Gator Country continues our Florida baseball position group breakdown.
3RD BASE
COLBY HALTER / JUNIOR / #5
The Jacksonville native tore onto the scene in Gainesville, slashing .302/.379/.453 with three home runs, 11 doubles, two triples, and 32 RBIs across 44 starts in his freshman campaign.
Halter went through a “sophomore slump” in year two, slashing .240/.338/.380 with a career-high eight home runs, 11 doubles, 44 runs, 27 RBI and seven stolen bases across 65 starts.
The Bishop Kenny High School product has seen time at both middle infield positions at Florida, but the 6-1, 205-pound infielder seems to be most comfortable at 3rd base.
Halter delivered a .964 fielding percentage across 248 chances at second base, third base and shortstop.
Halter impressed in summer league ball, slashing .307/.407/.507 with seven home runs, 19 RBI’s and 12 stolen bases for the Falmouth Commodores, earning a 2022 Cape Cod League All-Star selection in the process.
Halter built off his successful summer with impressive fall and spring seasons. I expect the sure-handed infielder to hold down the 3rd base position and hit for a high average in 2023.
DERIC FABIAN / SOPHOMORE / #23
The Ocala native played in 46 games as a true freshman including 43 starts in the Gators infield. Fabian slashed .218/.323/.331 with four home runs, four doubles, 25 runs, 22 RBI and four stolen bases.
Fabian’s struggles came against SEC pitching as his batting average sat well below the Mendoza line, hitting just .162% in league play.
Coach Kevin O’Sullivan said that Fabian is leading the team in hitting this offseason with a .429 batting average.
“He’s been as good as anyone we’ve had so far this spring,” Sullivan said during the first media day of preseason.
I have Fabian listed as a 3rd baseman, but coach Sullivan reminds us time and time again that Fabian can play all four infield positions.
“He can do multiple things defensively for us, but he’s been swinging the bat really good,” Sullivan said.
Fabian finished with a .931 fielding percentage across 87 defensive chances in 2022.
I envision the 6-3, 190 pounder used as a platoon for multiple infield positions, thus resulting in plenty of playing time for the true sophomore. However, if Fabian has truly taken a leap and is one of the best nine bats on the roster, coach Sullivan will find a spot for him night in and night out.
PROJECTION
Although I only listed two players at the 3rd base position, Florida doesn’t lack the depth needed at the hot corner. There are a pair of talented transfers in Tyler Shelnut and Dale Thomas that have experience at 3rd base, but with Halter essentially having the position on lock, I expect their services to be used elsewhere along the infield.
Coach Sullivan has also been working catcher Rene Lastres at 3rd base during scrimmages.
I expect Colby Halter to start the majority of games at 3rd base, with Fabian, Shelnut, and Thomas supplementing when needed.