Gators Baseball Hopes To Rebound After Disappointing 2021 Season. Needs To Improve Defense.
Deric Fabian, a local player from Ocala and the younger brother of Jud Fabian, impressed coaches and fans during the fall season. Fabian hit home runs in each of a two-game series fall scrimmage against Georgia Southern.
By BENNETT SOLOMON
GatorBait Staff Writer
The 2022 Florida Gator baseball begins in just under a month, with the team hitting the field under the lights to take on the Liberty Flames Feb. 18. Coming off a season with high expectations but multiple disappointments, the Gators hope to make it past the opening round of the NCAA tournament, all the way to Omaha for the College World Series.
With multiple key players heading to the draft over the offseason and several new faces looking to fill voids on the field, here’s what to look out for on the 2022 season:
The Gators enter the season ranked ninth in the country, according to D1Baseball’s preseason Top 25. With 19 returning players from last season’s squad and 17 newcomers, the Coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s team enters a loaded SEC with hopes of living up to preseason expectations, unlike last season.
The team will have its hands full throughout the season, as the SEC consists of eight teams in the top-25 and six ranked in the top 10. Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and LSU all rank in the top 10 to begin the season. The Gators will face four of those top ten teams this season, hosting Arkansas and LSU while hitting the road to face reigning national champions Mississippi State and runner-up Vanderbilt.
The Gators were able to bring in the top-ranked recruiting class, according to Perfect Game. One transfer and 16 freshmen highlight the Gators incoming class, with left-handed pitcher Pierce Coppola leading the young group as the 10th best freshman on Perfect Game’s Top 75 list.
Deric Fabian, a local player from Ocala and the younger brother of Jud Fabian, impressed coaches and fans during the fall season. Fabian hit home runs in each of a two-game fall series scrimmage against Georgia Southern. With shortstop Josh Rivera returning to the Gators, Fabian will most likely compete for the starting third base job.
With the talented incoming class, they will be joining an experienced group of 19 returning players. Hunter Barco, Jud Fabian, Kendrick Calilao, Kris Armstrong, Colby Halter, and Sterlin Thompson are the main players returning to the Gators lineup after receiving a vast amount of playing time during the 2021 season.
"The Little Brother" Deric Fabian carries a big stick, too. (UAA photo)
Barco, a left-handed pitcher, will be the ace for the Gators pitching staff after ending the 2021 season in dominant fashion. Coming off a 10-win season with a 4.01 ERA and 94 strikeouts, Barco was named to the preseason Perfect Game All-American first-team. The southpaw from Jacksonville is also listed in the top-100 MLB Draft prospect list, according to MLB Pipeline.
Barco struggled at the beginning of the season in 2021, but after successful performances in SEC play, he was handed the ball during the biggest games near the end of the season. Barco will be tasked with pitching in Friday night games against powerhouse SEC teams, hoping to give the Gators a series advantage heading into Saturday and Sunday.
Outfielder Jud Fabian is another key returnee for the Gators and was also placed on the preseason Perfect Game All-American first-team. Passing up a signing bonus for $1.8M with the Red Sox to play with his brother. Jud led the Gators last year with 21 home runs. However, Fabian’s batting average was just .249 in 59 games.
Just like Barco, Fabian struggled during the beginning of the season, but improved as the season went on. Against Vanderbilt, Fabian hit two home runs off No. 2 overall pick Jack Leiter in Game 2 of the series. Fabian will be looking to lead the Gators offensively after deciding to return for one final year and joins strong group of outfielders.
Senior first-baseman Kris Armstrong is one of the infielders that decided to return for another season. In 43 games played in 2021, Armstrong had an impressive batting average of .289 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs. Additionally, Armstrong was one of few Gator infielders to stay consistent in the field throughout the year. The big first baseman only made two errors, while the team suffered defensively throughout the season, committing 70 errors to lead the SEC.
Experts say that as usual, Florida definitely has the talent to compete for an SEC title and College World Series slot this year. If the Gators can remain consistent in the field and stay forceful at the plate, this team could see itself hosting another regional and hopefully packing their bags to Omaha in June.
Do we have enough quality pitching past Barco? That seems to be an unanswered question.