GAINESVILLE, Fla. – With less than two weeks remaining until the Gators open the 2019 season, the current squad will get a tune-up against some familiar faces on Saturday.
Twenty-three former Florida baseball players are scheduled to participate in Saturday's Alumni Scrimmage at 6 p.m. at McKethan Stadium.
Batting practice will begin at 3:50 p.m. with first pitch at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Jeff Cardozo, the voice of Gators baseball, will be on hand to interview alumni during the game. Several participating players are currently playing in the minor leagues and four players (Kevin Chapman, Matt den Dekker, Matt LaPorta, Justin Shafer) have reached the Major League level during their career.
In addition to the scrimmage, fans will have an opportunity to take photos with the 2017 National Championship Trophy and 2018 SEC Championship Trophy. Schedule cards and posters for the 2019 season will be available as well as games and activities for fans on the concourse.
The scrimmage will be a full nine innings. Current UF players may fill in vacant positions on the Alumni roster as needed.
ALUMNI SCHEDULED TO PARTICIPATE:
INF
Josh Adams (2008-11) – Career .305 hitter over a school-record 253 games played; 13th Round pick by the Florida Marlins
OF
Avery Barnes (2006-09) – Two-time All-SEC selection; 11th Round selection by Colorado Rockies
RHP
Billy Bullock (2007-09) – Made 67 career appearances on the mound; posted a 2.64 ERA in his junior season with 11 saves; drafted in the 2nd round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins
LHP
Kevin Chapman (2007-10) – Had a 1.65 ERA over 31 appearances his final season; 4th Round pick by the Kansas City Royals, made MLB Debut in 2013 with the Houston Astros
OF
Matt den Dekker (2007-10) – Two-time All-SEC selection; 5th Round pick of New York Mets, made MLB Debut in 2013 with the New York Mets
C
Mike Fahrman (2012-15) – Played in 47 career games with 10 RBI; four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection
C
Teddy Foster (2005-09) – Played in 76 career games with 43 starts; hit .321 as a senior with 7 home runs and 25 RBI
C
Mark Kolozsvary (2015-17) – Played in 78 games with 39 starts and hit .272 in his career; had 3 homers and 26 RBI in his junior season; drafted in the 7th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds
1B
Matt LaPorta (2004-07) – Two-time SEC Player of the Year had a .323 career average and still holds the school record with 74 career home runs; 1st round MLB Draft pick in 2007 and played in 291 games with the Cleveland Indians
RHP
Johnny Magliozzi (2012-13) – Posted a 3.46 ERA over 101.1 career innings; Recorded 12 saves in 2013 and was drafted in the 17th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the New York Mets
OF
Daniel Pigott (2009-12) – Played in 243 career games with 207 starts and batted .310 with 124 RBI; Selected in the 9th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds
OF
Jonathan Piggott (2007-10) – Played in 197 games in his career; hit .357 as a junior in 2009
INF
Vickash Ramjit (2011-13) – Played in 156 games with a .295 career average
RHP
Hudson Randall (2010-12) – Former Friday night ace had a 2.62 ERA over 52 starts; 7th Round pick by the Detroit Tigers
RHP
Aaron Rhodes (2013-15) – Made 50 appearances with a 3.20 ERA; 28th round pick of the Los Angeles Angels
LHP
Paco Rodriguez (2010-12) – Registered a 2.19 ERA over 86 appearances at UF; 2nd Round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers who reached the Majors the same year he played in the College World Series (2012)
OF
Justin Shafer (2012-14) – Two-way player played in 144 games and had 33 appearances on the mound; 8th Round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays who made his MLB Debut in 2018
OF
Bryson Smith (2010-11) – Played in 93 games over two seasons; hit .328 his senior year with 40 runs scored; selected in the 34th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds
OF
Tyler Thompson (2009-12) – Played in 154 games with a .280 career average
RHP
Tommy Toledo (2008-11) – Made 55 appearances with 20 starts in his career at UF, posting a 4.27 ERA in 124.1 innings; selected in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers
INF
Jon Townsend (2007-08) – Hit .282 in his career over 116 games playing shortstop and third base
INF
Casey Turgeon (2012-14) – Played in 187 career games with 186 starts and had 95 career RBI; selected in the 24th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals
LHP
Danny Young (2013-15) – Career 2.91 ERA over 67 appearances; 8th Round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays
