Three Gators named Freshman All-Americans

Even in a shortened season the Florida Gators baseball team made an impact, including three newcomers.

Florida freshmen Hunter Barco, Tyler Nesbitt, and Nathan Hickey were all named Freshmen All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Barco was a high-end draft prospect that quickly earned the Sunday starter job with the Gators. Barco finished the 2020 season with a 2-0 record and a 1.40 ERA. He struck out 26 batters to just six walks in 19.1 innings.

Hickey is another freshman that found a starting role. The catcher/designated hitter hit .311 with four home runs, two doubles and batted in seven. Hickey had a streak of four consecutive games with a home run.

Nesbitt worked mainly out of the bullpen for the Gators. He made five appearances, including one start. Nesbitt didn’t allow an earned run over 11.2 innings of work, while striking out 17 batters to just three walks and seven hits.

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC