Florida baseball is 11 days away from their first pitch of the 2023 season. The Gators kick things off against Charleston Southern on February 17th, the first of a three-game series.
Gator Country continues our position group breakdown, providing analysis and insight for each player at every position.
This is part two of Florida’s right-handed pitchers.
BRANDON SPROAT / RHP / #8
The Pace, Florida native put together an impressive 2022 campaign, posting a 3.41 ERA, .251 batting average against, and 82 strikeouts across 89 ⅔ innings pitched (team high).
Sproat had to take over the Friday night role when LHP Hunter Barco was sidelined for the season with an injury. In his last six starts, Sproat went 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA and .218 batting average against.
Sproat’s elite close to the 2022 season landed him in the 3rd round of the MLB Draft (90th pick) before he failed to reach an agreement with the New York Mets, bringing him back to Gainesville for another year.
The 6-5, 215-pound junior enters 2023 as the No. 78 overall prospect (MLB Pipeline) and No. 31 NCAA prospect (D1Baseball).
Sproat will once again find himself pitching on Fridays or Saturdays for the Gators.
ANTHONY URSITTI / RHP / #50
Ursitti found plenty of work as a true freshman, making 15 appearances including one start and posting a 5.06 ERA, 26 strikeouts, and 8 walks in 21 1/3 innings of work.
The 6-4, 215-pound right hander held opposing hitters to a .235 batting average.
Ursitti’s problem was the long ball as he gave up six home runs to opposing batters in 2022.
The Fort Myers native will likely find himself in the bullpen for the Gators in 2023.
JAKE CLEMENTE / RHP / #20
The 6-3, 225-pound Coral Springs native went 11-2 with a 1.21 ERA, .129 BAA and 106 strikeouts across 75 innings (12.7 K/9) during his junior and senior seasons at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
As a senior, Clemente pitched to a 10-0 record with a 1.10 ERA and one complete-game performance.
His impressive high school career earned Clemente two-time All-Conference, All-Section, All-City and All-Area (2021-22).
Clemente excelled in the batter’s box as well, hitting a combined .311/.380/.592 with nine homers, one triple, 18 doubles, 56 runs, 46 RBI in 60 games from 2021-22. He also posted a 1.000 fielding percentage and was a perfect 13-13 in stolen base attempts in his prep career.
Clemente ranked by Perfect game as the No. 27 RHP and No. 102 overall player nationally in addition to being the No. 5 RHP and No. 21 player in Florida.
I expect Clemente to get some early work in his freshman campaign.
CLETE HARTZOG / RHP / #26
The community college transfer competed at Wallace Community College-Dothan from 2019-2022.
The 6-0, 175-pound pitcher worked to a 10-3 record with a 4.50 ERA and 98 strikeouts across 74 frames in 2022, earning him 2022 ACCC South Division Pitcher of the Year.
Hartzog’s ability to make batters miss makes him an intriguing player for the Gators in 2023. The hard throwing right hander has already seen action in the Orange and Blue, appearing in both of Florida’s fall exhibition games against Georgia and Stetson, striking out three batters over 1 ⅔ innings of relief.
YOEL TEJADA JR. / RHP / #17
The Davie, Florida native was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round of the 2022 MLB Draft before deciding to start his collegiate career in Gainesville. Tejada would have been selected much earlier if he had shown any real interest in forgoing college and entering the MLB.
The 6-8, 215-pound two-way player ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 3 outfielder and No. 12 recruit in Florida on top of being the No. 13 outfielder and No. 52 overall player nationally.
Tejada went 15-0 on the mound with 1.40 ERA and 145 career strikeouts at North Broward Prep. As a senior, Tejada pitched to an 8-0 record, 1.82 ERA, .178 BAA and 90 strikeouts in 61 2/3 frames, translating to a 13.1 K/9.
Florida may be considered lucky to have got the 2022 All-American and All-State honoree on campus. Tejada is talented enough to be an immediate contributor in some capacity, whether it’s on the mound or at 1st base.
HURTSON WALDREP / RHP/ #12
The Southern Miss transfer pitched to a 7-2 record with a 3.22 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 28 career appearances spanning 106 1/3 innings for the Eagles.
Waldrep went 6-2 with a 3.20 ERA, .213 BAA and 140 strikeouts in 90 frames last season, translating to a 14.0 K/9.
The 6-2, 210-pound third year pitcher ranks as the No. 14 NCAA prospect in the MLB Draft, according to D1Baseball.
The 2022 Third Team All American enters the 2023 season as Florida’s ace and likely Friday night starter.