani added 12 pounds and Panteliodis looks to be throwing harder than last year. Maronde is expected to move into the closer’s role where he could give the Gators a dominant pitcher at the end of games.
The Gators will also get redshirt sophomore Tommy Toledo back after he missed last season because of surgery on a torn labrum. Toledo is projected to be the Friday night starting pitcher.
“They really didn’t need much improvement, just experience,” Adams said. “They’re making those real well. They’re making the little adjustments to get better. For some guys, it was get stronger in the weight room.”
The only thing that hasn’t been consistent in his game during college has been the position Adams plays. He started his freshman year in center field before playing other positions in the outfield. Last season, Adams played every position on the infield. The only positions he hasn’t played as a Gator are pitcher and catcher, and there was some thought about moving him behind the plate last offseason.
Adams almost feels uncomfortable because he doesn’t have to work at multiple positions during practice. It will also give him the ability to focus more on his hitting than getting extra defensive reps at other positions.
“I’ve been practicing there since last summer,” Adams said. “It’s nice to have just one home and take ground balls at one spot. It lets me focus on other things, like leading the team, instead of being at third one game and then at second the next.”
After hitting .330 with eight home runs and 51 RBI as a freshman, Adams followed it up by hitting .342 with eight home runs and 52 RBI. The only weakness in his game came in strikeouts, as he has led the team in that category each of the last two seasons. Also playing into that is the fact that he has played almost every game in that time frame.
Adams thinks he will hit second in the lineup this season. That will put him in front of the power hitters in the middle of the order, so he knows what his role will be.
“Get on base so Tuck (Preston Tucker) and Austin (Maddox) can hit me in,” Adams said. “That’s where I’ve been all fall and in the spring. I’ll probably end up there to give Tucker some protection and get Austin some more fastballs so he can hit them over the scoreboard.”
The left side of the infield for the Gators will be new this year. That would create uncertainty for most teams, but not in Gainesville. Bryson Smith, the reigning National JUCO Player of the Year, will take over at third base. Freshman Nolan Fontana will take over at shortstop. He played shortstop for the 18-and-under Team USA and has plenty experience on the big stage.
“Nolan is a great shortstop,” Adams said. “Bryson is a great fielder, and he has worked hard at it, taking ground balls every day since he has been out here. They’ll be fine. A ground ball is a ground ball. They’re stay in front of it and eat it in the mouth if they have to.”
Fontana could also fit in as the team’s leadoff hitter. Avery Barnes solidified the team in that role for the past few years, but his graduation leaves a hole there. While Fontana was playing shortstop for Team USA last summer, he also hit in the leadoff spot, batting .357 and leading the team in walks (nine). His hitting style fits perfect into the scrappy leadoff hitter the Gators are looking for.
“I definitely could see that,” Adams said. “It’s either him or (Matt) den Dekker. He is a scrappy hitter who gets in there and fouls pitches off, then somehow get a base hit through the six-hole.”
With eight home runs over the past two years, Adams would also like to get double digits this season. He has worked in the weight room to add muscle, but also to get his body prepared for the demands of a long season.
“I’ve been in the weight room changing my body around a little bit to handle a season,” Adams said. “It’s about staying consistent.”
That’s all Josh Adams has ever done for the Gators.