New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) hits a three run home run during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on Jul 24, 2022.
Gators in the Pros: July 29
Friday, July 29, 2022 | Baseball
As the 2022 Major League Baseball season transitions through the Trade Deadline with the arrival of August, 13 Gators can be found in the big leagues while another 23 former Florida players hold status on Minor League rosters.
The Orange & Blue lay claim to a lengthy history of producing MLB talent, as 80 Gators have reached the sport's ultimate level – a total that has steadily risen during the 2022 season thanks to the debuts of catcher Mark Kolozsvary (Cincinnati Reds), right-handed pitcher Alex Faedo (Detroit Tigers) and left-hander Danny Young (Seattle Mariners). Dating back to the start of Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan's tenure in 2008, 28 Gators have made it to The Show.
Of the 23 Gators currently competing in affiliated MiLB, 14 are positioned on either Triple-A or Double-A rosters. With those numbers, it is only a matter of time before the next generation of Gators receive the call to the MLB.
Gators in the MLB
Pete Alonso | 1B | New York Mets | UF 2014-16
2022: .281/.357/.547, 26 HR, 18 2B, 84 RBI, 55 R, 37 BB, 154 OPS+ (97 G – 360 AB)
Although Alonso came up short in defending his back-to-back Home Run Derby titles this July, he earned his second-career All-Star Game nod thanks to a league-leading 84 RBI and career-high 154 OPS+ to go along with 26 homers – which rank third in the National League. Alonso has been a pillar in the Mets' strong season, helping to power the team to a 61-37 record and a firm grasp of first place in the NL East.
Harrison Bader | OF | St. Louis Cardinals | UF 2013-15
2022: .256/.303/.370, 5 HR, 3 3B, 7 2B, 21 RBI, 35 R, 13 BB, 5 SB (72 G – 246 AB)
Coming off a Gold Glove 2021 campaign, Bader has tied his career high with 15 steals while playing in 72 games for the second-place Cardinals, who are currently tied with Philadelphia for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Holding true to his calling card, Bader owns a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with three outfield assists over 177 defensive chances in center field this season.
Anthony DeSclafani | RHP | San Francisco Giants | UF 2009-11
2022: 0-2, 5 GS, 19.0 IP, 6.63 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 4 BB, 17 K
In the first year of a three-year, 36-million-dollar contract, Desclafani's season concluded after just 19 frames of work due to season-ending ankle surgery on June 12. With a four-to-five month timetable for recovery, DeSclafani projects to be ready for the start of Spring Training in 2023.
Dane Dunning | RHP | Texas Rangers | UF 2014-16
2022: 1-6, 19 GS, 100.2 IP, 4.38 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 40 BB, 89 K, 90 ERA+
Although Texas enters the weekend nearly 10 games out of playoff contention, Dunning has been one of the more reliable arms on the staff. Pitching in his third MLB season, the right-hander is on track to set career highs in starts, innings and strikeouts.
Alex Faedo | RHP | Detroit Tigers | UF 2015-17
2022 (MLB): 1-5, 12 GS, 53.2 IP, 5.53 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 25 BB, 44 K, 71 ERA+
2022 (MiLB): 2-1, 4 G, 2 GS, 15.2 IP, 1.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 3 BB, 20 K
Faedo became the 79th Gator to make it to the MLB and the 27th former player to do so under O'Sullivan, debuting with the Tigers on May 4, 2022. He fired five innings of two-run ball in his first big-league start. Unfortunately, Faedo's rookie year came to a halt after 53 2/3 frames, as he was forced to undergo season-ending hip surgery.
Jonathan India | INF | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2016-18
2022: .235/.301/.374, 6 HR, 7 2B, 21 R, 20 RBI, 9 BB, 2 SB, 82 OPS+ (46 G – 179 AB)
Due to the injury bug, India's sophomore campaign has been more or less a lost season on the heels of 2021 NL Rookie of the Year honors. India is finally returning to form since returning from the most-recent injury to his ankle, batting .306 with four home runs, four doubles, 12 runs and 11 RBI across 15 games from July 7 through July 27.
Mark Kolozsvary | C | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2015-17
2022 (MLB): .177/.177/.471, 1 HR, 2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI (9 G – 17 AB)
2022 (MiLB): .188/.317/.306, 2 HR, 4 2B, 12 R, 8 RBI, 11 BB (28 G – 85 AB)
Kolozsvary was the first Gator to make his MLB debut in 2022, doing so on April 20. As the 78th Gator to appear in the MLB and the 26th player to do so under O'Sullivan, Kolozsvary was subsequently demoted but received another call-up on July 23. The former Olympian clubbed his first MLB homer later that same day vs. St. Louis.
Jackson Kowar | RHP | Kansas City Royals | UF 2016-18
2022 (MLB): 0-0, 6 G, 15.1 IP, 8.80 ERA, 2.22 WHIP, 9 BB, 17 K
2022 (Triple-A): 3-6, 12 GS, 55.1 IP, 6.34 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 23 BB, 62 K
Kowar was recently recalled from Triple-A on July 27, marking his second stint with Kansas City of the 2022 season. He saw action out of the bullpen in six games the first time around, most notably churning out a 10.0 K/9 across 15 1/3 frames.
Darren O'Day | RHP | Atlanta Braves | UF 2003-06
2022: 2-2, 28 G, 21.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 10 BB, 26 K, 104 ERA+
Pitching in his 15th MLB season, O'Day is having another above-average year as evidenced by a 104 ERA+. If that mark holds, 2022 would mark O'Day's 13th campaign performing above league average on the mound. All told, he has compiled a career 2.59 ERA and 167 ERA+ across 644 appearances spanning 609 innings.
A.J. Puk | LHP | Oakland Athletics | UF 2014-16
2022: 2-1, 2 SV, 38 G, 42.1 IP, 2.13 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 8 BB, 44 K, 176 ERA+
Puk appears to have found a sustainable role in the big leagues as a high-leverage member of the Oakland bullpen, where he has pitched 76% above league average this season. The left-hander already set career highs in innings and strikeouts, while his current ERA, WHIP and ERA+ would all mark personal bests as well.
Brady Singer | RHP | Kansas City Royals | UF 2016-18
2022 (MLB): 4-3, 16 G, 13 GS, 84.2 IP, 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 21 BB, 91 K, 117 ERA+
2022 (Triple-A): 1-0, 3 GS, 13.2 IP, 3.29 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 4 BB, 11K
Singer has spent the bulk of the season with the big-league club in Kansas City, where he has enjoyed his most-productive year to date. All but three of Singer's 16 appearances have come as a starter, while his 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.2 walks per nine are both career bests. He is coming off the best outing of his career, having held the first-place Yankees to one hit across seven shutout innings in the Bronx while striking out 10 batters.
Kirby Snead | LHP | Oakland Athletics | UF 2014-16
2022 (MLB): 1-0, 24 G, 22.0 IP, 6.55 ERA, 2.14 WHIP, 17 BB, 20 K, 58 ERA+
2022 (Triple-A): 2-0, 1 SV, 11 G, 13.2 IP, 4.61 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 3 BB, 20 K
Snead has been up with Oakland since June 21 after opening the campaign in Triple-A, but he has been unable to replicate the same success he did as a rookie with Toronto in 2021, when he pitched to a 2.35 ERA in a 7 2/3-inning cameo. This is the southpaw's first go-around with the Athletics after being shipped out of Toronto this past offseason in a trade package for All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman.
Mike Zunino | C | Tampa Bay Rays | UF 2010-12
2022: .148/.195/.304, 5 HR, 3 2B, 16 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB, 44 OPS+ (36 G – 115 AB)
After earning his first-career All-Star nod last season thanks to a 33-homer breakout, Zunino had a down year in 2022 that was exacerbated by reports of season-ending shoulder surgery near the end of July. Zunino should be ready to go for the 2023 campaign, but enters the offseason as an impending free agent.
Gators in Triple-A
Shaun Anderson | RHP | Triple-A | Buffalo Bisons | Toronto Blue Jays | UF 2014-16
2022 (MLB): 0-0, 1 G, 1.0 IP, 18.00 ERA, 4.00 WHIP, 0 BB, 0 K
2022 (Triple-A): 2-1, 20 G, 8 GS, 56.2 IP, 3.81 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 20 BB, 52 K
Anderson has made one appearance at the big-league level for Toronto this season while pitching in 20 games for Triple-A Buffalo. The right-hander has performed well across 56 2/3 frames for the Bisons as evidenced by a 3.81 ERA.
Taylor Gushue | C | Triple-A | Rochester Red Wings | Washington Nationals | UF 2012-14
2022 (MiLB): .242/.367/.436, 8 HR, 8 2B, 30 RBI, 20 R, 32 BB (53 G – 165 AB)
After making his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2021, Gushue elected free agency at the conclusion of the season and latched on with the Washington Nationals organization. Gushue received an invitation to Spring Training and was assigned to Double-A Harrisburg out of camp. He was promoted to Triple-A Rochester on May 10 after batting .262/.416/.607 across 19 games at Double-A.
Dalton Guthrie | INF | Triple-A | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Philadelphia Phillies | UF 2015-17
2021 (Triple-A): .280/.332/.456, 8 HR, 18 2B, 39 R, 36 RBI, 15 BB, 13 SB (66 G – 239 AB)
As one of the closest Gators to reaching the big leagues, Guthrie has played all of 2022 at the Triple-A level. Guthrie's performance suggests that a call could be in store at the tail-end of the year, thanks to a .788 OPS and the fact that he has logged innings at every position other than catcher and first base this season.
Eric Hanhold | RHP | Triple-A | Indianapolis Indians | Pittsburgh Pirates | UF 2013-15
2022: 2-1, 3 SV, 27 G, 33.1 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 18 BB, 30 K
Since being claimed off waivers from Baltimore last November by Pittsburgh, Hanhold has spent the entirety of his time at Triple-A. Hanhold pitched in the big leagues as recently as last season and his current 4.32 ERA marks his lowest at any level since 2019.
Nelson Maldonado | OF | Triple-A | Iowa Cubs | Chicago Cubs | UF 2016-19
2022 (MiLB): .266/.313/.427, 7 HR, 22 2B, 43 RBI, 32 R, 19 BB, 3 SB (73 G – 267 AB)
Maldonado earned a quick ticket to Triple-A after slashing .465/.500/.837 across 12 games at Double-A Tennessee to open the year. His .624 OPS in 61 Triple-A games is respectable, but will need to see an uptick before the rebuilding Cubs promote him to the MLB.
Richie Martin | SS | Triple-A | Norfolk Tides | Baltimore Orioles |UF 2013-15
2022 (MLB): .167/.242/.300, 2 3B, 4 R, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 3 SB, 54 OPS+ (13 G – 30 AB)
2022 (Triple-A): .278/.359/.410, 1 HR, 4 3B, 16 2B, 36 R, 18 RBI, 19 BB, 18 SB (52 G – 205 AB)
Martin has now appeared in parts of three MLB seasons, but has been unable to replicate the same success at the big-league level that he has consistently experienced at Triple-A.
Scott Moss | LHP | Triple-A | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Philadelphia Phillies | UF 2014-16
2022 (MiLB): 0-1, 4 G, 3 GS, 5.2 IP, 9.53 ERA, 2.12 WHIP, 8 BB, 4 K
Currently on a rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater, Moss has been limited to 5 2/3 rookie-level and Single-A innings this season due to injury. The southpaw will likely slot into Lehigh Valley's rotation once he is fully rehabbed.
Logan Shore | RHP | Triple-A | Toledo Mud Hens | Detroit Tigers | UF 2014-16
2022: 2-4, 20 G, 6 GS, 47.1 IP, 4.94 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 21 BB, 36 K
Shore received an invitation to MLB Spring Training in the preseason and has followed that with 47 1/3 frames at the Triple-A level.
Preston Tucker | OF | Triple-A | Gwinnett Stripers | Atlanta Braves | UF 2009-12
2022 (Triple-A): .258/.337/.405, 7 HR, 16 2B, 42 RBI, 32 R, 27 BB (69 G – 252 AB)
From 2019-21, Tucker spent three seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization where he hit .284/.372/.466 with 50 homers across 364 games. The Gator Great made a long-awaited return to the United States for the 2022 season, signing a free-agent contract with Atlanta on April 9.
Danny Young | LHP | Triple-A | Tacoma Rainiers | Seattle Mariners | UF 2013-15
2022 (MLB): 0-0, 2 G, 3.2 IP, 7.36 ERA, 2.46 WHIP, 2 BB, 5 K
2022 (Triple-A): 0-1, 28 G, 27.0 IP, 4.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 9 BB, 37 K
Young broke into the big leagues on May 9 of this year, making him the 80th Gator to debut in the MLB and the 28th player to do so under O'Sullivan. The left-hander tossed 2 1/3 scoreless inning of relief against Philadelphia in his debut. Although he has not yet found a long-term role in the bigs, his 1.07 WHIP and 12.3 K/9 in Triple-A provide optimism for the future.
Gators in Double-A
Michael Byrne | RHP | Double-A | Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2016-18
2022 (MiLB): 1-3, 27 G, 38.2 IP, 6.05 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 16 BB, 47 K
Byrne has tallied 4 2/3 frames at Triple-A Louisville on top of 34 innings for Double-A Chattanooga, where he has been assigned since April 26. Despite his bottom-line numbers, Byrne boasts an 11.1 K/9 at Double-A.
Wil Dalton | OF | Double-A | Portland Sea Dogs | Boston Red Sox | UF 2018-19
2022 (Double-A): .196/.290/.366, 5 HR, 1 3B, 9 2B, 21 R, 17 RBI, 15 BB, 5 SB (51 G – 153 AB)
Due in part to an injury that shelved him from April 25-May 13, Dalton has struggled to find a groove in 2022 in his first-full season at Double-A.
Buddy Reed | OF | Double-A | Tulsa Drillers | Los Angeles Dodgers | UF 2014-16
2022 (MiLB): .212/.268/.227, 1 2B, 8 R, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 3 SB (24 G – 66 AB)
Reed was released by Oakland on May 10 after climbing the ranks to Triple-A Las Vegas. He gets a fresh start with the Dodgers organization, who assigned Reed to Double-A Tulsa on July 28 after picking him up one month prior.
JJ Schwarz | C | Double-A | Midland RockHounds | Oakland Athletics | UF 2015-18
2022 (MiLB): .319/.389/.469, 5 HR, 9 2B, 27 RBI, 18 R, 20 BB, 1 SB (47 G – 160 AB)
In the midst of his best season as a pro, Schwarz wields an .858 OPS on the year and is performing even better against Double-A pitching: .344/.411/.504.
Gators in Single-A
Franco Aleman | RHP | Single-A | Lynchburg Hillcats | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2021
2022 (Single-A): 1-7, 13 G, 8 GS, 7.43 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 17 BB, 52 K
Aleman has struck out 11.7 batters per nine innings in his first taste of pro ball.
Tyler Dyson | RHP | High-A | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Washington Nationals | UF 2017-19
Career: 3-4, 19 G, 15 GS, 65.1 IP, 1.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 28 BB, 47 K
Dyson's pro career got off to a great start, as he jumped out to a 1.93 ERA in 65 1/3 frames spread across 2019 and 2021. Unfortunately, he has missed all of 2022 to injury since being placed on the 60-day injured list on April 8.
Nathan Hickey | C | High-A | Greenville Drive | Boston Red Sox | UF 2020-21
2022 (MiLB): .272/.420/.495, 8 HR, 17 2B, 45 RBI, 36 R, 47 BB (54 G – 184 AB)
Hickey was promoted from Single-A Salem to High-A Greenville on June 24, but his bat has not slowed down in the 13 game since. The backstop sports a .914 OPS on the season and has walked nearly as many times as he has struck out.
Jack Leftwich | RHP | High-A | Lake County Captains | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2018-21
2022 (MiLB): 6-2, 17 G, 8 GS, 76.2 IP, 2.35 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 12 BB, 106 K
Of the six Gators that signed pro contracts following the 2021 MLB Draft, Leftwich is having the best start to his career. In fact, Leftwich might be having the most-impressive year of any Gator in the Minor Leagues, as he boasts an unearthly 12.4 K/9, 1.4 BB/9 and 0.4 HR/9. He was promoted to High-A Lake County on July 3 after dominating at Single-A Lynchburg, where he joined former Orange & Blue staffmate Tommy Mace.
Tommy Mace | RHP | High-A | Lake County Captains | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2018-21
2022 (Single-A): 0-4, 15 G, 14 GS, 54.0 IP, 5.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 26 BB, 45 K
Mace opened the 2022 season with High-A Lake County and although it has been a rocky year, he has produced scoreless outings in two of his last-three appearances.
Brady McConnell | SS | Low-A | Columbia Fireflies | Kansas City Royals | UF 2018-19
Career: .206/.289/.382, 8 HR, 2 3B, 19 2B, 40 R, 40 RBI, 29 BB, 8 SB (70 G – 267 AB)
McConnell was placed on the injured list on April 8, 2022 and has yet to be activated this season.
Christian Scott | RHP |Single-A | St. Lucie Mets | New York Mets | UF 2019-21
2022 (MiLB): 2-3, 10 G, 4 GS, 32.1 IP, 5.57 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 11 BB, 48 K
Scott's first-full pro campaign has featured highs and lows, but the righty has churned out a 13.4 K/9 and reasonable walk numbers while working in a hybrid role as a starter and reliever.
Brady Smith | C |Single-A | St. Lucie Mets | New York Mets | UF 2018-20
2022 (MiLB): .149/.277/.228, 2 HR, 2 2B, 12 RBI, 10 R, 16 BB (35 G – 101 AB)
After being released by the Texas Rangers organization on May 29, Smith signed with the Mets on June 2. He was assigned to Single-A St. Lucie on June 4 and has since played in 24 games with his new club.
Jacob Young | OF | Single-A | Fredericksburg Nationals | Washington Nationals | UF 2019-21
2022 (Single-A): .243/.350/.330, 2 HR, 8 3B, 7 2B, 82 R, 31 RBI, 42 BB, 32 SB (83 G – 333 AB)
Young's 82 runs scored lead the Carolina League and are 18 more than the next-closest player. Meanwhile, his 32 stolen bases rank second. As has long been the case with Young, he continues to do all the little things well – he even has a 1.000 fielding percentage and three outfield assists while playing all three outfield positions for Fredericksburg.
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The Orange & Blue lay claim to a lengthy history of producing MLB talent, as 80 Gators have reached the sport's ultimate level – a total that has steadily risen during the 2022 season thanks to the debuts of catcher Mark Kolozsvary (Cincinnati Reds), right-handed pitcher Alex Faedo (Detroit Tigers) and left-hander Danny Young (Seattle Mariners). Dating back to the start of Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan's tenure in 2008, 28 Gators have made it to The Show.
Of the 23 Gators currently competing in affiliated MiLB, 14 are positioned on either Triple-A or Double-A rosters. With those numbers, it is only a matter of time before the next generation of Gators receive the call to the MLB.
Gators in the MLB
Pete Alonso | 1B | New York Mets | UF 2014-16
2022: .281/.357/.547, 26 HR, 18 2B, 84 RBI, 55 R, 37 BB, 154 OPS+ (97 G – 360 AB)
Although Alonso came up short in defending his back-to-back Home Run Derby titles this July, he earned his second-career All-Star Game nod thanks to a league-leading 84 RBI and career-high 154 OPS+ to go along with 26 homers – which rank third in the National League. Alonso has been a pillar in the Mets' strong season, helping to power the team to a 61-37 record and a firm grasp of first place in the NL East.
Harrison Bader | OF | St. Louis Cardinals | UF 2013-15
2022: .256/.303/.370, 5 HR, 3 3B, 7 2B, 21 RBI, 35 R, 13 BB, 5 SB (72 G – 246 AB)
Coming off a Gold Glove 2021 campaign, Bader has tied his career high with 15 steals while playing in 72 games for the second-place Cardinals, who are currently tied with Philadelphia for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Holding true to his calling card, Bader owns a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with three outfield assists over 177 defensive chances in center field this season.
Anthony DeSclafani | RHP | San Francisco Giants | UF 2009-11
2022: 0-2, 5 GS, 19.0 IP, 6.63 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 4 BB, 17 K
In the first year of a three-year, 36-million-dollar contract, Desclafani's season concluded after just 19 frames of work due to season-ending ankle surgery on June 12. With a four-to-five month timetable for recovery, DeSclafani projects to be ready for the start of Spring Training in 2023.
Dane Dunning | RHP | Texas Rangers | UF 2014-16
2022: 1-6, 19 GS, 100.2 IP, 4.38 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 40 BB, 89 K, 90 ERA+
Although Texas enters the weekend nearly 10 games out of playoff contention, Dunning has been one of the more reliable arms on the staff. Pitching in his third MLB season, the right-hander is on track to set career highs in starts, innings and strikeouts.
Alex Faedo | RHP | Detroit Tigers | UF 2015-17
2022 (MLB): 1-5, 12 GS, 53.2 IP, 5.53 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 25 BB, 44 K, 71 ERA+
2022 (MiLB): 2-1, 4 G, 2 GS, 15.2 IP, 1.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 3 BB, 20 K
Faedo became the 79th Gator to make it to the MLB and the 27th former player to do so under O'Sullivan, debuting with the Tigers on May 4, 2022. He fired five innings of two-run ball in his first big-league start. Unfortunately, Faedo's rookie year came to a halt after 53 2/3 frames, as he was forced to undergo season-ending hip surgery.
Jonathan India | INF | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2016-18
2022: .235/.301/.374, 6 HR, 7 2B, 21 R, 20 RBI, 9 BB, 2 SB, 82 OPS+ (46 G – 179 AB)
Due to the injury bug, India's sophomore campaign has been more or less a lost season on the heels of 2021 NL Rookie of the Year honors. India is finally returning to form since returning from the most-recent injury to his ankle, batting .306 with four home runs, four doubles, 12 runs and 11 RBI across 15 games from July 7 through July 27.
Mark Kolozsvary | C | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2015-17
2022 (MLB): .177/.177/.471, 1 HR, 2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI (9 G – 17 AB)
2022 (MiLB): .188/.317/.306, 2 HR, 4 2B, 12 R, 8 RBI, 11 BB (28 G – 85 AB)
Kolozsvary was the first Gator to make his MLB debut in 2022, doing so on April 20. As the 78th Gator to appear in the MLB and the 26th player to do so under O'Sullivan, Kolozsvary was subsequently demoted but received another call-up on July 23. The former Olympian clubbed his first MLB homer later that same day vs. St. Louis.
Jackson Kowar | RHP | Kansas City Royals | UF 2016-18
2022 (MLB): 0-0, 6 G, 15.1 IP, 8.80 ERA, 2.22 WHIP, 9 BB, 17 K
2022 (Triple-A): 3-6, 12 GS, 55.1 IP, 6.34 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 23 BB, 62 K
Kowar was recently recalled from Triple-A on July 27, marking his second stint with Kansas City of the 2022 season. He saw action out of the bullpen in six games the first time around, most notably churning out a 10.0 K/9 across 15 1/3 frames.
Darren O'Day | RHP | Atlanta Braves | UF 2003-06
2022: 2-2, 28 G, 21.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 10 BB, 26 K, 104 ERA+
Pitching in his 15th MLB season, O'Day is having another above-average year as evidenced by a 104 ERA+. If that mark holds, 2022 would mark O'Day's 13th campaign performing above league average on the mound. All told, he has compiled a career 2.59 ERA and 167 ERA+ across 644 appearances spanning 609 innings.
A.J. Puk | LHP | Oakland Athletics | UF 2014-16
2022: 2-1, 2 SV, 38 G, 42.1 IP, 2.13 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 8 BB, 44 K, 176 ERA+
Puk appears to have found a sustainable role in the big leagues as a high-leverage member of the Oakland bullpen, where he has pitched 76% above league average this season. The left-hander already set career highs in innings and strikeouts, while his current ERA, WHIP and ERA+ would all mark personal bests as well.
Brady Singer | RHP | Kansas City Royals | UF 2016-18
2022 (MLB): 4-3, 16 G, 13 GS, 84.2 IP, 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 21 BB, 91 K, 117 ERA+
2022 (Triple-A): 1-0, 3 GS, 13.2 IP, 3.29 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 4 BB, 11K
Singer has spent the bulk of the season with the big-league club in Kansas City, where he has enjoyed his most-productive year to date. All but three of Singer's 16 appearances have come as a starter, while his 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings and 2.2 walks per nine are both career bests. He is coming off the best outing of his career, having held the first-place Yankees to one hit across seven shutout innings in the Bronx while striking out 10 batters.
Kirby Snead | LHP | Oakland Athletics | UF 2014-16
2022 (MLB): 1-0, 24 G, 22.0 IP, 6.55 ERA, 2.14 WHIP, 17 BB, 20 K, 58 ERA+
2022 (Triple-A): 2-0, 1 SV, 11 G, 13.2 IP, 4.61 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 3 BB, 20 K
Snead has been up with Oakland since June 21 after opening the campaign in Triple-A, but he has been unable to replicate the same success he did as a rookie with Toronto in 2021, when he pitched to a 2.35 ERA in a 7 2/3-inning cameo. This is the southpaw's first go-around with the Athletics after being shipped out of Toronto this past offseason in a trade package for All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman.
Mike Zunino | C | Tampa Bay Rays | UF 2010-12
2022: .148/.195/.304, 5 HR, 3 2B, 16 RBI, 7 R, 6 BB, 44 OPS+ (36 G – 115 AB)
After earning his first-career All-Star nod last season thanks to a 33-homer breakout, Zunino had a down year in 2022 that was exacerbated by reports of season-ending shoulder surgery near the end of July. Zunino should be ready to go for the 2023 campaign, but enters the offseason as an impending free agent.
Gators in Triple-A
Shaun Anderson | RHP | Triple-A | Buffalo Bisons | Toronto Blue Jays | UF 2014-16
2022 (MLB): 0-0, 1 G, 1.0 IP, 18.00 ERA, 4.00 WHIP, 0 BB, 0 K
2022 (Triple-A): 2-1, 20 G, 8 GS, 56.2 IP, 3.81 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 20 BB, 52 K
Anderson has made one appearance at the big-league level for Toronto this season while pitching in 20 games for Triple-A Buffalo. The right-hander has performed well across 56 2/3 frames for the Bisons as evidenced by a 3.81 ERA.
Taylor Gushue | C | Triple-A | Rochester Red Wings | Washington Nationals | UF 2012-14
2022 (MiLB): .242/.367/.436, 8 HR, 8 2B, 30 RBI, 20 R, 32 BB (53 G – 165 AB)
After making his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2021, Gushue elected free agency at the conclusion of the season and latched on with the Washington Nationals organization. Gushue received an invitation to Spring Training and was assigned to Double-A Harrisburg out of camp. He was promoted to Triple-A Rochester on May 10 after batting .262/.416/.607 across 19 games at Double-A.
Dalton Guthrie | INF | Triple-A | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Philadelphia Phillies | UF 2015-17
2021 (Triple-A): .280/.332/.456, 8 HR, 18 2B, 39 R, 36 RBI, 15 BB, 13 SB (66 G – 239 AB)
As one of the closest Gators to reaching the big leagues, Guthrie has played all of 2022 at the Triple-A level. Guthrie's performance suggests that a call could be in store at the tail-end of the year, thanks to a .788 OPS and the fact that he has logged innings at every position other than catcher and first base this season.
Eric Hanhold | RHP | Triple-A | Indianapolis Indians | Pittsburgh Pirates | UF 2013-15
2022: 2-1, 3 SV, 27 G, 33.1 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 18 BB, 30 K
Since being claimed off waivers from Baltimore last November by Pittsburgh, Hanhold has spent the entirety of his time at Triple-A. Hanhold pitched in the big leagues as recently as last season and his current 4.32 ERA marks his lowest at any level since 2019.
Nelson Maldonado | OF | Triple-A | Iowa Cubs | Chicago Cubs | UF 2016-19
2022 (MiLB): .266/.313/.427, 7 HR, 22 2B, 43 RBI, 32 R, 19 BB, 3 SB (73 G – 267 AB)
Maldonado earned a quick ticket to Triple-A after slashing .465/.500/.837 across 12 games at Double-A Tennessee to open the year. His .624 OPS in 61 Triple-A games is respectable, but will need to see an uptick before the rebuilding Cubs promote him to the MLB.
Richie Martin | SS | Triple-A | Norfolk Tides | Baltimore Orioles |UF 2013-15
2022 (MLB): .167/.242/.300, 2 3B, 4 R, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 3 SB, 54 OPS+ (13 G – 30 AB)
2022 (Triple-A): .278/.359/.410, 1 HR, 4 3B, 16 2B, 36 R, 18 RBI, 19 BB, 18 SB (52 G – 205 AB)
Martin has now appeared in parts of three MLB seasons, but has been unable to replicate the same success at the big-league level that he has consistently experienced at Triple-A.
Scott Moss | LHP | Triple-A | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Philadelphia Phillies | UF 2014-16
2022 (MiLB): 0-1, 4 G, 3 GS, 5.2 IP, 9.53 ERA, 2.12 WHIP, 8 BB, 4 K
Currently on a rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater, Moss has been limited to 5 2/3 rookie-level and Single-A innings this season due to injury. The southpaw will likely slot into Lehigh Valley's rotation once he is fully rehabbed.
Logan Shore | RHP | Triple-A | Toledo Mud Hens | Detroit Tigers | UF 2014-16
2022: 2-4, 20 G, 6 GS, 47.1 IP, 4.94 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 21 BB, 36 K
Shore received an invitation to MLB Spring Training in the preseason and has followed that with 47 1/3 frames at the Triple-A level.
Preston Tucker | OF | Triple-A | Gwinnett Stripers | Atlanta Braves | UF 2009-12
2022 (Triple-A): .258/.337/.405, 7 HR, 16 2B, 42 RBI, 32 R, 27 BB (69 G – 252 AB)
From 2019-21, Tucker spent three seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization where he hit .284/.372/.466 with 50 homers across 364 games. The Gator Great made a long-awaited return to the United States for the 2022 season, signing a free-agent contract with Atlanta on April 9.
Danny Young | LHP | Triple-A | Tacoma Rainiers | Seattle Mariners | UF 2013-15
2022 (MLB): 0-0, 2 G, 3.2 IP, 7.36 ERA, 2.46 WHIP, 2 BB, 5 K
2022 (Triple-A): 0-1, 28 G, 27.0 IP, 4.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 9 BB, 37 K
Young broke into the big leagues on May 9 of this year, making him the 80th Gator to debut in the MLB and the 28th player to do so under O'Sullivan. The left-hander tossed 2 1/3 scoreless inning of relief against Philadelphia in his debut. Although he has not yet found a long-term role in the bigs, his 1.07 WHIP and 12.3 K/9 in Triple-A provide optimism for the future.
Gators in Double-A
Michael Byrne | RHP | Double-A | Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2016-18
2022 (MiLB): 1-3, 27 G, 38.2 IP, 6.05 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 16 BB, 47 K
Byrne has tallied 4 2/3 frames at Triple-A Louisville on top of 34 innings for Double-A Chattanooga, where he has been assigned since April 26. Despite his bottom-line numbers, Byrne boasts an 11.1 K/9 at Double-A.
Wil Dalton | OF | Double-A | Portland Sea Dogs | Boston Red Sox | UF 2018-19
2022 (Double-A): .196/.290/.366, 5 HR, 1 3B, 9 2B, 21 R, 17 RBI, 15 BB, 5 SB (51 G – 153 AB)
Due in part to an injury that shelved him from April 25-May 13, Dalton has struggled to find a groove in 2022 in his first-full season at Double-A.
Buddy Reed | OF | Double-A | Tulsa Drillers | Los Angeles Dodgers | UF 2014-16
2022 (MiLB): .212/.268/.227, 1 2B, 8 R, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 3 SB (24 G – 66 AB)
Reed was released by Oakland on May 10 after climbing the ranks to Triple-A Las Vegas. He gets a fresh start with the Dodgers organization, who assigned Reed to Double-A Tulsa on July 28 after picking him up one month prior.
JJ Schwarz | C | Double-A | Midland RockHounds | Oakland Athletics | UF 2015-18
2022 (MiLB): .319/.389/.469, 5 HR, 9 2B, 27 RBI, 18 R, 20 BB, 1 SB (47 G – 160 AB)
In the midst of his best season as a pro, Schwarz wields an .858 OPS on the year and is performing even better against Double-A pitching: .344/.411/.504.
Gators in Single-A
Franco Aleman | RHP | Single-A | Lynchburg Hillcats | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2021
2022 (Single-A): 1-7, 13 G, 8 GS, 7.43 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 17 BB, 52 K
Aleman has struck out 11.7 batters per nine innings in his first taste of pro ball.
Tyler Dyson | RHP | High-A | Wilmington Blue Rocks | Washington Nationals | UF 2017-19
Career: 3-4, 19 G, 15 GS, 65.1 IP, 1.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 28 BB, 47 K
Dyson's pro career got off to a great start, as he jumped out to a 1.93 ERA in 65 1/3 frames spread across 2019 and 2021. Unfortunately, he has missed all of 2022 to injury since being placed on the 60-day injured list on April 8.
Nathan Hickey | C | High-A | Greenville Drive | Boston Red Sox | UF 2020-21
2022 (MiLB): .272/.420/.495, 8 HR, 17 2B, 45 RBI, 36 R, 47 BB (54 G – 184 AB)
Hickey was promoted from Single-A Salem to High-A Greenville on June 24, but his bat has not slowed down in the 13 game since. The backstop sports a .914 OPS on the season and has walked nearly as many times as he has struck out.
Jack Leftwich | RHP | High-A | Lake County Captains | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2018-21
2022 (MiLB): 6-2, 17 G, 8 GS, 76.2 IP, 2.35 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 12 BB, 106 K
Of the six Gators that signed pro contracts following the 2021 MLB Draft, Leftwich is having the best start to his career. In fact, Leftwich might be having the most-impressive year of any Gator in the Minor Leagues, as he boasts an unearthly 12.4 K/9, 1.4 BB/9 and 0.4 HR/9. He was promoted to High-A Lake County on July 3 after dominating at Single-A Lynchburg, where he joined former Orange & Blue staffmate Tommy Mace.
Tommy Mace | RHP | High-A | Lake County Captains | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2018-21
2022 (Single-A): 0-4, 15 G, 14 GS, 54.0 IP, 5.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 26 BB, 45 K
Mace opened the 2022 season with High-A Lake County and although it has been a rocky year, he has produced scoreless outings in two of his last-three appearances.
Brady McConnell | SS | Low-A | Columbia Fireflies | Kansas City Royals | UF 2018-19
Career: .206/.289/.382, 8 HR, 2 3B, 19 2B, 40 R, 40 RBI, 29 BB, 8 SB (70 G – 267 AB)
McConnell was placed on the injured list on April 8, 2022 and has yet to be activated this season.
Christian Scott | RHP |Single-A | St. Lucie Mets | New York Mets | UF 2019-21
2022 (MiLB): 2-3, 10 G, 4 GS, 32.1 IP, 5.57 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 11 BB, 48 K
Scott's first-full pro campaign has featured highs and lows, but the righty has churned out a 13.4 K/9 and reasonable walk numbers while working in a hybrid role as a starter and reliever.
Brady Smith | C |Single-A | St. Lucie Mets | New York Mets | UF 2018-20
2022 (MiLB): .149/.277/.228, 2 HR, 2 2B, 12 RBI, 10 R, 16 BB (35 G – 101 AB)
After being released by the Texas Rangers organization on May 29, Smith signed with the Mets on June 2. He was assigned to Single-A St. Lucie on June 4 and has since played in 24 games with his new club.
Jacob Young | OF | Single-A | Fredericksburg Nationals | Washington Nationals | UF 2019-21
2022 (Single-A): .243/.350/.330, 2 HR, 8 3B, 7 2B, 82 R, 31 RBI, 42 BB, 32 SB (83 G – 333 AB)
Young's 82 runs scored lead the Carolina League and are 18 more than the next-closest player. Meanwhile, his 32 stolen bases rank second. As has long been the case with Young, he continues to do all the little things well – he even has a 1.000 fielding percentage and three outfield assists while playing all three outfield positions for Fredericksburg.
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