Austin Langworthy realized a lifelong dream on Wednesday, signing a professional baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers.
Growing up just down the road from the University of Florida, Langworthy dreamed of playing baseball for the Gators. He was selected in the 31st round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2016 MLB Draft, but nothing was going to keep Langworthy from putting on Orange and Blue.
As a freshman, he was thrust into a starting role almost immediately, before breaking his hamate bone and missing a month. He still started 53 games as a freshman, hitting four home runs, including one in Omaha, as he helped the Gators win the 2017 National Championship.
His sophomore season was highlighted by a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th of an elimination game to send the Gators back to the College World Series in 2018.
Langworthy’s senior season was shortened just 17 games in. In an interview with Gator Country that he had spoken with Kevin O’Sullivan and would have been welcomed back in 2021. The NCAA ruled that, due to the cancellation of the 2020 season because of coronavirus, that all seniors could return to school for an additional year of eligibility and not count against the scholarship cap. Langworthy, 23, chose to go professional. Sources told Gator Country that he will sign for $20,000 — the max that undrafted free agents can sign for this year.