The On Deck Report

The 2010 edition of Kevin O’Sullivan’s Florida baseball team takes the field Friday against South Florida (6:30 p.m., McKethan Stadium) with the highest expectations since 2005 when the Gators made it to the College World Series finals in Omaha. The 2010 Gators are a consensus top-ten team, brimming with talent and the kind of depth that can take a team deep into the postseason.

Last season, the Gators came within two wins of a trip to Omaha for the College World Series when they lost the Super Regional to Southern Miss, last season’s feel good story at the College World Series. Although the Gators were disappointed that they didn’t get to Omaha, they weren’t supposed to make it to a Super Regional.

Last year the Gators were a year ahead of schedule. This year, with the talent returning and the abundance of highly rated freshmen to fill in the gaps, there are legitimate championship aspirations.

The Newcomers:

The Gators assembled the number one recruiting class in the country for good reason. Baseball America recently ranked their top prospects for the 2012 draft, which includes the current freshmen. Florida had five of their top 26 freshmen draft prospects in the country. It’s a testament to the way the staff has recruited, especially when you see the lineup this season.

This class has set the program on a tremendous foundation. We saw how important last year’s freshmen class was to the team, and they were ranked the No. 5 class in the country. Now the top class in the country has the ability to contribute right away. From middle of the order hitters to weekend pitchers, this class has it all.

Ben Brown, RHP, 5-10, 175, Winter Haven, FL: When Brown takes the mound for the first time this season, Gator fans may wonder why he is on scholarship. His fast ball is nothing to brag about but when he throws his first curve ball, fans will know exactly why he’s a prize recruit. Described as “a hammer,” the curve is Brown’s out pitch. As a senior in high school he went 10-1 with a 0.72 ERA that garnered him First-Team All-State honors in Class 5A. He didn’t get drafted, mainly because of size and lack of velocity. He won’t be the immediate impact pitcher that some others in this class may be, but he has all the makings of a terrific college player.

Cody Dent, INF, 5-11, 180, Boynton Beach, FL: The last name should sound familiar to most baseball fans and nightmarish to Boston Red Sox fans. The son of former New York Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent, whose game-winning home run to beat the Red Sox to clinch the AL East in 1978, Dent led his Park Vista team to the #3 ranking in the nation by Baseball America heading into his senior season. I expect him to play a role similar to what Jerico Weitzel did for the Gators last year. He can play third base, shortstop or second base. His glove is about as good as you can ask for an incoming freshman, but it’s the bat that will need work. He could be a potential late-inning defensive replacement if one of the infielders has issues with the glove during the year.

Nolan Fontana, SS, 5-11, 190, Winter Garden, FL: This is the recruit I’ve been hearing about for more than a year. His measurables may not stick out to anyone, but it’s the intangibles that make him special. One person I talked to even said, “He’s the type of kid that leads a team to Omaha.” His glove is very dependable, which is something the Gators didn’t have at shortstop last year. Batting leadoff for the National 18&U Team USA last summer, Fontana hit .357 and led the team in runs (12) and walks (9). His on-base percentage for West Orange last year was over .700 at one point and he finished the year hitting .507. He is the gritty, hard-nosed player that O’Sullivan is recruiting to Florida, the kind takes extra ground balls an hour before practice even starts. It’s not just baseball for Fontana either, as he was a member of the National Honors Society and finished in the top 5 percent of his graduating class.

Michael Heller, RHP, 6-2, 200, Bradenton, FL: Heller was in good shape to step into a bullpen that didn’t have any set roles, but he tore his ACL over the summer playing in a tournament in Atlanta. He was drafted in the 29th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates and only fell that far because of his pronounced desire to attend school. The torn ACL erased any chance that he would sign. He struck out 77 batters in 54 innings as a senior, registering a 2.46 ERA. Heller’s best attribute is his electric arm, which actually touched 95 mph as a senior. The Aflac All-American also hit .384 with six home runs and 20 RBI, while playing shortstop in high school. There was once a thought that he could potentially play both ways in college, but it looks like he will stick to the mound.

Brian Johnson, LHP, 6-3, 225, Cocoa Beach, FL: Left-handed pitchers with his build are a coach’s dream, and combined with O’Sullivan’s pitching expertise, it could be a scary combination for opposing teams in the future. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the 27th round, but just like Heller, Johnson was very vocal throughout his senior season about his desire to go to college instead of signing professionally. He went 5-1 with a 0.76 ERA, registering 102 strikeouts in 55 innings as a senior. He also hit .551 with nine home runs and 21 RBI, earning All-Space Coast MVP honors. With his gaudy offensive stats, the Florida coaches could still use him in some capacity during the season, but to do so might jeopardize his future, which is clearly on the mound. He has touched 92 mph but usually sits in the upper 80s or low 90s during a start.

Austin Maddox, C, 6-3, 230, Jacksonville, FL: Maddox was never supposed to make it to campus. He has been recognized as one of the top players in his age group for a long time. He fell to the 37th round of the MLB Draft where the Tampa Bay Rays took him, but Perfect Game had him ranked as the 33rd best high school player in the draft. The Aflac All-American’s fall in the draft was partly because he has wanted to be a Gator since he was a kid. Scouts also grew concerned with what was called a down senior season. However, the stats don’t show that. He hit .544 with nine home runs and 33 RBI. The concern was that he may have to move from behind the plate, but that won’t be happening this season. Baseball America even ranked his arm from behind the plate as the top out of last year’s high school crop. He also throws in the 90s off the mound. There’s no doubt his bat is the biggest asset of his game. Baseball America already lists him as the tenth best draft prospect in the national freshman class.

Hudson Randall, RHP, 6-3, 180, Atlanta, GA: Randall will get most of his action as a midweek starter this season. O’Sullivan’s philosophy in recruiting has always been to dominate the state of Florida first, so when he goes out of state to get a pitcher, you know he is special. It’s even better when he gets a kid like Randall, who had offers from Georgia and Georgia Tech as well. The Kansas City Royals still drafted him in the 46th round, even after Randall said he was going to school for sure.  He was First-Team All-State as a senior after going 10-1 with a 1.00 ERA, including five complete games. He also struck out 68 in 56 innings. I watched him pitch during fall practices and came away very impressed. He has a deceptive delivery that reminds me a little bit of San Francisco Giants right-hander and Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. He hides the ball very well and everything he throws has good sink on it.

Steven Rodriguez, LHP, 6-2, 230, Miami, FL: Rodriguez was an Under Armour All-American that may be more important to the Florida program than most realize. The Houston Astros selected him in the 48th round. He is the first recruit that has made it to campus from the city of Miami since O’Sullivan has been at Florida. Even more importantly, Rodriguez had an offer from the hometown Hurricanes where he could have joined his high school shortstop teammate Stephen Perez. Instead, he wanted to get out of the city where he grew up and experience something different. Unfortunately, he broke his foot while moving into his dorm in Gainesville and that kept him out during the fall workouts. Back at 100 percent, he projects as a reliever for the upcoming season and as someone that O’Sullivan expects to trust a lot, especially against left-handed hitters.

Bryson Smith, 3B, 6-2, 200 Watkinsville, GA: Bryson Smith could be a key component to the offense this season. Smith was the backup plan for UF signee Bobby Borchering, who signed for $1.8 million when he was taken 16th in last June’s draft. Statistically, Smith should step in and be an immediate contributor to an already veteran lineup. He was the National JUCO Player of the Year at Young Harris College, hitting .467 with 21 home runs and 90 RBI. The 21 homers tied the school record set originally by current Baltimore Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis. The Cleveland Indians selected Smith in the 30th round of the MLB Draft. Smith can hit but he’s got to improve his defense.  Hindered in the fall by a left wrist injury, Smith looks to be completely healed and his bat will be needed in the middle of the lineup this season.

Kamm Washington, OF, 5-10, 180, Boynton Beach, FL:  This is the guy that will have Major League teams kicking themselves in a few years for letting him go undrafted. I heard from one person that has seen him play a lot that he has true potential to be a five-tool player. He may be a little undersized, but he uses his legs in his swing to generate a lot of power, a lot like Preston Tucker. When he made it to campus, I figured that he would be groomed to take over in center field next season when Matt den Dekker graduates but that was before Washington led the entire team in hitting during fall workouts. There’s no doubt Washington has earned playing time this spring. Now it’s just a matter of how much.

Paul Wilson, OF, 6-0, 190, Lakeland, FL: He isn’t a typical newcomer because he has been on campus for three years, but Wilson is a newcomer to the baseball team. He became a medical hardship from the football team when he broke his foot for the second time in a year. Just as Riley Cooper’s foot issues were often a problem for football, they could handle the rigors of baseball. The same should be true with Wilson, who is now practicing full speed. The last time he played baseball was as a junior at Lakeland because he enrolled early for football when he should have been a senior. As a junior, Wilson hit .415 and stole 18 bases. I saw him taking batting practice in January and his swing looked better than I expected. It still had some holes in it that need to be corrected, but he is a good enough athlete to make the necessary changes. I think his addition to the team is more a move for next season when the Gators lose their center and right fielders.

Michael Zunino, C, 6-2, 220, Cape Coral, FL: Zunino will combine with Maddox and Ben McMahan behind the plate to create a trio of catchers with great upsides. Zunino’s strength is defensively and the way he works with pitchers. He was selected to the First-Team All-State in 5A after hitting .464 with 12 home runs and 37 RBI. He was selected to the prestigious Aflac All-American Game and was eventually selected in the 30th round by the Oakland Athletics. Zunino’s father is a scout for the Cincinnati Reds, so he has been around the game his whole life. Expect him to see time behind the plate this season along with the other catchers. The amount of playing time he sees will most likely be determined by whoever is the hot bat at the time.

The Lineup (with 2009 statistics):

The word you need to keep in mind for this portion is the word “options.” The way the Florida staff has recruited in only two seasons has them with plenty of options in the batting order and in the field. That means is plenty of movement that will occur throughout the season. Injuries and slumps happen over the course of the long season. The Gators are just better equipped to handle them now.

For all the expectations, six of my projected starters are freshmen or sophomores. It’s important to keep in mind that this is still a young team, arguably younger than last year. The only difference is that last year’s youth was on the mound where the Gators are now have veterans. There will still be bumps along the road.

The other part of this lineup is that the power is extremely improved. Any spot in the lineup can hit the ball out at any time, which isn’t something you could say last year.

Here is the lineup that I have put together off what I expect to see. This is based off how guys have played in the fall and spring. Keep in mind that it’s a long season and things will certainly change. The lineup we see on Friday night probably won’t even be the same lineup we see on the following Friday. However, here is my best guess:

1. Matt den Dekker, CF, Sr., 6-1, 210, Bats L/Throws L, Fort Lauderdale, FL: (2009: .296, 5, 37). I don’t think den Dekker would hesitate to admit that he had a disappointing year last season. He was widely publicized as a top-five round pick after his junior season, and sometimes that pressure is too much for guys to handle throughout the year. Whatever the reason was, den Dekker seemed to be thinking too much at the plate. His 49 strikeouts were the second most on the team (only 24 as a sophomore). His five home runs were also the lowest number he has hit in his three years as a Gator. With all this in mind, it would only make sense for den Dekker to put together a much better season at the plate. He is a threat to steal a base at any time and has a special knack for reading the pitcher and stealing third base. Defensively, there isn’t a center fielder in the country I would trade him for. In fact, Baseball America’s season preview labeled den Dekker as “the nation’s best defensive outfielder.” He is the true captain of the outfield, and his leadership has gone undervalued in his three years in Gainesville.

2. Josh Adams, 2B, Jr., 5-11, 195, Bats R/Throws R, Jacksonville, FL: (2009: .342, 8, 52). Adams has the highest returning on-base percentage from last year’s team, so it makes plenty of sense to hit him in front of Preston Tucker. The best way to let Tucker see pitches to hit is if he hits with men on base. Adams is a gap-to-gap hitter who had 11 doubles last season. The only worry with him is that he has led the team in strikeouts each of the past two seasons. He is a truly versatile player on offense and defense. He can hit just about anywhere in the lineup and be effective. In the field, he could play first base, second base, shortstop, third base, catcher or any of the outfield spots. Whenever O’Sullivan talks about Adams, the key is always that no matter what position he plays, he still hits. He isn’t a player concerned about his happiness but rather the team getting wins, and he’ll do whatever is necessary to make that happen. With all that said, it looks like he will stick at second base all season.

3. Preston Tucker, 1B, So., 6-0, 215, Bats L/Throws L, Tampa, FL: (2009: .364, 15, 85). It was tough to appreciate what Tucker did last season in the moment. I’ll never forget some of the things he did last season. Seeing him hit his third home run of the game against UCF, giving him 11 RBI on the night, was unbelievable. The entire stadium knew it was coming, and even off his front foot, he hit a line drive over the 400-foot sign in center field that didn’t seem to go more than 20 feet off the ground. He does things that people simply shouldn’t do. If fans have a chance, getting to the field early to watch him take batting practice is a treat. He is the cornerstone player that every good offense has at least one of. The key issue now will be how he will respond when opposing teams are preparing to stop him. He has to be able to take a walk this year, as he did last season, because teams will almost surely stay away from him as much as possible.

4. Austin Maddox, DH, Fr., 6-3, 230, Bats R/Throws R, Jacksonville, FL: (2009: .544, 9, 33 in high school) He’s got the “wow” factor that came with Preston Tucker last season. He is your prototypical cleanup hitter. The ball just comes off of his bat with a different sound. It shows how much the coaching staff trusts him that they’re willing to let a freshman hit cleanup, and especially putting him behind Tucker to protect him. He came in as a dead pull hitter, likely because he was trying to hit the ball as far as possible during his high school season. He has matured at the plate, learning how to hit the ball with authority to the opposite field now. He is leading the team in home runs combined between the fall and spring scrimmages. Maddox even hit an opposite field two-run home run against ace Tommy Toledo during a scrimmage last week. He is an unselfish kid, and I’ve even seen him taking plenty of ground balls at first and third base since he’s been on campus. He just wants to get on the field and win. You’ve got to love a player like that, specifically when they have the amount of talent that Maddox has. Coming out of high school, Baseball America ranked his arm as the top arm from behind the plate out of every high school catcher in the country. He can throw in the mid-90s off the mound. 

5. Tyler Thompson, OF, 6-1, 190, Tequesta, FL: (2009: .235, 1, 10) Thompson has had a great spring from the practices I have seen. He has a long swing that requires perfect timing, but he has looked great so far. Last year, he went 4-4 in a game against Kentucky before struggling with his increased playing time in the postseason. It looks like he has taken the next step towards consistency over the offseason. He has struggled with a few nagging injuries, but he has fought through them. The injuries are what slowed his progress last season. He actually missed all last fall because of a knee injury, so it took him a good portion of the season to get adjusted. Once he did, he came on at the end of the regular season.

6. Daniel Pigott, LF, So., 6-2, 205, Bats R/Throws R, Ormond Beach, FL: (2009: .301, 3, 21). Pigott doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses in his game. He can hit for average and power, as well as being athletic enough to play a lot of positions. He actually played catcher in high school at times, as well as outfield and third base. He has found a home in the Florida outfield. An excellent bunter, he capped a seven run ninth inning with a drag bunt that rallied the Gators past Alabama last season. He is a good base runner and gives some speed from the middle of the order. He hit only three home runs last season, but with more at bats, I would expect that number to go up. He also worked in the offseason on keeping his left elbow closer to his body while swinging, which should generate a quicker bat and more power.

7. Bryson Smith, 3B, Jr., 6-2, 200, Bats R/Throws R, Watkinsville, GA: (2009: .467, 21, 90 in junior college) Smith is my wild card to this offense and maybe the whole team. If he can prove to handle third base defensively, this team can be scary. That would allow one of the non-starting catchers to get in the lineup as the designated hitter. If not and Smith is forced to be the designated hitter, it forces into the lineup a lighter bat in Weitzel or Dent to handle third base defensively. The Florida coaches are fully confident that Smith will be able to play in the field. O’Sullivan has told me plenty of times during the offseason that he doesn’t recruit designated hitters, and the Gators would not have signed Smith if they didn’t have full confidence in his ability at third base. There aren’t many questions about his bat, however. I did have a few questions after watching him in the fall, but his performance so far in spring practice has made me feel a lot better about the way he swings the bat.

8. Nolan Fontana, SS, Fr., 5-11, 190, Bats L/Throws R, Winter Garden, FL: (2009: .507 batting average, .702 on-base percentage in high school) He has shown a good knowledge of the strike zone, and depending on how he hits, he could move out of this spot. If he can handle the leadoff role, it would allow the Gators to move den Dekker into the meat of the order, but that is down the road. A key component to his swing are his strong hands that allow him to get on top of the ball and hit line drives into the gaps. A comparison could be made between Fontana and former Gator left fielder Avery Barnes, a 13th round pick in the MLB Draft last year. They are both left-handed with a solid swing, as well as surprising power. In the field, he has the ability to make the tough plays look routine. He is a natural at turning the double play ball because of his body control and quick transfer time. Most programs would have trouble trusting the shortstop spot to a freshman, but that tells you how special Fontana is.

9. Michael Zunino, C, 6-2, 220, Cape Coral, FL: 2009: .464, 11, 37 in high school) The catching rotation will be interesting to watch this season. Between Maddox, McMahan, Hampton Tignor and Zunino, there are four catchers that could all play division one baseball somewhere. Zunino’s defense is why I think he starts this year. He is extremely advanced for a freshman both receiving and throwing. His power bat will also give the Gators some punch at the bottom of the lineup. The bat didn’t blow me away when I saw him swing during the fall with wood bats, but the ball jumps off his swing with an aluminum bat. He has gap-to-gap power. He hit the longest home run I’ve seen all spring over the weekend off Nick Maronde. The ball almost landed on the concourse area of the O’Connell Center.

The Bench Players (with 2009 statistics):

Cody Dent, INF, 5-11, 180, Boynton Beach, FL: Dent’s playing time this season may come in giving Fontana and Adams some rest during midweek games. He is as slick a fielder as you can ask for in his first year on campus, so he could be a player who gets playing time if one of the starters has trouble on defense. The important thing for him this season will be to work hard in the weight room and add some muscle. His bat just doesn’t have a ton of pop right now, and improvement in that area would make him more likely to see the field.

Ben McMahan, C, So, 6-0, 210, Bats R/Throws R, Windermere, FL: (2009: .100, 1, 2) I made the comment somewhat tongue-in-cheek a few times last year that McMahan was the best .100 hitter I’d ever seen. I really like the way he swings the bat. He had some hard luck last season when he’d hit line drives at people, but his only at bats came late in midweek games that were already in hand. It’s hard to expect someone to do much in that situation without being able to get in a rhythm of seeing pitches for a few at-bats during a game. He went to the Cape Cod League this summer and hit .241 with three home runs in the country’s best summer wood bat league. He has had a good spring with the bat, including a 3-3 performance during the first week that included a home run, triple and double.

Jonathan Pigott, RF, Sr., 6-2, 205, Bats R/Throws R, Ormond Beach, FL: (2009: .357 batting average, 6 home runs, 32 RBI) Pigott came on near the end of last season. Riley Cooper took a lot of at-bats from him during the beginning of the season, but as he began to slump, Pigott pounced on the opportunity. Give him a lot of credit for keeping his head up. He could have pouted that his at-bats were down because of Cooper, but it fueled Pigott to keep working hard. It paid off near the end of the year. He was named to the All-SEC Tournament team after hitting three home runs in the Gators’ last two games. The next week, he hit .438 (7-16) during the Gainesville Regional to be named to the All-Tournament Team. He could play center field if needed, but his arm in right field is the best on the team. He almost dares runners to advance a base before throwing them out by a few steps. He will see plenty of time in the lineup this season, especially against left-handed pitchers.

Hampton Tignor, C, 6-1, 195, Sarasota, FL: (.213, 0, 2) Tignor is the senior leader that every team needs. I’ve heard tremendous things about him in the clubhouse and on the practice field. He actually scored in the 98th percentile on his LSAT, allowing him to go seemingly anywhere he wants for grad school. His unselfishness is necessary for his role this season. He has three younger catchers who will probably get more playing time than he does, but it’s his attitude in that which will benefit the entire team.  His productivity may not have been what people expected from him coming out of high school, but his unselfishness and dedication to the Florida baseball program is just as important.

Kamm Washington, OF, 5-10, 180, Boynton Beach, FL: After leading the team in batting average during fall scrimmages, Washington is pushing all of the returning outfielders for playing time. He may be undersized, but his power and speed combination makes him a candidate to even hit leadoff in his career. I think he is being groomed to take over in center field next year when den Dekker graduates. The best part about his game is that he knows he needs improvement and is willing to work. His swing is designed to drive the ball to the opposite field, but when the pitchers try to bust him inside with a fastball, he has quick enough hands to pull them in and drive the pull to right field.

Jerico Weitzel, INF, 5-11, 200, Ridgway, PA: (2009: .208, 0, 6) Weitzel was a valuable player for Florida last season. With Brandon McArthur playing third base, Weitzel was often sent in late in the game as a defensive replacement. He is a utility player that could play third base, shortstop, second base and any outfield spots. He could also be an emergency catcher if necessary. His bat is obviously what needs the most work, but if there’s one thing I know about Weitzel from being at games and practices, it’s that he isn’t afraid to work. His bat actually looks a lot better than it did last season. He is driving the ball with more power than he had last season and is hitting more consistent line drives. I can’t remember a practice last spring or this fall that I was at early to get some interviews where I didn’t see Weitzel taking extra ground balls or batting practice.

The Pitching Rotation (with 2009 statistics):

For as good as the offense is, the pitching staff is probably better. This is easily the best depth Florida has had since O’Sullivan got the job and since at least the 2005 team. The difference is the 2005 team had their depth as upperclassmen. This season, they’re mostly freshmen and sophomores.

In my opinion, it would take an injury or a pitcher struggling big time for someone other than a freshman or sophomore to get a start on the mound. It’s scary how good the depth is, especially because they’ll probably all come back next season. Tommy Toledo is the only potential starting pitcher who could go pro after this season.

It’s the same situation here as with the lineup, the pitching rotation may not be the same for the Miami weekend as it will be during the first weekend. In fact, there is one change I would expect in the rotation by then. Here is what I expect the weekend rotation to look like:

Friday: Tommy Toledo, RHP, 6-3, 190, Tampa, FL: (2009: injured) The thing this staff lacked last season was a pitcher who was able to dominate a Friday night game like Anthony Ranaudo from LSU or Drew Pomeranz from Ole Miss. Toledo has the potential to be the Friday night stopper. He missed last season because of shoulder surgery. From what I have seen this spring, his arm looks loose and the ball jumps out of his hand better even than his freshman year. He is now back to 100 percent , although the coaches don’t want to push his pitch count early in the season. They want to ease him back, because as Coach O’Sullivan told the media, “we need him to be good at the end of the year for us to get where we want to be.”

Toledo throws from a three-quarters motion and gets good movement on all of his pitches. He has topped out at 93 mph this spring. He is on his game when he is getting ground balls and strikeouts. This is yet another reason why the infield defense this season is so important. It says a lot about him that he can come off a season missed because of injury and be projected as the ace over three freshmen who all had outstanding years. The year off was crucial for Toledo. He was able to watch plenty of film and learn more about the art of pitching, instead of just throwing. I expect a huge year out of Toledo and wouldn’t be surprised if he is a fixture in the Friday night role all season. He has waited 16 months to get back, and he’ll get his first start this Friday night.

Saturday: Brian Johnson, LHP, 6-3, 225, Cocoa Beach, FL: (2009: 5-1, 0.76 ERA in high school) This freshman left-hander throws in the low 90s with great feel for his off-speed pitches. Under the tutelage of Coach O’Sullivan, Johnson has a few scouts thinking he could be a top three round selection three years from now in the draft. Not only do his measurables and feel for pitching make it a possibility, his desire to listen and learn increases it even more. He finished the spring scrimmages out by throwing 11 innings, allowing zero runs and striking out 17 batters, topping out at 92 mph. I was told from someone close to the team that he looked like the team’s best pitcher in the spring.

He came to campus throwing only a fastball and curveball with confidence. Since then, he has developed a changeup that has almost turned into his go-to off-speed pitch. The nerves may be there to start the season as they would be for any freshman, but Johnson has the look of a future Friday night starter. His fastball has tails away from right-handed hitters, making it even more difficult for them to make solid contact. It says a lot about Johnson that the talk of the team is centered around the freshman arms returning, yet he looks to be a weekend starting pitcher.

Sunday: Anthony DeSclafani, RHP, 6-2, 195, Freehold, NJ: (2009: 6-3, 4.98 ERA) He was forced into the rotation last year based on need and probably had the most consistent year out of the freshmen. He throws in the low 90s with a tight slider as his strikeout pitch. He has a smooth delivery that is easy to repeat, and more often than not, his success depends on how well he can keep the ball down in the strike zone. His fast ball is good enough to go up in the zone every once in a while to get a strike out, but if it is consistently up, he gets hit hard. Luckily, DeSclafani has fine-tuned his command during the offseason and he has added 12 pounds, going from 178 to 190, which should allow him to go deeper into games. It also should keep his velocity up after the trials of a long season.

If Stephen Locke wasn’t reinstated to last year’s team, it’s likely that DeSclafani would’ve finished the year as the Friday night starter. He finished last season with a little success followed by failure, going 5.2 innings and allowing two runs against Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament before struggling in the regionals against Bethune Cookman. An offseason in the weight room will do wonders for him and build his endurance even more. I think he was the potential to make the jump to one of the more dominant pitchers in the SEC this year.

Tuesday: Alex Panteliodis, LHP, 6-2, 235, Tampa, FL: (2009: 6-5, 4.38) I was prepared to write Panteliois’ report about how much he needs his location to be good to be effective due to his lack of velocity. That was until I saw him pitch this spring. His velocity has jumped to where he is now sitting between 89-92 mph, instead of the mid-80s he was at last season. His ability to locate is still important, but his velocity increase now makes it so he can get away with a mistake with the fastball.

He had 22 appearances last year, only 10 of which were starts. The versatility is nice to have, but I expect him to sneak into the weekend rotation fairly early in the season. He has thrown the ball very well this spring. The velocity increase has really improved the pitcher he is, and that is saying a lot for a freshman who won six games last year.

Wednesday: Hudson Randall, RHP, 6-3, 180, Atlanta, GA: The first thought I had while watching Randall throw in the fall was the similarities to San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum. I’m certainly not comparing his pitching ability to the Cy Young Award winner at this point, but his windup reminds me a lot of Lincecum. It is very deceptive and doesn’t give the hitter much of a chance to see the ball before it is too late. Combine that with the fact that Randall is a ground ball pitcher and you’ve got the recipe for a successful career.

His pitches all seem heavy to the hitter, meaning they usually pound them into the ground for weak ground balls, and a few hitters even told me that on the first day of spring practice. That usually means they have more sink to them than the batter realizes, and it hit off the bottom of the barrel instead of squaring it up, and the ball is hit weakly on the ground. I expect his first start to come against on February 24 against UCF, which is a program on the rise.

The Bullpen (with 2009 statistics):

One source close to the program told me that if this team has the lead after five innings, they’d be tough to beat. That’s how much confidence there is in the bullpen right now.

Nick Maronde will be the closer this season, while left-hander Kevin Chapman and right-hander Greg Larson serve as the set-up men depending on the lineup hitting.

Jeff Barfield, RHP, 6-0, 215, Perry, GA: (2009: 2-1, 4.50 ERA) Barfield started last season as the team’s closer and then moved quickly to Friday night starter when the departed Patrick Keating struggled. He is another one whose versatility is important. He will start this season as a middle reliever. The back end of the bullpen is wide open so Barfield will throw plenty of meaningful innings. He has a knack for getting ground balls in crucial situations, so he could be a guy that comes in to induce a ground ball double play after another pitcher gets into a jam.

Ben Brown, RHP, 5-10, 175, Winter Haven, FL: The freshman could see spot-starting duty if someone gets hurt or can’t start. I think his most likely role this season will come as a reliever in some mid-week games. It will give him valuable experience in his first season to continue learning how to pitch. He isn’t as physically ready to pitch this season as Johnson and Randall, but he will still see innings. He has the upside to be a solid pitcher with some time under O’Sullivan’s wing. He just needs to continue learning how to attack hitters because he doesn’t have the big velocity fastball others do.

Matt Campbell, RHP, 6-2, 190, Tampa, FL: Campbell is a walk-on that I heard a little talk about in the fall. He is a hard-throwing right-hander who has himself in position to get some innings this season. Most walk-ons would probably be tentative when facing some of the bigger bats on this team, but Campbell attacks them, and that’s exactly what O’Sullivan wants to see. He’s not afraid to challenge hitters. His off-speed pitches are the concern right now, but his breaking ball has looked pretty good during the spring scrimmages I’ve seen. It is at least a pitch that hitters have to respect, which makes his fastball that much more effective.

Kevin Chapman, LHP, 6-4, 215, Coral Springs, FL: (2009: 1-0, 2.38 ERA) Chapman showed up as a freshman in 2007 and made a good impression during some midweek starts. He went 2-1 with 27 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. Then he was forced to have offseason elbow surgery and missed all of 2008. He was used sparingly in 2009 but getting enough experience to get his feet wet again. This is the season he will be counted upon heavily. Tony Davis’ departure left a hole in the bullpen for a left-handed specialist, and Chapman rose to the occasion during fall workouts. He will be the setup man, depending on the lineup the opposing team has hitting in the eighth inning. If there are some lefties due up then, he will be the guy to get the ball. I was told that O’Sullivan moved Chapman’s arm slot lower, and his ball is moving all over the place, while topping out at 92 mph. Again, it’s a pitching staff with plenty of options, depending on how the opposing team’s lineup looks.

Clint Franklin, RHP, 6-3, 210, Orlando, FL: (2009: 2-0, 3.00) The senior was a valuable arm out of the bullpen last season before an injury forced him to miss the second half of the season. He is still nagged with injuries through the beginning of spring practice, but his arm would be a welcome addition to a bullpen without a lot of proven commodities. He doesn’t dazzle any radar guns with his fastball or buckle hitters’ knees with his off-speed pitches, but he stays low in the strike zone and has some sink on his pitches that force plenty of ground balls in critical situations. Never underestimate the value of a senior arm out of the bullpen.

Michael Heller, RHP, 6-2, 200, Bradenton, FL: (2009: 5-4, 2.46 ERA in high school) This could be a big one for the bullpen. Heller tore his ACL over the summer, which secured him coming to campus instead of signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, although it was up in the air anyways. Heller had a power arm and would be valuable in late game situations. He touched 97 mph with his fastball as a senior in high school. His off-speed pitches will need work, but his future is a big one. You simply can’t teach the arm he has been blessed with. He could potentially be used as a starter down the road, but he closed in high school and seems like a good candidate to close or be a late-inning pitcher for the Gators. Just as he did with Chapman, O’Sullivan moved Heller’s arm slot lower to get him more movement on the ball, and he has been throwing 92-93 mph with more movement than high school. The only hurdle towards that happening this season will come in his rehab from the ACL injury. From the times I have seen him pitch in scrimmages this spring, I would say he has crossed that hurdle. The knee has shown no traces of giving him issues.

Greg Larson, RHP, 6-8, 225, Longwood, FL: (2009: 3-2, 3.45 ERA) After injuring his back as a senior in high school, not much was expected out of Larson as a freshman until he began to dominate at the beginning of the year. At the midpoint of the season, he was one of the most trusted arms out of the bullpen. The Florida training staff has done a tremendous job with him and for the first offseason in a long time, Larson was able to work out and add weight. The result was 15 extra pounds. He faded down the stretch last season, but it would be hard not to expect that from someone who struggled working out because of his back. He was already one of the hardest throwers on the team, thanks to his 6-8 frame, but from what I have been told, he is throwing harder this season. He seemed like the logical person to step into the closer’s role, but he will give the Gators some flexibility and consistency from the set-up position, as well as a key guy to come in late in games to get a ground ball double play.

Nick Maronde, LHP, 6-3, 210, Lexington, KY: (2009: 3-1, 4.40 ERA) After a good season as a starting pitcher as a freshman, Maronde moves into the closer’s role for his sophomore campaign. There’s no doubt he has the ability to do it. Maronde was recently named by Perfect Game as the top sophomore prospect in the state of Florida. He has a good fastball and location that has leans on. His mature approach and advanced knowledge to pitching is truly at his advantage. He’s more of a fastball-slider pitcher who can get away with using those two pitches to dominate hitters. That’s why I think this move is good. He can go an inning or two to get a save. He did tell the media that he has worked hard in the weight room this offseason and that we could see a few extra miles per hour on his fastball this season. Word was that he was looking like a future first round pick during the offseason.

Justin Poovey, RHP, 6-0, 200, Granite Falls, NC: (2-1, 5.73 ERA) I’ve always been intrigued by Poovey and think his arm is better than his numbers say. Last season was more about getting back into the groove after missing the 2008 season from Tommy John surgery. But as some do, he came back from the surgery throwing harder than before. There was even talk he could have started last season as the closer. Instead, he started some midweek games and saw an expanded role out of the bullpen as the season came to a close. I would expect him to be used more in the 7th inning of games this season. However, the first few weeks of the season look like they could be an open tryout for bullpen pitchers to establish themselves. I’ve heard talk from people close to the team that his slider is “unhittable.” It has hard bite to it and has a lot of depth. There doesn’t look to be an order set for the way they will be used, and even when one is decided on, expect it to change as the season goes along. He has thrown the ball well so far this spring, and I expect his appearances to increase as the season goes on.

Steven Rodriguez, LHP, 6-2, 230, Miami, FL: “Paco” will be a freshman that could push for time on the mound, especially against left-handed batters. The first time I talked to Coach O’Sullivan about Rodriguez, he mentioned how difficult his delivery and arm slots are for left-handed hitters to pick up. The only downfall for Rodriguez potentially get early time on the mound is that Chapman and Maronde are both left-handed. So when LSU’s Blake Dean to the plate late in a close game, the temptation will probably be to hand the ball to a more experienced left-hander. However, Rodriguez will still see plenty of innings out of the bullpen. He throws a heavy ball that is difficult for hitters to drive into the outfield, and he gets a lot of ground balls because of that. It’s no secret that O’Sullivan loves left-handed pitchers, and he loves giving them chances to succeed early in their career, just as we saw with Panteliodis and Maronde both starting on opening weekend last year against a ranked Louisville team. If you earn his trust, you will get innings, and I expect Rodriguez to do just that. He broke his foot over the summer and missed the fall because of it.

Chas Spottswood, RHP, 6-4, 200, Key West, FL: (2009: 0-0, 12.00 ERA) Spottswood has been one of the players I get asked the most about with this team. I think the reason for that is he came on as a freshman during the 2006 season, the year after the team made their run to Omaha, so Gator fans were very attentive to the team and liked what he did. He is healthy again this season and chose to participate for another year, even after going through senior day last season. Originally, I didn’t think he would see time in meaningful innings because he wasn’t very good last year. However, he wasn’t completely healthy last year. Now he is at full strength and has benefited from a full offseason of working with O’Sullivan on his mechanics. He is looks to be throwing harder and getting better movement this spring.

Florida’s Out of Conference Opponents:



Florida State (March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13): This year the Florida-Florida State rivalry adds a game. They will always play in Tallahassee and Gainesville, and a few years ago, a neutral site game was added in Jacksonville. This season, during the third week of the season, the two teams will face off in Tampa.

On the mound, the Seminoles return most of their staff from last season. The only loss that could hurt them is the graduation of closer Jimmy Marshall (3-2, 4.85, 10 saves). Sophomore left-hander Sean Gilmartin (12-3, 3.49) is a Preseason Third-Team All-American and will be the Friday night starter for the Seminoles. The rest of the weekend rotation could be fluid throughout the year, but currently junior right-hander Geoff Parker (6-2, 4.82) projects to pitch on Saturdays and junior left-hander John Gast (5-3, 5.12) starting on Sundays. From what I have been told, JUCO transfer Andrew Durden is projected to be the closer. This leaves sophomore right-hander Hunter Scantling (3-1, 4.63), junior right-hander Mike McGee (6-2, 4.04) and freshman right-hander Robert Benincasa as potential midweek starters when the Gators face Florida State.

At the plate, the Seminoles also return a large part of their lineup. They lost second baseman Jason Stidham (.363, 12, 76) who was an 8th round selection by the St. Louis Cardinals. Freshman Devon Travis was slated to play second base in his absence, but he will have surgery on his hand that will keep him out 4-6 weeks. The key to their lineup is at the top where junior center fielder and Gainesville native Tyler Holt (.401, 5, 28). He is a Preseason First-Team All-American and almost assured a first round pick in this year’s MLB Draft. I mentioned earlier that I wouldn’t trade Florida center fielder Matt den Dekker for any center fielder in the country on defense, but if I had to, Holt is the choice. He has almost no hole in his entire game.

Miami (March 5-7): The Hurricanes have a few more questions than Florida State. Just as happens every season, the Gators get an early barometer of where they are as a team as they travel to Coral Gables to take on Miami during the third weekend of the season.

Preseason First-Team All-American junior left-hander Chris Hernandez (7-5, 4.76) anchors the pitching staff for the Hurricanes. Don’t let his stats from last season fool you. He is a threat to throw a shutout any night. Two years ago as a freshman, he went 11-0 with a 2.72 ERA. Junior left-hander Eric Erickson will pitch on Saturdays for the Hurricanes after missing all of last season because of Tommy John surgery. In his first two seasons with the Hurricanes, Erickson combined to go 19-5 with a 3.27 ERA. The Sunday starting pitcher is still undecided but will be chosen out of right-handers Jason Santana (6-1, 5.40), Eric Whaley, Steven Ewing, and left-handers Jerad Grundy, Travis Miller (3-0, 4.33) and Daniel Miranda (3-3, 4.86). They also lost All-American closer Kyle Bellamy (3-1, 0.97, 16 saves). David Gutierrez (4-6, 4.38) will make the transition from starter to closer this season.

At the plate is where Miami might see a drop off from last season. They lost left fielder Chris Herrmann (.341, 9, 44), first baseman Jason Hagerty (.315, 14, 60, shortstop Ryan Jackson (.263, 4, 28), right fielder Dave DiNatale (.311, 6, 39), who all hit in the top six spots of the batting order last season. The main returning bat comes in junior Preseason All-American catcher Yasmani Grandal (.299, 16, 45). He has the making of a first-round pick as a catcher, with his cannon from behind the plate and monstrous power with the bat. Senior second baseman Scott Lawson (.333, 4, 34) and sophomore third baseman Harold Martinez (.270, 9, 47) are also key returners for the offense.

Florida’s SEC Opponents (predicted order of finish):

SEC East:

1. Florida: Florida has the bats to stack up with any team in the conference, but it’s the pitching depth that sets them apart from other teams.

2. South Carolina (May 20-22): For the first time in a while, the Gamecocks will be solid on the mound as they return all three of their weekend starters from last season. Junior right-hander Sam Dyson (9-4, 5.21) returns with his big time fastball as the ace of the South Carolina staff. He was a tenth round selection in the MLB Draft last year but chose to return to school in hopes of a better season with better control of his pitches. Sophomore left-hander Nolan Belcher (4-5, 5.33) may look short (5-8) on the mound, but his junk ball mentality proved last season to get hitters out. Senior right-hander Blake Cooper (9-4, 4.50) returns as the Sunday starting pitcher.

The Gamecocks lost their best player in left fielder DeAngelo Mack (.361, 14, 60) to the MLB Draft last season, but they still return plenty of quality bats. Sophomore outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (.349, 11, 46) looks to continue the momentum from his impactful freshman year. Junior Whit Merrifield (.340, 11, 49) will continue to split time between center field and second base. Senior first baseman Nick Ebert’s (.321, 23, 72) eligibility is still up in the air based on some issues that need to be ironed out.

3. Georgia (May 14-16): Not many teams lost more than the Bulldogs did this offseason. Trevor Holder (7-5, 4.48), the team’s ace, graduated last season. Junior right-hander Justin Grimm (4-4, 4.15) is coming off a strong summer in the Cape Cod League and will anchor the rotation on Friday nights. The Saturday and Sunday pitchers have yet to be determined, but I like sophomore Michael Palazzone (3-0, 5.13) to get one of the spots. Alex McCree (4-4, 6.27) will move from the starting rotation to the closer spot. The tall, lanky left-hander was inconsistent as a starting pitcher so the move may do him well.

Most of the departed players came in the field. Catcher Bryce Massanari (.305, 19, 57), center fielder Matt Cerione (.291, 12, 43) and designated hitter Joey Lewis (.282, 19, 58) have all moved onto the next level, leaving Georgia a team that will depend heavily on young players. Sophomore third baseman Colby May (.339, 11, 42) will be the key hitter in the middle of the order, and left fielder Lyle Allen (.255, 5, 23) will provide some pop from the left side of the plate.

4. Kentucky (April 16-18): The story on the Wildcats starts and ends on the mound. Senior left-hander James Paxton (5-3, 5.86) was chosen as the 37th overall pick in the MLB Draft but chose to come back to school. However, there are still eligibility issues to be cleared before he can play. Sophomore right-hander Alex Meyer (1-4, 5.73) would take his spot as the staff ace, but don’t let his stats fool you. He his electric stuff and with an offseason to improve his control, he is bracing for a breakout season.

Junior shortstop Chris Bisson (.360, 2, 52) returns to anchor the Wildcats lineup, and sophomore outfielder Chad Wright (.343, 4, 23) looks to continue his momentum from an outstanding freshman season. Senior catcher Marcus Nidiffer (.312, 10, 32) returns after leading the team in home runs last season.

5. Vanderbilt (April 2-4): The Commodores lost their two most reliable starting pitchers from last season in left-hander Mike Minor (6-6, 3.90) and right-hander Caleb Cotham (7-5, 4.10). The Atlanta Braves selected Minor with the 7th pick in the draft, and the New York Yankees selected Cotham in the 5th round. By the end of 2009 season, they had found a new ace. Sophomore right-hander Sonny Gray (5-1, 4.30) was highly recruited out of high school and as the season went on, he got more comfortable. Sophomore right-hander Jack Armstrong and junior right-hander Russell Brewer will most likely finish out the weekend rotation.

Redshirt sophomore designated hitter Aaron Westlake (.377, 10, 57) was one of the top hitters in the conference last season and returns to anchor the lineup. Senior catcher Andrew Giobbi (.289, 6, 41) gives Vanderbilt stability behind the plate. Sophomore shortstop Riley Reynolds (.332, 0, 22) brings youth up the middle and will hit near the top of their lineup.

6. Tennessee (April 9-11): The starting pitching will be a question for the Volunteers this season after losing their ace Nick Hernandez (4-5, 5.23). Junior Bryan Morgado (4-2, 6.36) has the electric arm to start or close, but his walks hurt his effectiveness last season. Morgado had a good summer in the Cape Cod League, so the Volunteers hope he has harnessed all of his talent. Senior right-hander Stephen McCray (4-3, 5.16) will be an important arm to a depleted rotation.

Offensively, Tennessee is among the best in the league. Junior first baseman Cody Hawn (.364, 22, 81) had one of the most statistically impressive seasons in the conference last year. Junior catcher Blake Forsythe (.347, 15, 46) might be the best offensive catcher in the conference and one of the best in the country.

SEC West:

1. LSU (April 30-May 2): The defending national champions are the preseason No. 3 in one poll, and the talent level remains high in Baton Rouge. It starts on the mound where the Tigers have arguably the top Friday night pitcher in the country in junior right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (12-3, 3.04) and the best closer in the country with sophomore Matty Ott (4-2, 2.68, 16 saves). Sophomore transfer Joey Bourgeois and junior right-hander Austin Ross (6-8, 5.18) will complete the weekend rotation.

Senior first baseman Blake Dean (.328, 17, 71) chose to come back to school after being taken in the tenth round by the Minnesota Twins. The knock was that he was the team’s DH for most of his career, so this season he will be showing off his defense at first base. There is no question about the bat. Sophomore center fielder Mikie Mahtook (.316, 7, 38) took the SEC by storm as a freshman with his diving catches and passionate play. Junior right fielder Leon Landry (.300, 12, 41), brother of former LSU and current Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry, will finally have a starting role to himself for a full season.

2. Arkansas (April 23-25): The Razorbacks lose ace Dallas Keuchel (9-3, 3.92) from last year’s team but sophomore left-hander Drew Smyly (3-1, 4.66) has the pitches to lead the pitching staff. Junior right-hander and starting center fielder Brett Eibner (5-5, 5.00) will start on Saturdays, just like he did last season. Senior right-hander Mike Bolsinger (6-4, 2.99) will move from the team’s long reliever to the starting rotation this season. Freshman reliever DJ Baxendale will replace Bolsinger as the most important arm out of the bullpen.

In a league stacked with big bats at first base, junior Andy Wilkins (.319, 19, 58) is in the cream of the crop. Sophomore third baseman Zack Cox (.266, 13, 39) dominated Florida in their matchups last season and will look to take that next step this season, in a year he is eligible for the MLB Draft.

3. Mississippi (May 26-28): Just as Arkansas lost one of the top arms in the league, Ole Miss brings one of the top arms back in junior left-hander Drew Pomeranz (8-4, 3.40). There wasn’t a game all season long where Pomeranz displayed his dominance more than April 17 in Gainesville when he threw a complete game, four-hit performance when he allowed two runs and struck out nine. It’s the rest of their rotation that might struggle. Senior right-hander Aaron Barrett (0-1, 8.70) will start on Saturdays and Walters State (TN) Community College transfer Trent Rothlin will start on Sundays.

Junior right fielder Matt Smith (.336, 8, 59) is the key bat in the lineup. His tall, lanky frame creates plenty of raw power, and I would expect his home run numbers to skyrocket this season. Senior third baseman Zach Miller (.341, 5, 38) is another key bat who will be counted on for his senior leadership.

4. Alabama (May 7-9): The Alabama pitching staff that struggled last year may see harder times this season without ace Austin Hyatt (8-3, 3.76). Sophomore left-hander Adam Morgan (4-2, 4.17) will most likely take over as the ace of the staff after an impressive freshman season that was marred with arm injuries throughout. Junior right-hander Nathan Kilcrease (4-4, 4.11) was a key arm out of the bullpen last season and will prove to be important to the team again this year.

The Crimson Tide offense looks lethal again, even without key outfielder Kent Matthes. Sophomore outfielder Taylor Dugas (.352, 2, 27) will hit leadoff again this season and be the spark plug. Junior second baseman Ross Wilson (.353, 9, 47) will be the key bat in the middle of the order counted on to drive in runs.

5. Auburn: Similar to their instate rivals, the issues for the Tigers will come on the mound again this season. Sophomore right-hander Jon Luke Jacobs (3-4, 5.74) will be a key component of the starting rotation after a freshman year when he got plenty of experience. Junior left-hander Grant Dayton (2-6, 5.92) will also provide an experienced arm.

Junior outfielders Justin Hargett (.330, 4, 31) and Trent Mummey (.289, 15, 42) will provide two of the most important returning bats. Mummey is also a key component on the bases, going 17-20 in stolen bases last year. Junior first baseman Hunter Morris (.282, 12, 33) hasn’t lived up to expectations since choosing Auburn over a second-round pick by the Boston Red Sox, but he is eligible for the draft this year so the statistics could see a dramatic increase.

6. Mississippi State (March 19-21): Sophomore left-hander Nick Rout (5-3, 4.15) was one of the few bright spots for a disappointing season last year in Starkville. He will most likely start on Friday nights for them this season. Senior left-hander Tyler Whitney (3-4, 5.18) will most likely start on Saturdays and brings senior leadership to a young team.

Senior third baseman Connor Powers (.301, 19, 63) ironically was the team’s best home run hitter last season and will be a fixture in their lineup again in 2010. Senior catcher Ryan Duffy (.339, 10, 33) brings more leadership behind the plate for a pitching staff that will need some. His power bat also gives them another feared hitter in the lineup.

Recruiting Class of 2010 (already signed):

Karsten Whitson, RHP, 6-3, 190, Chipley, FL: The only way you can describe Whitson is by calling him a future star. Ranked by Prospectwire.com as the No. 2 player in the state and No. 4 in the country by Perfect Game, he has everything. He has the frame every pitcher wants, but he still has plenty of projection left in his body. I got to see him pitch on TV in the Aflac All-American and Under Armour All-American games over the summer, and he’s got an easy arm action that surprises hitters when he is throwing 92-94 mph. His second pitch is a slider that has late break to it, so it’s difficult for batters to make solid contact. The scariest part is he recently told me that his changeup has been his main focus over the offseason, and he is now completely comfortable with it. He seems almost guaranteed to go in the first round of this year’s draft, as I’ve seen him listed as high as a top-five overall pick, but he has maintained throughout the process that he would certainly like to come to Florida. Both of his parents graduated from UF, and he has been a Gator fan his entire life. When he’s looking over one million dollars in the face however, his tune could change.

Jacob Tillotson, INF, 6-0, 170, Lake City, FL Columbia: He is athletic enough to play the middle infield positions well and make consistent plays in the field. His athleticism will allow him to move around to different positions if it is needed. He is a switch hitter who is better from the left side, but his right-handed swing has plenty of potential to be effective at the next level. He isn’t the fastest player, but he gets the job done on the field with how smooth he plays. Prospectwire.com ranks him as the No. 22 player in the state of Florida in his class.

Robert Aviles, RHP, 6-4, 190, Suffern, NY: There are a lot of similarities to Whitson here in a kid that has a long, projectable frame and will most likely go high in the draft. I’ve seen him listed in the 20s for ranking of high school players heading into this draft, as well as other projections that he may go in the first round. Perfect Game lists him as the No. 21 player in the country. He sits in the low 90s and has confidence throwing any of his pitches. Like Whitson, he was also an Aflac All-American and Under Armour All-American. What I do know is that this kid wants to be a Gator. Similar to Whitson, it all comes down to how they react to the possibility of signing for over one million dollars.

Daniel Gibson, LHP, 6-3, 215, Tampa, FL Jesuit: Gibson comes to the Gators from one of the best programs in the state. He is a lefty that lives on location. He sits between 85-87 mph, sometimes bumping 88. He has even hit 91 mph at some tournaments, but those are only in two or three-inning outings. Prospectwire.com ranks Gibson as the No. 28 player in Florida, and Perfect Game recently put him as the No. 114 player in the country. His frame is less projectable than Aviles and Whitson, but he is a safe pitcher because you know what you are getting. He is a competitor on the mound.  He hides the ball well and will use mostly a fastball and slider. He seems to be a guy that will be difficult for left-handers to hit in college.

Zack Powers, 3B, 6-3, 190, Seffner, FL Armwood: Powers plays shortstop for his high school team but seems to project as a third baseman in college. He throws in the upper 80s off the mound, so the arm shouldn’t be an issue. The reason for the move is he probably won’t be fast enough to stay in the middle of the infield, as he has been timed from 7.2-7.3 seconds in the 60-yard sprint. His bat is very intriguing.  It is still a work in progress, but the tools are all there. Prospectwire.com ranks him as the No. 43 player in the state, but the third best third baseman.

John Barbato, RHP, 6-2, 190, The Hammocks, FL Valera Barbato is yet another elite level arm. Prospectwire.com ranks him as the seventh best player in the state. He sits in the low 90s with his fastball that has touched 94 and chose Florida over the hometown Hurricanes. His curveball and changeup are secondary pitches but both above average for high school prospects. Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 83 player in the country but people who have seen him pitch couldn’t disagree with that more.

Tyler Palmer, SS, 5-10, 180, Davie, FL University: I’ve used this phrase plenty of times with guys that O’Sullivan is recruiting, and it will continue for as long as he is here. Palmer is a “gamer.” He is a hard-nosed baseball player who isn’t scared to get dirty and get the job done. He has 6.7 60-yard dash speed, which isn’t amazing for a college middle infielder. It’s the same concept here where he has enough speed to get the job done. He just makes plays. His arm is good from shortstop, as he throws 86-90 mph off the mound as it is.

Alex Freedman, 2B, 5-9, 175, Davie, FL University: Freedman has played together with Palmer since the two were seven years old. Now they get to continue that in Gainesville. I have been informed that Freedman is actually coming in as a walk-on. He is a switch hitter who has good pop from both sides of the plate. He doesn’t have the incredible speed that you would expect from an undersized middle infielder, but just like Palmer, he has a knack for making plays that comes from his knowledge of the game. Even without elite speed, he has tremendous range at second base.

Keenan Kish, RHP, 6-3, 184, Worcester, PN Germantown: Kish was a late addition to this recruiting class, as he was originally committed to Wake Forest before switching. Perfect Game recently ranked him as the No. 73 high school player in the country. He is another pitcher with a projectable frame that could grow stronger with added weight. You should be sensing a theme at this point with the types of pitchers this staff likes to recruit. He uses a three-quarters arm slot and has an easy arm action. He touched 90 at a showcase, but this should go up when the added weight comes.

Jonathan Crawford, RHP, 6-2, 170, Okeechobee, FL: The right-hander has been somewhat of an unknown commodity as there isn’t much information out there on him. However, I know the Florida staff thinks very highly of Crawford. He sits in the upper 80s and he even touched 93 mph. Perfect Game recently ranked him No. 105 in the country. The main thing to like about Crawford is the potential in his arm. His arm is very loose, and I even heard from a good source that it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were throwing in the upper 90s at some point during his career.

Frank DeJiulio, RHP, 6-3, 205, Ocala, FL Daytona State College: The big right-hander gets his fastball into the low 90s and dominates hitters with it. Before attending Daytona State College, he graduated from Belleview High School. I would expect him to step in as a reliever for the Gators because of the starters who will return to Florida for their junior seasons next year. He was selected in the 44th round of the MLB Draft last year, but chose to stay in school and eventually head to Gainesville. He went 6-4 as a freshman at Daytona State College, but his numbers were affected because of a battle with mononucleosis that caused him to miss two months of preparation for the season.