It’s officially game week as the Florida Gators will start their 2024 season on February 16th, the first of a three-game series against St John’s. Gator Country continues our preseason coverage by breaking down each position group on Florida’s roster.
SECOND BASE
Florida has primarily worked returning starter Cade Kurland and freshman Sammy Mummau at second base during preseason.
Cade Kurland
Named a Freshman All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1 Baseball, and Perfect Game, Kurland slashed .297/.404/.555 in his first season at the collegiate level after graduating Berkeley Prep a year early. The Tampa, Florida native launched more home runs (17) than any UF second baseman in a single season in team history while ranking second all-time in homers among Gator freshman (JJ Schwarz, 18). Kurland also added 17 doubles, 75 runs, 50 RBI, and four stolen bases in 2023.
Kurland was highly touted entering the 2023 season but wasn’t on Florida’s opening day roster against Charleson Southern. The 5’11, 195 pounder would go on to start 67 of Florida’s 71 games a season ago, quickly establishing himself as one of the better players in Florida’s lineup. You can expect a similar workload this season as Kurland projects as a top of the lineup batter and starting second baseman without anyone pressing him for significant playing time.
Kurland is fairly average defensively, posting a .960 fielding percentage across 199 chances in 2023. While is glove is a plus, his awkward side arm tosses caused him several throwing errors last season.
Sammy Mummau
The true freshman Palm Habor, Florida native batted .383/.482/.606 with two home runs, three triples, nine doubles, 27 runs, 20 RBI and nine stolen bases during his senior season at Dunedin High School. Mummau drew more walks (22) than he struck out (16).
Mummau also posted a 2.10 ERA across 13.1 frames in his junior season at Palm Harbor University High School. He is not expected to pitch throughout his time at Florida.
The 6’0, 185-pound infielder ranked as the No.43 player and No.10 middle infielder in Florida on top of being the No.312 overall recruit nationally, per Perfect game. Mummau earned mentions on 13 various tournament teams at PG events from 2019-2022.
While Mummau has held his own at the plate, his defensive ability is what is standing out in preseason practices and scrimmages. His ability to cover ground while possessing above average arm strength makes him a candidate for either middle infielder position. Mummau doesn’t have quite the speed or glove that Armando Albert has, which is why Florida’s staff has him backing up Kurland and not Shelton at shortstop.
INSIDER TAKE
Second base is not a concern for the Florida Gators entering the 2024 season as Kurland will look to build off his monstrous freshman campaign. If Kurland were to miss time for whatever reason, the Gators’ roster is versatile enough to find a quality replacement without having to dip into the freshman class. Although projected as the starting third baseman, Dale Thomas has experience at second base while third base is one of the deeper position groups on the roster.