Roberto Pena, Brady McConnell and Cory Acton, left to right, are three-fourths of a young Gators infield without Blake Reese. (Photo: Alana Healy/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: An A-Rod Sighting and Observations from Opening Weekend
Monday, February 18, 2019 | Baseball, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Following Friday night's season-opening win against Long Beach State, a nearly four-hour game that is unlikely to be used as a promotional tool for either school – the teams combined to strand 22 runners and throw 348 pitches – Gators head coach Kevin O'Sullivan stood relaxed amidst the postgame media scrum.
The Gators won handily, 8-2, so O'Sullivan had the first victory of the season in his back pocket. He was also fully aware of what he had pulled from his back pocket and handed plate umpire Jason Bradley prior to the game: a lineup card that featured three true freshmen and a sophomore who barely played a season ago in the starting lineup.
In other words, a victory was a good start to the season regardless of how long it took or how it looked.
"There's no long speeches,'' O'Sullivan said. "Until you're out there and the lights go on and the umpire says 'play ball,' you can't simulate that in practice. This is the first go-round."
As the weekend progressed, both teams settled down and played a cleaner brand of ball. For the Gators that meant two more wins and a sweep.
O'Sullivan expects his team to endure more learning curves than usual because of Florida's inexperience. The newcomers were on display all weekend -- 11 players made their UF debuts in the opening series, including nine who had never played in a college game.
The good news is they haven't tasted defeat; the reality is there are 53 games remaining in the regular season and a run through the Southeastern Conference ahead. Like the Gators, seven other league schools opened the season with three-game sweeps, including SEC East foes Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.
Here are a few observations from the Gators' performance on opening weekend as they head into mid-week matchups at USF on Tuesday and at home against North Florida on Wednesday:
FABIAN'S FUNDAMENTALS
Freshman Jud Fabian started all three games in center field and showed why the Gators are glad he is here instead of playing his senior season at Trinity Catholic High in Ocala. After striking out his first two at-bats in the opener, Fabian collected his first career hit with a sixth-inning double. He finished the series 2-for-10 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. However, Fabian did his best work with his glove, covering a lot of ground to chase down fly balls. And he made one of the best plays in the series in Saturday's game when he charged a single up the middle by Dirtbags catcher Chris Jimenez. Fabian fielded the ball cleanly and then threw a strike home to nail Tanner Carlson trying to score from second. It's easy to see why the 18-year-old Fabian arrived on campus with some buzz about his all-around game. "I thought he played outstanding defensively,'' O'Sullivan said. "A very accurate arm. He always hits the cutoff man. Sound decisions when the ball is in his hand."
CRISP DELIVERY
If you have read this far, here is a warning: I am ditching all objectivity and confessing my fandom for freshman pitcher Nolan Crisp. After a strong preseason camp, Crisp earned the trust of O'Sullivan to open the season as Florida's closer. At 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Crisp won't scare any batters out of the box as he jogs in from the bullpen. But you instantly notice how quickly Crisp works and the way he comes right after hitters. "He's kind of a bulldog,'' O'Sullivan said. Crisp earned a save in his college debut in Saturday's win and came back Sunday to record another one. In Sunday's 3-1 win, Crisp took over in the ninth and immediately surrendered a double to leadoff hitter Calvin Estrada. No problem. He continued to attack hitters and retired the next three Dirtbags in order, clinching his fist as soon as the final out was recorded. Watching Crisp through a pair of binoculars from my perch in the press box was a treat. Crisp crunched his face and had his tongue hanging out at the peak of his delivery. He definitely looks the part on the mound. Like Fabian, Crisp is an 18-year-old who instead of playing his senior season at Locust Grove (Ga.) High, opted to start his college career early. Another reason to like Crisp? His favorite movie is "Major League," which stars the greatest closer in the game's history other than for a recent first-ballot Hall of Famer.
BRADY'S BAT
Shortstop Brady McConnell was one of the most heralded newcomers on last year's team but was unable to match the hype due to a slow start and eventual season-ending injury. McConnell appears a much more polished player as a sophomore and needed only three games to surpass his hit total (three) from his freshman season. McConnell went 5-for-12 in the series with a double and RBI. McConnell singled in his first at-bat on Friday and came around to score the Gators' first run of the season on Wil Dalton's two-run single. McConnell hit only .136 (3-for-22) in nine games last season and committed three errors. Other than for a questionable error that was later changed to a hit in the opener, McConnell flashed a steady glove in the series and started the season exactly the way the Gators hoped. "He needed that. Obviously we needed it, but he needed it even more so for his confidence,'' O'Sullivan said. "He certainly played up to his physical tools."
REESE REINJURES SHOULDER
Senior second baseman Blake Reese is the veteran leader of an infield that has McConnell at short, freshmen Cory Acton and Roberto Pena at third, sophomore Brady Smith at catcher and freshman Kendrick Calilao at first. As you can imagine, O'Sullivan showed concern Sunday when Reese injured his shoulder after diving for a ground ball. Reese had to leave the game in the sixth inning and was replaced by Acton, who after starting the first two games at third, gave way to Pena on Sunday. O'Sullivan said Reese's shoulder popped out of its socket on the play, an injury he also suffered in last season's Super Regional against Auburn. Reese is unlikely to play in the pair of mid-week games but the Gators don't expect it to keep him sidelined for long. "He's going to be sore for the next couple of days,'' O'Sullivan said.
VETERAN ADVICE
Senior outfielder Nelson Maldonado has always been a cool customer and with so many new teammates making their debuts, Maldonado offered some veteran advice. "Nothing to really freak out about,'' he told anyone who would listen. The newcomers apparently got the message, especially the young pitchers. Six UF hurlers made their Gators debut in the series – true freshmen Crisp, Ben Specht, Kris Armstrong and Christian Scott, redshirt freshman Hunter Ruth and sophomore transfer Justin Alintoff – and not a single one allowed a run. Overall, the group combined to pitch 8 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
SHAKY START
The opening-night battery of right-hander Tyler Dyson and Smith had some issues. Dyson lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his first go-round as the Friday-night starter. A high pitch count and not enough quality pitches served as his downfall. Half of Dyson's 72 pitches were balls and he walked four to go along with four strikeouts. Coming off a shoulder injury that limited him in 2018, Dyson's ineffectiveness turned into a minor storyline considering the way fellow starters Tommy Mace and Jack Leftwich pitched over the weekend. Dyson gets another turn against Miami this weekend to regain the form he showed as a freshman. Meanwhile, Smith had a pair of passed balls and dropped a foul ball near third base that should have been Acton's play to make. He did pick up a pair of RBI in Florida's four-run first inning with a line-drive single to left and played better defensively in Saturday's victory. Smith rested Sunday as another UF newcomer, junior transfer Santino Miozzi, started behind the plate. Miozzi transferred to UF from Florida Southwest Community College and collected his first hit with a fourth-inning double. He scored on McConnell's RBI double.
FINAL THOUGHT
What was A-Rod doing at McKethan Stadium? Scouting for his hometown Hurricanes before they come to town for a three-game series this weekend? And, most importantly, where was J-Lo?
The Gators won handily, 8-2, so O'Sullivan had the first victory of the season in his back pocket. He was also fully aware of what he had pulled from his back pocket and handed plate umpire Jason Bradley prior to the game: a lineup card that featured three true freshmen and a sophomore who barely played a season ago in the starting lineup.
In other words, a victory was a good start to the season regardless of how long it took or how it looked.
"There's no long speeches,'' O'Sullivan said. "Until you're out there and the lights go on and the umpire says 'play ball,' you can't simulate that in practice. This is the first go-round."
As the weekend progressed, both teams settled down and played a cleaner brand of ball. For the Gators that meant two more wins and a sweep.
O'Sullivan expects his team to endure more learning curves than usual because of Florida's inexperience. The newcomers were on display all weekend -- 11 players made their UF debuts in the opening series, including nine who had never played in a college game.
The good news is they haven't tasted defeat; the reality is there are 53 games remaining in the regular season and a run through the Southeastern Conference ahead. Like the Gators, seven other league schools opened the season with three-game sweeps, including SEC East foes Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia.
Here are a few observations from the Gators' performance on opening weekend as they head into mid-week matchups at USF on Tuesday and at home against North Florida on Wednesday:
FABIAN'S FUNDAMENTALS
Freshman Jud Fabian started all three games in center field and showed why the Gators are glad he is here instead of playing his senior season at Trinity Catholic High in Ocala. After striking out his first two at-bats in the opener, Fabian collected his first career hit with a sixth-inning double. He finished the series 2-for-10 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. However, Fabian did his best work with his glove, covering a lot of ground to chase down fly balls. And he made one of the best plays in the series in Saturday's game when he charged a single up the middle by Dirtbags catcher Chris Jimenez. Fabian fielded the ball cleanly and then threw a strike home to nail Tanner Carlson trying to score from second. It's easy to see why the 18-year-old Fabian arrived on campus with some buzz about his all-around game. "I thought he played outstanding defensively,'' O'Sullivan said. "A very accurate arm. He always hits the cutoff man. Sound decisions when the ball is in his hand."
CRISP DELIVERY
If you have read this far, here is a warning: I am ditching all objectivity and confessing my fandom for freshman pitcher Nolan Crisp. After a strong preseason camp, Crisp earned the trust of O'Sullivan to open the season as Florida's closer. At 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Crisp won't scare any batters out of the box as he jogs in from the bullpen. But you instantly notice how quickly Crisp works and the way he comes right after hitters. "He's kind of a bulldog,'' O'Sullivan said. Crisp earned a save in his college debut in Saturday's win and came back Sunday to record another one. In Sunday's 3-1 win, Crisp took over in the ninth and immediately surrendered a double to leadoff hitter Calvin Estrada. No problem. He continued to attack hitters and retired the next three Dirtbags in order, clinching his fist as soon as the final out was recorded. Watching Crisp through a pair of binoculars from my perch in the press box was a treat. Crisp crunched his face and had his tongue hanging out at the peak of his delivery. He definitely looks the part on the mound. Like Fabian, Crisp is an 18-year-old who instead of playing his senior season at Locust Grove (Ga.) High, opted to start his college career early. Another reason to like Crisp? His favorite movie is "Major League," which stars the greatest closer in the game's history other than for a recent first-ballot Hall of Famer.
BRADY'S BAT
Shortstop Brady McConnell was one of the most heralded newcomers on last year's team but was unable to match the hype due to a slow start and eventual season-ending injury. McConnell appears a much more polished player as a sophomore and needed only three games to surpass his hit total (three) from his freshman season. McConnell went 5-for-12 in the series with a double and RBI. McConnell singled in his first at-bat on Friday and came around to score the Gators' first run of the season on Wil Dalton's two-run single. McConnell hit only .136 (3-for-22) in nine games last season and committed three errors. Other than for a questionable error that was later changed to a hit in the opener, McConnell flashed a steady glove in the series and started the season exactly the way the Gators hoped. "He needed that. Obviously we needed it, but he needed it even more so for his confidence,'' O'Sullivan said. "He certainly played up to his physical tools."
REESE REINJURES SHOULDER
Senior second baseman Blake Reese is the veteran leader of an infield that has McConnell at short, freshmen Cory Acton and Roberto Pena at third, sophomore Brady Smith at catcher and freshman Kendrick Calilao at first. As you can imagine, O'Sullivan showed concern Sunday when Reese injured his shoulder after diving for a ground ball. Reese had to leave the game in the sixth inning and was replaced by Acton, who after starting the first two games at third, gave way to Pena on Sunday. O'Sullivan said Reese's shoulder popped out of its socket on the play, an injury he also suffered in last season's Super Regional against Auburn. Reese is unlikely to play in the pair of mid-week games but the Gators don't expect it to keep him sidelined for long. "He's going to be sore for the next couple of days,'' O'Sullivan said.
VETERAN ADVICE
Senior outfielder Nelson Maldonado has always been a cool customer and with so many new teammates making their debuts, Maldonado offered some veteran advice. "Nothing to really freak out about,'' he told anyone who would listen. The newcomers apparently got the message, especially the young pitchers. Six UF hurlers made their Gators debut in the series – true freshmen Crisp, Ben Specht, Kris Armstrong and Christian Scott, redshirt freshman Hunter Ruth and sophomore transfer Justin Alintoff – and not a single one allowed a run. Overall, the group combined to pitch 8 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.
SHAKY START
The opening-night battery of right-hander Tyler Dyson and Smith had some issues. Dyson lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his first go-round as the Friday-night starter. A high pitch count and not enough quality pitches served as his downfall. Half of Dyson's 72 pitches were balls and he walked four to go along with four strikeouts. Coming off a shoulder injury that limited him in 2018, Dyson's ineffectiveness turned into a minor storyline considering the way fellow starters Tommy Mace and Jack Leftwich pitched over the weekend. Dyson gets another turn against Miami this weekend to regain the form he showed as a freshman. Meanwhile, Smith had a pair of passed balls and dropped a foul ball near third base that should have been Acton's play to make. He did pick up a pair of RBI in Florida's four-run first inning with a line-drive single to left and played better defensively in Saturday's victory. Smith rested Sunday as another UF newcomer, junior transfer Santino Miozzi, started behind the plate. Miozzi transferred to UF from Florida Southwest Community College and collected his first hit with a fourth-inning double. He scored on McConnell's RBI double.
FINAL THOUGHT
What was A-Rod doing at McKethan Stadium? Scouting for his hometown Hurricanes before they come to town for a three-game series this weekend? And, most importantly, where was J-Lo?
Had a blast playing a little wall ball with these boys the other day. They love the game like I do, and I remember playing this for hours and hours as a kid in Miami. Spring training is here and spring games are next week. One of my favorite times of the year! #PlayBall pic.twitter.com/i0QcsPscEi
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) February 18, 2019
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