Just picked up transfer catcher Carson Bowen from TCU. 308 average over three years 16 Homers 112 RBI’s Not getting Tinney
You think? His defensive numbers look really good. Who will be behind the plate, assuming Heyman is gone?
Hoping I’m wrong but do not see us taking three catchers and Texas and UT in play for Tinney means more $ than us. Again, hope I’m wrong but often times history repeats itself meaning I expect to see Tinney to commit Tennessee or Texas soon.
Agree. Bowen was TCU’s starting catcher at the start of last season but by the midway point, was moved to first base and that may very well be where he projects to play next season. Either way, he gives UF some lineup versatility and while not having the pop in his bat as most corner infielders, he gets on base and was actually hitting leadoff for TCU by the end of the year. Another nice pickup for UF.
Bowen and Malzone will play first/DH though. Money for Tinney a lot and gotta remember we are short on pitchers with 5 transferring out but more importantly, need a Sunday starter and at least one left-handed pitcher. Cannot go into the season with just Biemiller, Menendez, Hoyt, Blair, and Kurland. Gotta remember 3/5 are freshman.
He will play some 1b as I said but as of today he is clearly our best catcher on our team and that’s not close. Threw out 5/13 this year before hurt and 13/36 Freshman year.
I just looked at the MLB.com Top 200 draft prospects and the only current Gators on the list are Colby Shelton at #137, Bobby Boser at #183 and Jake Clemente at #184. Below is a link to our current high school commits. Unless I missed something, none of them are in the Top 200 on the MLB.com draft list. More position players than we normally sign and only 5 pitchers, although Kevin Roberts is a 2-way player. Interesting. Florida - Perfect Game Baseball Player College Commitments
At once a bad question but now I think a decent one- what’s up with Heyman. I had heard there may be some consideration for him return returning, but I thought no way but now hearing a maybe.
There are still moves to be made and this roster construction is far from complete. There are still some quality players left in the portal and also while a lot of people are assuming all our “major” draft eligible guys are going to sign, that may not necessarily be the case. Regarding a Sunday starter, I believe we have options with who is returning and who we are bringing in so I don’t expect getting another big arm. And while we have five LHP slated to be on campus next year, it would definitely be nice to find another guy with proven experience but again, those guys aren’t exactly growing on trees.
Two I consider insiders saying this young man is not coming to be a back up catcher. Agree with Stingbb that this is an excellent pick up. While not a ton of pop, he’s a good hitter and very solid defensively. Need dirt dogs that put bat on ball, are fundamentally sound, with good baseball IQ.
I don’t disagree about Sunday options with Watson and a couple of others already here but would sure be nice to break up all the right handers.
The link you show is our 2026 commits (not eligible to be drafted until next summer) and not our 2025 signees. Of the ‘25 signees, SS Jordan Yost is moving quickly up the draft boards and is a likely late first or second round pick. All the other signees should be on campus this summer.
