Former Coastal Carolina Catcher Transfers to Florida

In the midst of a College World Series run, Kevin O'Sullivan and the rest of the staff have maintained their eye to the future, pulling in another transfer who will join the program next season.

Graphic Credit Brenden Martin

Former Coastal Carolina catcher Tanner Garrison announced his intentions to transfer to Florida on Monday.

Garrison was Coastal's starting catcher for 16 games throughout the 2023 season, batting .275 with 20 RBIs and six home runs. This past year was his most productive season at the plate, despite starting fewer games than he had the year prior.

Throughout his four-year career with the Chanticleers, Garrison started 56 of the 96 games he played in earning a career average of .257 while adding 53 RBIs.

Despite a somewhat productive career at the plate, it is Garrison's defensive ability behind the plate that stands out with most with his addition.

He boasts an impressive .992 career fielding percentage, with just five errors charged to him throughout four seasons behind the dish. Additionally, he was the best rated pitch-framer across all D-1 catchers which will greatly benefit next year's pitching staff.

Garrison is not the first catcher to come to the Gators after a stint with Coastal Carolina. As Florida fans may happily remember, BT Riopelle began his career with the Chanticleers. Riopelle played three seasons with Coastal earning All-Sun Belt Second Team honors in 2021.

Although Riopelle's Chanticleer career was a little more productive than Garrison's it's hard to ignore the success that Gators have had with transfer catchers in the past.

The Gators are in need of depth at the catcher portion with the departure of three backstops, including Riopelle, at the conclusion of the 2023 season. Backup catchers Rene Lastres and Salvy Alvarez have entered the transfer portal, which leaves the Gators with Luke Heyman as the only potential catcher on the roster. However, Heyman has predominantly been a first baseman and designated hitter through this year's campaign.

It seems likely that Florida will look to add at least one more catcher, depending on their plans for Heyman.

Garrison is the second transfer the Gators have picked up this offseason, joining former UCLA pitcher Kelly Austin.