2026 baseball roster thread

D1Bsb had a little article about "The Official Transfer Portal Event For College Baseball Players." I might have heard it mentioned last year, but definitely didn't pay attention. It seems a good way for players to find homes and an opportunity for teams, as well. It also reminds me that the new money rules that reward players for their special tallents, also will enrich a new group of entrepreneurs, scammers and other hangers-on. I perceive this sort of tryout camp won't be a primay target for top programs, but their may be some budding talent, ready to be plucked.

Portal Games

 

Sounds just like what Sully needs as a change of pace from all his 6'5" flamethrowers that rarely have control. Sandifer is a veteran guy that throws hard enough, doesn't walk too many and keeps the ball in the ballpark.

 

jd—

I too think that different arm angles/looks are vital for a staff that can endure the challenges of weekend series.

I have to respect any decisions Sully makes when it comes to roster personnel but I remain hesitant to take on a guy that’s been to three different schools three years in a row.

I can understand someone saying one time I made a mistake coming here—that said, three times in three years reeks of what’s in it for me…that’s not the preferred attitude/approach for team play.

I hope whatever decisions bring players our way are for the right reasons.

 

What was the consensus of opinion as to expectations on Aidan King, both coming out of high school and then after fall practice?

 

According to Perfect Game, King was the #432 national recruit, & #137 RHP. In the state of Florida, they showed him as the #66 overall recruit, #13 RHP. But then in January of this year, Perfect Game put out their list of the Top 75 freshmen in the country and they had moved King up to #25 overall. I can't find any explanation for the huge bump, but he turned out to be the real deal.

 

Thanks for this info. I was really wondering what our people (insiders/knowledgeable fans/etc) were thinking we would see from him this year.

 

The information that I had available to me was initially that King was going to be a good one. Depending on how he developed and matured he would have a real chance to be an impact pitcher as a freshman.

What I saw was the guy on our staff that used more ol’school mechanics throughout his delivery than anyone else.

He came in with a real idea of how to pitch. I mean by that as much as anything he knew how to pitch with both the two seamer and the four seamer. FB’s were two pitches for him.

His breaking ball, split, and change up all gained leverage as the season progressed.

Mechanically he had only two things that he had to stay on top of—occasionally his throwing elbow would get just a bit out front and his front side would fly open a hair early sometimes. And as it was a pleasure to watch him throughout the season he did a great job of keeping his mechanics in check.

Again, tip of the cap.

 

I didn't see him pitch in high school nor during Fall ball. But when I did get to see him on the bump I knew this guy could pitch. He doesn't over power hitters with his low to mid 90's on his four seamer but doesn't need to over power hitters if he has command of two seamer and shows his four seamer on occasion at or above the top of the strike zone.

An he has some armside motion and sink on his two seamer.

Changing speeds and eye level is what pitching is all about. And NEVER throwing a pitch that the hitter wants.

 

Maybe a different perspective to give Mr. Sandefer. I get if a player jumps around major D1 schools or in competitive situations, that should be questioned. In his case, going from St. Leo, to UCF, to Florida, is a move up in every step. I prefer to give the kid credit for moving his way up in competitive levels. Sure you might say he didn't have the best confidence in himself out of HS, but in each school, it seems he went to work and made himself better. It will be interesting to see if he can do it again here at Florida.

 

Because the knuckball is almost impossible to consistently replicate.

When thrown well it's extremely difficult to hit.
When not .... BAA is ugly.

 

Right now we're discussing ok but far from Blue Chip players from the Portal. Gotta up our game. We should be going hard after Carson Tinney, ND Catcher. He's from Colorado and likely will pick a school closer to home than UF but does anyone have any info on on where he may land?

 

Uf is all over Tinney, but so are a number of elite programs. Some with more $$

 

Thanks APK -
Man that would be a huge get. .348, 17HR, 53RBI. Plus .991 fielding (only 3 errors) and threw out 17/25 SB attempts. Not a bad stat sheet.

 

Has Luke Heyman announced whether or not he's coming back? Kurland? Coppola? I've seen speculation on message boards, but haven't seen anything doming directly from them.