Gator Baseball 2024 OFFICIAL ROSTER/Transfer Tracker/Lineup???

I'm waiting to see the full roster when Fall practice begins in three months to comment.... but the guys we've lost this cycle will not be easy to replace. In my view, Langford is the best UF ballplayer in two decades- maybe the best ever, Waldrep arguably comparable to Faedo, Sproat comparable to Kowar, Rivera best overall since Martin (or Guthrie) and when you add BT, Halter and Abner to the mix.... Folks it is a very tall order to replace that level of talent in one go round. Here's hoping Sully can conjure some magic.
Looking forward to Fall scrimmages.

 

Players always have to be replaced. 2 years ago who thought Langford would have the success he did? Waldrep comparable to Faedo? Faedo was 28-6 in his 3 years with a career 2.80 ERA (2.26 his last year). Waldrep was 17-5 with a career 3.68 ERA (4.16 last year). Sorry but not close.
In 3 seasons Kowar was 25-6 with a career 3.53 ERA (3.04 ERA his last year) while Sproat was 19-8 with a career 4.27 ERA (4.66 his last year). Again not close. Really like those 2 but they are not comparable.
Hope the freshman step up!

 

Good research. That national championship year pitching staff was superior in every way to the 2023 Gator staff. You gave 2 perfect comparisons and there are others, like Neely vs. Byrne.
I'm adding to my original reply to support your post. Compare the 2017 3 weekend starters with this years and it's not even close. Singer, Faedo & Kowar vs. Sproat, Waldrep & Caglionone. Then look at Michael Byrne's 1.67 ERA and 19 saves. Then look at the other contributing pitchers of Dyson, Rubio, Horvath, McMullen, Milchin, etc. vs. Slater, Ficarrotta, Fisher, Abner, Purnell, etc. You'll see that the 2017 starters went much deeper into games on a regular basis and the bullpen didn't give up near as many runs as in 2023, plus Byrne was money with any kind of lead late.

 

As dominant as Byrne was he did lose 5 games in 2017 which is mind blowing

 

Agree with all of those comparisons. Singer, Faedo and Kowar all pitched in the majors this year, albeit the latter bounce down to AAA some of the time.

Reading the list of 2017 names makes me value Sully even more for the success he got from the 2023 team. I doubt that will eliminate the gripes.

 

I mean, we aren't combing through the portal for BP catchers...

 

Most of the guys at school have probably never caught a pitch over 85 mph or blocked a splitter
Speaking from experience, on occasion while working with the pitchers, I would catch some bullpens after practice (this is all-stars). Most of my guys were 80-85. I had a kid that was in our area over the summer. A leftie who threw 93-94 with a nasty slider. He wore me out in short order lol
Not sure what happened to that kid….don’t remember his name as that was 20 years ago.

 

I also had the experiences of catching my pitchers bullpens
at LCCC, Chipola, and Marianna HS. To try and add clarity I did not catch “work bullpens” as I was “hands on” with my pitchers during work or tune up bullpens.

I would catch (with gear on) our SP’s pregame pens as that allowed our other catchers to participate in the team pregame drills. Those velocities would definitely keep me on my toes. Alan was the top velocities that I handled at 94-98 but I had several 90-93 guys too.

 

I caught some warm ups in the '90s, but by the time the guys were 12, I had reached my limit.

 

LCCC? That program started the year after I graduated HS and a couple of my buddies played there. A girl I graduated with married their first coach.

 

When I was the pitching coach there Gary Nave was the HC. I was there 1985-1989.

Our best arm @ LCCC while I was there was RHP Mike Rebhan. I got to work with him for two years. He went on to UGA after LCCC and led their 1990 team to their CWS Championship—he was also named the MVP of that CWS.

 

I played Legion ball with him. I was CHS's 2nd baseman when Doyle Rooks was our SS. Bump was a great 2B at LCCC and I caught Dave Crummy at one point.

Jerri Shiver Knave is my buddy. Love her.

 

Ok, Rooks played 3rd base for us at LCCC. I worked out of the Lake City FHP station with his dad, Doyle Sr. Their family hails from Marianna/Jackson Co.

 

Yes sir. May he RIP.

 

Don't be discouraged they aren't making headlines. I think there will be at least a couple of unexpected faces at fall workouts. Even as it stands, this roster is good enough for a Super Regional. Development of talent is the big uncertainty, but quality of talent is not uncertain. If I had to pick someone to be a big surprise, it would be Max Brown, a big guy with big HS stats. He wasn't always dressed out and had spring football conflicts, but he might make a move to fulltime baseball. I'm probably wrong, but it won't be the first time. I can dream.

 

I'm really surprised we haven't added any more. We are woefully short in the OF and left side. Based on production from this past season and who is returning, our OF is scary BAD. Maybe we have another Wyatt buried in the depth chart. We shall see.

 

Sure hope so with your second sentence.