True freshman Cade Kurland set UF’s single-season home run record for a second baseman following his 14th long ball of the season on Friday night against Texas A&M.
Kurland, who turned 19 on Florida’s Opening Day (Feb 17), graduated Berkely Prep a year early to join the Gators baseball team for 2023 season.
While Kurland didn’t crack Florida’s starting lineup on Opening Day, the Tampa native got his chance in the second game of the season, and he delivered. Kurland reached base three times in his Gators debut, totaling two hits, one double, three runs, and one RBI. It became clear very quickly that Kurland was going to be a regular name in Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s starting nine.
Kurland has started 43 games this season, posting a batting average of .306 while totaling 14 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 52 runs scored. Kurland is slugging .613 and holds a .398 on base percentage. The second baseman is averaging a home run in every 12.3 at-bats in his freshman campaign.
Kurland has moved around quite a bit in the lineup this season as O’Sullivan is trying to find the perfect lineup with just eight games left in the regular season.
“It doesn’t matter where I am in the lineup, it’s just a matter of going in there and competing pitch by pitch,” Kurland said on his comfortability with the leadoff spot.
For a freshman, Kurland is as level-headed as they come. Throughout the course of the season, Kurland has had plenty of ups and downs, but he continues to bring the same approach night in and night out.
“I just try to show up every day being the same player,” Kurland said. “You can’t get too caught up in the results.”
Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan went on the record earlier this year stating that they wouldn’t have brought Kurland in a year early if they thought he wasn’t ready to contribute.
“He’s probably a little bit more than a spark,” and “Slows down the game. Different than most freshmen,” are ways O’Sullivan has described Kurland this season.
Not only did Kurland set UF’s single-season home run record for a second baseman, but he’s creeping in on the freshman home run record of 18, set by J.J Schwarz back in 2015.
Like most players on the team, Kurland has plenty to work on both at the plate and in the field, but it’s hard not to get excited about the future of Cade Kurland in Gainesville.