Perhaps the most intriguing battle for playing time will come at the catcher position as Florida has one of the more talented group of backstops in the SEC.
BT RIOPELLE / SENIOR / #15
The Coastal Carolina transfer spent three seasons with the Chanticleers before joining the Gators in 2022.
Riopelle had his first breakout season of his four-year collegiate career, slashing .304/.371/.551 with 25 extra-base hits, 38 runs and six stolen bases.
The 6-0, 215-pound lefty led all SEC catchers in home runs (15), RBI (55) and slugging percentage (.551). The savvy veteran finds ways to get on base, working 21 walks in 2022, leading to an on base percentage of .371.
Riopelle earned a first-team All-SEC catcher selection and a 2022 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Semifinalist bid.
Riopelle posted a .992 fielding percentage across 499 defensive
chances in 2022.
I was surprised to see Riopelle back for another season in Gainesville given his age (23) and terrific season at the plate. Riopelle (undrafted) may be wanting to prove to MLB scouts that he’s improved defensively, as it’s more difficult to get drafted in the early rounds if it’s clear you are only suitable for a DH role at the next level.
Riopelle threw out just 6 runners on 23 stolen base attempts a year ago. With the speed in the SEC, that’s not going to work out too well. Whether it’s at catcher, 1st base, or DH, there’s no doubt that Riopelle will see his name in the lineup nearly every game; his bat is just too good to take out of the lineup.
However, Coach Sullivan may need to turn to better defensive options behind the plate in 2023.
RENE LASTRES / SOPHMORE / #16
The 6-3, 220-pound catcher impressed in limited at bats in 2022, slashing .333/.333/.533 with one home run, four RBI’s and three
runs scored across 15 at bats.
Lastres played in nine games while making two starts behind the plate, finishing with a .950 fielding percentage across 20 defensive chances. Lastres failed to throw out the only runner that attempted a steal on him in 2022.
The Calvary Christian Academy product ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 31 overall player in the country, including the No. 5 player and top-ranked catcher in the state of Florida.
Lastres could have the most power on the Florida Gators’ roster, but the catcher room is crowded, making his role not guaranteed entering the 2023 season. Coach Sullivan has been working Lastres in at third base and first base during the summer and fall, as he obviously recognizes that Florida has three really good options at catcher, and he may have to find somewhere else to put them to keep their bats in the lineup.
LUKE HEYMAN / FRESHMAN / #28
The 6-4, 210 pounder is likely Florida’s best option at catcher defensively. Heyman produced a .985 career fielding percentage in 329 total chances behind the plate and is known for his cannon of an arm. His ability to throw out runners attempting to steal could influence Coach Sullivan to get Heyman on the field early in his Florida career.
Heyman slashed .403/.531/.655 with five homers, one triple, 13 doubles and 52 RBI across 48 games from 2021-22.
As most catchers do, Heyman has a good eye at the plate, walking more times (32) than he struck out (19) during that span.
The Lake Brantley product ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 6 catcher and No. 50 player nationally while holding status as Florida’s No. 10 recruit and No. 2 catcher.
Florida was lucky to get the Perfect Game All-American on campus as he easily could have chosen to go in the early rounds of the MLB draft.
Heyman isn’t known for his power hitting, but he brings a savvy presence to the plate along with an elite defensive prowess which will make the true freshman tough to keep on the bench.
SALVY ALVAREZ / FRESHMAN / #9
The Miami native slashed .526/.586/.711 with two triples, four
doubles, 30 runs scored, 25 RBI’s and 11 stolen bases across
24 games during his senior season at Montverde Academy.
Alvarez ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 7 catcher and No. 61
overall player in Florida while being the No. 24 catcher and
No. 379 player nationally.
The 5-10, 185 pounder marks the fourth and final catcher on Florida’s roster in 2023. The bid for early playing time will be difficult for Alavarez as he comes in as the 2nd highest ranked catcher in the Gators’ 2022 class, joining an already loaded unit.
PREDICTION:
Ultimately, it’s going to come down to who is bringing the best bats to the plate night in and night out.
My prediction is that we will see BT Riopelle primarily at 1st base or DH, while Lastres and Heyman split time at catcher. It’s possible we see all three in the lineup at one time in 2023.