Hurston Waldrep fires a pitch during his start against Winston-Salem on Aug. 12 in Rome (Photo: Mills Fitzner / Rome Braves).
Gators in the Pros: Aug. 17
Thursday, August 17, 2023 | Baseball
With the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft and signing period concluded, six players join the pro ranks to create a cast of 29 former Gators spread throughout Minor League Baseball.
Of the 29 Gators currently competing in affiliated MiLB, 18 are positioned on Triple-A and Double-A rosters. That number should continue to grow as Florida's 2022-23 draftees develop within their respective farm systems.
The Orange & Blue boasts a lengthy history of producing MLB talent, as 81 Gators have reached the sport's ultimate level – a total that has steadily risen over the course of Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan's tenure. Since 2008, 29 former Florida players have made it to The Show – a total which ranks second nationally.
Gators in Triple-A
Shaun Anderson | RHP | Triple-A | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Philadelphia Phillies | UF 2014-16
2023 (AAA): 1-1, 5 G, 5 GS, 4.05 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 8 BB, 11 K's
Recently signed on July 20, 2023, Anderson joined the Phillies organization on a Minor League deal and quickly became a feature of Triple-A Lehigh Valley's starting rotation.
Dalton Guthrie | UTIL | Triple-A | Gwinnett Stripers | Atlanta Braves
2023 (AAA): .291/.383/.429, 2 HR, 3 3B, 14 2B, 24 R, 19 RBI, 22 BB, 6 SB
Guthrie won a National League Championship ring with Philadelphia last season, but has been jettisoned around the league for most of 2023. He began the year with the Phillies, then made his way through the San Francisco Giants organization before landing with Atlanta.
Eric Hanhold | RHP | Triple-A | El Paso Chihuahuas | San Diego Padres | UF 2013-15
2023 (AAA): 4-2, 41 G, 0 GS, 10.23 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, 29 BB, 48 K's
Hanhold has spent all of the 2023 season in El Paso's bullpen, pitching to a healthy 4-2 record. Despite an inflated ERA due to a couple of bad outings in April and May, Hanhold is a key bullpen arm at the top level of the minors for San Diego.
Mark Kolozsvary | C | Triple-A | St. Paul Saints | Minnesota Twins | UF 2015-17
2023 (MiLB) (MIN and BAL): .178/.252/.327, 4 HR, 3 2B, 13 RBI, 13 R, 7 BB, 1 SB
After seeing time in one big league game for Baltimore this year before being demoted, Kolozsvary elected free agency in June and immediately signed with the Twins organization. He is currently on the Twins' Minor League development list.
Richie Martin | INF | Triple-A | Rochester Red Wings | Washington Nationals | UF 2013-15
2023 (AAA): .216/.340/.299, 1 HR, 17 2B, 21 RBI, 42 R, 41 BB, 5 SB
Signing with the Nationals after spending Spring Training in Reds camp, Martin has remained on the Red Wings' roster all season long. Martin could still return to the big leagues this season after seeing time with Baltimore each of the last three full seasons.
Logan Shore | RHP | Triple-A | Sacramento River Cats | San Francisco Giants | UF 2014-16
2023 (MiLB): 0-0, 1 G, 9.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 0 BB 3 K
Shore has thrown one inning this year for Sacramento, having been placed on the 60-day Injured List on July 19.
Preston Tucker | OF | Triple-A | El Paso Chihuahuas | San Diego Padres | UF 2009-12
2023 (AAA): .293/.433/.565, 11 HR, 13 2B, 40 RBI, 47 R, 43 BB, 1 SB
Tucker had an excellent season at Triple-A El Paso, posting an OPS nearing 1.000 that would rank fifth in the International League if he had enough games to qualify. Unfortunately, he was road-blocked by a stacked San Diego depth chart and was surprisingly released on Aug. 3.
JJ Schwarz | C/1B | Triple-A | Las Vegas Aviators | Oakland Athletics | UF 2015-18
2023 (MiLB): .223/.317/.369, 8 HR, 10 2B, 37 RBI, 26 R, 31 BB
Schwarz has played most of the 2023 campaign with the Oakland's Double-A affiliate, but was called back up to Triple-A on Aug. 9. The former eighth-round pick had an excellent 2022 campaign, but has been a bit more inconsistent in 2023. After a hot start to August that prompted his call-up, Schwarz could be a player to watch as an MLB-worst Oakland team reaches the last month of the season.
Gators in Double-A
Franco Aleman | RHP | Double-A | Akron RubberDucks | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2021
2023 (MiLB): 4-2, 30 G, 0 GS, 3.69 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 15 BB, 67 K's
Aleman has had an excellent year, closing games for Akron and the High-A Lake County Captains. Since his promotion to Akron on July 1, Aleman has been dominant, not allowing a single run and striking out 21 batters. He has walked just two batters in 15.1 innings while picking up three saves in three opportunities.
Michael Byrne | RHP | Double-A | Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2016-18
2023 (Double-A): 4-1, 23 G, 37.1 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 14 BB, 47 K
Throwing the entirety of the year in Chattanooga, Byrne seems to be back to the 2021 version of himself when he fired 50 1/3 frames of 3.22 ERA ball at Double-A and Triple-A. Byrne wields a stellar 11.3 K/9 and 3.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Jud Fabian | OF | Double-A | Bowie Baysox | Baltimore Orioles | UF 2019-22
2023 (MiLB): .231/.345/.452, 19 HR, 18 2B, 55 R, 58 RBI, 61 BB, 28 SB
Fabian put on a show to start his pro career in 2022 and has continued to hit in his sophomore season as evidenced by a .797 OPS. Despite his hitting statistics, the thrilling development from Fabian has been his improvement on the base paths. He has stolen 28 bases in 97 games this year, more than he stole in all four of his seasons as a Gator combined.
Nathan Hickey | C | Double-A | Portland Sea Dogs | Boston Red Sox | UF 2020-21
2023 (MiLB): .277/.368/.533, 18 HR, 18 2B, 48 RBI, 50 R, 41 BB
One of the most consistent hitters in the Red Sox organization for the last two seasons, Hickey has posted excellent numbers across three levels of the minors. The 2021 fifth-round selection has climbed all the way to become the 15th-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system, backed by a .901 OPS and 18 long balls in 79 games split at High-A and Double-A.
Jack Leftwich | RHP | Double-A | Akron RubberDucks | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2018-21
2023 (AA): 5-5, 17 G, 10 GS, 5.94 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 17 BB, 48 K's
Leftwich started the year in Double-A Akron after a magnificent 2022 campaign, when he pitched to a 2.72 ERA with 140 strikeouts in 109.1 innings. He has struggled to maintain that form, but after a rough start to the year, Leftwich has turned his season around in July and August.
Tommy Mace | RHP | Double-A | Akron RubberDucks | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2018-21
2023 (MiLB): 6-4, 21 G, 14 GS, 103.1 IP, 4.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 43 BB, 93 K
Mace was promoted to Double-A in June, joining former weekend rotation-mates Aleman and Leftwich in Akron. While he is still working to refine his command, his underlying numbers are promising, specifically his greatly reduced home run rate (0.9 HR/9).
Nelson Maldonado | OF/1B | Double-A | Tennessee Smokies | Chicago Cubs | UF 2016-19
2023 (AA): .212/.309/.361, 7 HR, 13 2B, 34 RBI, 28 R, 30 BB, 1 SB
Maldonado returned to the Smokies after a short stint in Triple-A Iowa last season. Following a decent start to the year, Maldonado has slowed down at the plate but has been stellar in the field with a .995 fielding percentage and 16 assists – a career high.
Christian Scott | RHP | Double-A | Binghamton Rumble Ponies | New York Mets | UF 2019-21
2023 (MiLB): 5-4, 17 G, 17 GS, 83.0 IP, 2.71 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 12 BB, 99 K
The Gators go-to relief arm from 2021 has transformed into a top starting pitcher in the Mets farm system. Scott's command has taken a monumental jump, walking just 12 batters on the season and allowing just five home runs in 83 innings. The fifth-round pick has become one of the hottest pitchers in the minor leagues.
Sterlin Thompson | OF | Double-A | Hartford Yard Goats | Colorado Rockies | UF 2021-22
2023 (MiLB): .315/.400/.504, 8 HR, 22 2B, 46 R, 42 RBI, 28 BB, 15 SB
Thompson was promoted to Double-A on Aug. 8 after raking in both Single-A and High-A over the last calendar year. He has showcased an ability to hit for extra bases and an excellent eye at the plate, which leads scouts to believe more power should materialize soon, especially at high-altitude in Colorado. If Thompson continues to hit the way he has (.904 OPS), he could easily reach Triple-A at age 23 by next season.
Jacob Young | OF | Double-A | Harrisburg Senators | Washington Nationals | UF 2019-21
2022 (Single-A): .301/.373/.414, 5 HR, 5 3B, 20 2B, 54 R, 56 RBI, 39 BB, 37 SB
After two great seasons with Single-A Fredericksburg, Young was rewarded with two promotions this season and has not missed a step. Sporting his highest average, on-base percentage and slugging marks of his career, Young has turned himself into a well-rounded hitter with great speed and more pop than was expected.
NOTE: on August 22, 2023, Jacob Young was promoted to triple-A Rochester Red Wings.
Gators in Single-A
Hunter Barco | LHP | Single-A | Bradenton Marauders | Pittsburgh Pirates | UF 2020-22
2022 (MiLB): 0-1, 5 G, 4 GS, 1.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 10.1 IP, 4 BB, 14 K
Making his return this season from Tommy John surgery that he underwent while at Florida, Barco has shown why scouts were so high on him before his injury. Despite his very strict pitch count limits as he makes his return, the six-four lefty has put on a show in his limited time back, throwing 74% of his pitches for strikes.
Colby Halter | INF | High-A | Lansing Lugnuts | Oakland Athletics | 2021-23
2023 (MiLB): .417/.512/.528, 5 2B, 7 R, 6 RBI, 6 BB, 2 SB (12 G, 36 AB)
Getting started with our 2023 draftees, Halter is off to a blazing start in his first few weeks in pro ball. Prior to joining High-A Lansing on Aug. 14, Halter lit up the complex league with an OPS of 1.114 in 11 games.
Nick Horvath | P | High-A | Tri-City Dust Devils | Los Angeles Angels | UF 2016-18
2023 (MiLB): 2-0, 12 G, 1 GS, 3.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 24.0 IP, 8 BB, 24 K
Competing in affiliated ball for the first time since 2019, the former 25th-round selection performed well for Single-A Inland Empire and was promoted to Tri-City on Aug. 8. A two-way player with the Gators, Horvath was drafted as an outfielder, but has since transitioned back to pitching.
Wyatt Langford | OF | High-A | Hickory Crawdads | Texas Rangers | UF 2021-23
2023 (MiLB): .314/.444/.647, 2 HR, 2 3B, 7 2B, 10 RBI, 11 R, 11 BB (14 G, 51 AB)
The number four overall pick in the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft has thus far performed as many would have expected in his short professional career. Langford has been punishing baseballs to all fields and was recently named the No. 13 prospect in the sport by MLB Pipeline.
Brady McConnell | SS | Single-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 in April for a second-straight year and has not seen game action in 2023.
Nick Pogue | RHP | Rookie | FCL Nationals | Washington Nationals | UF 2019-22
2022 (MiLB): 1-1, 16 G, 0 GS, 28.1 IP, 3.49 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 10 BB, 25 K
Signing with the Nationals after going undrafted in 2022, Pogue has become a solid relief arm in the Nationals organization. Now pitching for High-A Wilmington, Pogue has put together another solid season for the Blue Rocks, but is currently on the Injured List.
Josh Rivera | INF | High-A | South Bend Cubs | Chicago Cubs | UF 2020-23
2023 (MiLB): .176/.246/.314, 1 HR, 1 3B, 2 2B, 9 R, 6 RBI, 5 BB (14 G, 51 AB)
Rivera mashed in three games in the Arizona Complex League, flashing a slugging percentage over .800 and earning a promotion to High-A. He has scuffled since, but the Gators' defensive standout has not committed an error while seeing time at shortstop, second base and third base.
Hurston Waldrep | RHP | High-A | Rome Braves | Atlanta Braves | UF 2023
2023 (MiLB): 0-0, 2 G, 2 GS, 6.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 3 H, 4 BB, 10 K
The second Gator selected in this year's draft has been dealing in his limited action. The Braves have put Waldrep on a strict 50-pitch limit in his starts to this point, after the right-hander made every Saturday start for a UF team that played late into June. Already the No. 2 prospect in the Braves system, the Georgia native could be quick to the majors if he carries this momentum into next season.
Unassigned 2023 Draftees
Philip Abner | LHP | Unassigned | Arizona Diamondbacks | UF 2022-23
Abner was drafted in the sixth-round by Arizona but has yet to be assigned to a Minor League affiliate.
Brandon Sproat | RHP | Unassigned | New York Mets | UF 2020-23
After being picked in the second round by the Mets, Sproat is still awaiting his first assignment in pro ball.
Danny Young | LHP | Unassigned | Atlanta Braves | UF 2013-15
2023 (MLB): 0-0, 8G, 8.1 IP, 1.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 2 BB, 11 K
Although he dominated in 8 1/3 frames for Atlanta earlier in the campaign, Young was released on July 19. The Braves resigned him to a minor league pact two days later, but he has yet to be assigned to minor league camp.
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Of the 29 Gators currently competing in affiliated MiLB, 18 are positioned on Triple-A and Double-A rosters. That number should continue to grow as Florida's 2022-23 draftees develop within their respective farm systems.
The Orange & Blue boasts a lengthy history of producing MLB talent, as 81 Gators have reached the sport's ultimate level – a total that has steadily risen over the course of Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan's tenure. Since 2008, 29 former Florida players have made it to The Show – a total which ranks second nationally.
Gators in Triple-A
Shaun Anderson | RHP | Triple-A | Lehigh Valley IronPigs | Philadelphia Phillies | UF 2014-16
2023 (AAA): 1-1, 5 G, 5 GS, 4.05 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 8 BB, 11 K's
Recently signed on July 20, 2023, Anderson joined the Phillies organization on a Minor League deal and quickly became a feature of Triple-A Lehigh Valley's starting rotation.
Dalton Guthrie | UTIL | Triple-A | Gwinnett Stripers | Atlanta Braves
2023 (AAA): .291/.383/.429, 2 HR, 3 3B, 14 2B, 24 R, 19 RBI, 22 BB, 6 SB
Guthrie won a National League Championship ring with Philadelphia last season, but has been jettisoned around the league for most of 2023. He began the year with the Phillies, then made his way through the San Francisco Giants organization before landing with Atlanta.
Eric Hanhold | RHP | Triple-A | El Paso Chihuahuas | San Diego Padres | UF 2013-15
2023 (AAA): 4-2, 41 G, 0 GS, 10.23 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, 29 BB, 48 K's
Hanhold has spent all of the 2023 season in El Paso's bullpen, pitching to a healthy 4-2 record. Despite an inflated ERA due to a couple of bad outings in April and May, Hanhold is a key bullpen arm at the top level of the minors for San Diego.
Mark Kolozsvary | C | Triple-A | St. Paul Saints | Minnesota Twins | UF 2015-17
2023 (MiLB) (MIN and BAL): .178/.252/.327, 4 HR, 3 2B, 13 RBI, 13 R, 7 BB, 1 SB
After seeing time in one big league game for Baltimore this year before being demoted, Kolozsvary elected free agency in June and immediately signed with the Twins organization. He is currently on the Twins' Minor League development list.
Richie Martin | INF | Triple-A | Rochester Red Wings | Washington Nationals | UF 2013-15
2023 (AAA): .216/.340/.299, 1 HR, 17 2B, 21 RBI, 42 R, 41 BB, 5 SB
Signing with the Nationals after spending Spring Training in Reds camp, Martin has remained on the Red Wings' roster all season long. Martin could still return to the big leagues this season after seeing time with Baltimore each of the last three full seasons.
Logan Shore | RHP | Triple-A | Sacramento River Cats | San Francisco Giants | UF 2014-16
2023 (MiLB): 0-0, 1 G, 9.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, 0 BB 3 K
Shore has thrown one inning this year for Sacramento, having been placed on the 60-day Injured List on July 19.
Preston Tucker | OF | Triple-A | El Paso Chihuahuas | San Diego Padres | UF 2009-12
2023 (AAA): .293/.433/.565, 11 HR, 13 2B, 40 RBI, 47 R, 43 BB, 1 SB
Tucker had an excellent season at Triple-A El Paso, posting an OPS nearing 1.000 that would rank fifth in the International League if he had enough games to qualify. Unfortunately, he was road-blocked by a stacked San Diego depth chart and was surprisingly released on Aug. 3.
JJ Schwarz | C/1B | Triple-A | Las Vegas Aviators | Oakland Athletics | UF 2015-18
2023 (MiLB): .223/.317/.369, 8 HR, 10 2B, 37 RBI, 26 R, 31 BB
Schwarz has played most of the 2023 campaign with the Oakland's Double-A affiliate, but was called back up to Triple-A on Aug. 9. The former eighth-round pick had an excellent 2022 campaign, but has been a bit more inconsistent in 2023. After a hot start to August that prompted his call-up, Schwarz could be a player to watch as an MLB-worst Oakland team reaches the last month of the season.
Gators in Double-A
Franco Aleman | RHP | Double-A | Akron RubberDucks | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2021
2023 (MiLB): 4-2, 30 G, 0 GS, 3.69 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 15 BB, 67 K's
Aleman has had an excellent year, closing games for Akron and the High-A Lake County Captains. Since his promotion to Akron on July 1, Aleman has been dominant, not allowing a single run and striking out 21 batters. He has walked just two batters in 15.1 innings while picking up three saves in three opportunities.
Another perfect outing from Franco Aleman, 2IP, 5K. He struck out the first five hitters he faced tonight.
— Justin L. (@JL_Baseball) August 17, 2023
26 strikeouts in 17.1 innings since he got to Double-A. 2 walks and just five hits.
He hasn't walked a batter since July 6, he's allowed just one hit since August 6 pic.twitter.com/apqHB4lFlr
Michael Byrne | RHP | Double-A | Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | UF 2016-18
2023 (Double-A): 4-1, 23 G, 37.1 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 14 BB, 47 K
Throwing the entirety of the year in Chattanooga, Byrne seems to be back to the 2021 version of himself when he fired 50 1/3 frames of 3.22 ERA ball at Double-A and Triple-A. Byrne wields a stellar 11.3 K/9 and 3.4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Jud Fabian | OF | Double-A | Bowie Baysox | Baltimore Orioles | UF 2019-22
2023 (MiLB): .231/.345/.452, 19 HR, 18 2B, 55 R, 58 RBI, 61 BB, 28 SB
Fabian put on a show to start his pro career in 2022 and has continued to hit in his sophomore season as evidenced by a .797 OPS. Despite his hitting statistics, the thrilling development from Fabian has been his improvement on the base paths. He has stolen 28 bases in 97 games this year, more than he stole in all four of his seasons as a Gator combined.
Nathan Hickey | C | Double-A | Portland Sea Dogs | Boston Red Sox | UF 2020-21
2023 (MiLB): .277/.368/.533, 18 HR, 18 2B, 48 RBI, 50 R, 41 BB
One of the most consistent hitters in the Red Sox organization for the last two seasons, Hickey has posted excellent numbers across three levels of the minors. The 2021 fifth-round selection has climbed all the way to become the 15th-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system, backed by a .901 OPS and 18 long balls in 79 games split at High-A and Double-A.
Nathan Hickey blasts the Sea Dogs' third home run of the game as they have exploded for 12 runs. pic.twitter.com/R1ZFT0ablx
— Portland Sea Dogs (@PortlandSeaDogs) August 12, 2023
Jack Leftwich | RHP | Double-A | Akron RubberDucks | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2018-21
2023 (AA): 5-5, 17 G, 10 GS, 5.94 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 17 BB, 48 K's
Leftwich started the year in Double-A Akron after a magnificent 2022 campaign, when he pitched to a 2.72 ERA with 140 strikeouts in 109.1 innings. He has struggled to maintain that form, but after a rough start to the year, Leftwich has turned his season around in July and August.
Tommy Mace | RHP | Double-A | Akron RubberDucks | Cleveland Guardians | UF 2018-21
2023 (MiLB): 6-4, 21 G, 14 GS, 103.1 IP, 4.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 43 BB, 93 K
Mace was promoted to Double-A in June, joining former weekend rotation-mates Aleman and Leftwich in Akron. While he is still working to refine his command, his underlying numbers are promising, specifically his greatly reduced home run rate (0.9 HR/9).
Nelson Maldonado | OF/1B | Double-A | Tennessee Smokies | Chicago Cubs | UF 2016-19
2023 (AA): .212/.309/.361, 7 HR, 13 2B, 34 RBI, 28 R, 30 BB, 1 SB
Maldonado returned to the Smokies after a short stint in Triple-A Iowa last season. Following a decent start to the year, Maldonado has slowed down at the plate but has been stellar in the field with a .995 fielding percentage and 16 assists – a career high.
Christian Scott | RHP | Double-A | Binghamton Rumble Ponies | New York Mets | UF 2019-21
2023 (MiLB): 5-4, 17 G, 17 GS, 83.0 IP, 2.71 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 12 BB, 99 K
The Gators go-to relief arm from 2021 has transformed into a top starting pitcher in the Mets farm system. Scott's command has taken a monumental jump, walking just 12 batters on the season and allowing just five home runs in 83 innings. The fifth-round pick has become one of the hottest pitchers in the minor leagues.
Right-Hander Christian Scott continues to roll for Double-A Binghamton. After a leadoff double in the 1st, the only other batter to reach was a HBP in the 6th
— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) August 13, 2023
6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K. 94 pitches (65 strikes)
Scott has 99 strikeouts in 83 innings. ERA stands at 2.67 pic.twitter.com/2h3Cx617Sh
Sterlin Thompson | OF | Double-A | Hartford Yard Goats | Colorado Rockies | UF 2021-22
2023 (MiLB): .315/.400/.504, 8 HR, 22 2B, 46 R, 42 RBI, 28 BB, 15 SB
Thompson was promoted to Double-A on Aug. 8 after raking in both Single-A and High-A over the last calendar year. He has showcased an ability to hit for extra bases and an excellent eye at the plate, which leads scouts to believe more power should materialize soon, especially at high-altitude in Colorado. If Thompson continues to hit the way he has (.904 OPS), he could easily reach Triple-A at age 23 by next season.
Jacob Young | OF | Double-A | Harrisburg Senators | Washington Nationals | UF 2019-21
2022 (Single-A): .301/.373/.414, 5 HR, 5 3B, 20 2B, 54 R, 56 RBI, 39 BB, 37 SB
After two great seasons with Single-A Fredericksburg, Young was rewarded with two promotions this season and has not missed a step. Sporting his highest average, on-base percentage and slugging marks of his career, Young has turned himself into a well-rounded hitter with great speed and more pop than was expected.
NOTE: on August 22, 2023, Jacob Young was promoted to triple-A Rochester Red Wings.
Jacob Young leads the system in hits (120) and is second in average (.301) and stolen bases (37).
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) August 17, 2023
After three more hits on Wednesday, @jypv123 has hit safely in 12 straight games 👇
⚾️ .353 AVG (18-for-51)
⚾️ .549 SLG (6 2B, 2 3B)
⚾️ 3 BB
⚾️ 6 SB
⚾️ 8 R pic.twitter.com/c6SCxv0t9y
Gators in Single-A
Hunter Barco | LHP | Single-A | Bradenton Marauders | Pittsburgh Pirates | UF 2020-22
2022 (MiLB): 0-1, 5 G, 4 GS, 1.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 10.1 IP, 4 BB, 14 K
Making his return this season from Tommy John surgery that he underwent while at Florida, Barco has shown why scouts were so high on him before his injury. Despite his very strict pitch count limits as he makes his return, the six-four lefty has put on a show in his limited time back, throwing 74% of his pitches for strikes.
Colby Halter | INF | High-A | Lansing Lugnuts | Oakland Athletics | 2021-23
2023 (MiLB): .417/.512/.528, 5 2B, 7 R, 6 RBI, 6 BB, 2 SB (12 G, 36 AB)
Getting started with our 2023 draftees, Halter is off to a blazing start in his first few weeks in pro ball. Prior to joining High-A Lansing on Aug. 14, Halter lit up the complex league with an OPS of 1.114 in 11 games.
Nick Horvath | P | High-A | Tri-City Dust Devils | Los Angeles Angels | UF 2016-18
2023 (MiLB): 2-0, 12 G, 1 GS, 3.75 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 24.0 IP, 8 BB, 24 K
Competing in affiliated ball for the first time since 2019, the former 25th-round selection performed well for Single-A Inland Empire and was promoted to Tri-City on Aug. 8. A two-way player with the Gators, Horvath was drafted as an outfielder, but has since transitioned back to pitching.
Wyatt Langford | OF | High-A | Hickory Crawdads | Texas Rangers | UF 2021-23
2023 (MiLB): .314/.444/.647, 2 HR, 2 3B, 7 2B, 10 RBI, 11 R, 11 BB (14 G, 51 AB)
The number four overall pick in the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft has thus far performed as many would have expected in his short professional career. Langford has been punishing baseballs to all fields and was recently named the No. 13 prospect in the sport by MLB Pipeline.
Wyatt Langford was the steal of the draft.
— Texas Rangers Insider (@RangersInsiders) August 11, 2023
Hitting .409 with a 1.370 OPS in 6 games with Hickory.
Here's a clip of his HR. pic.twitter.com/ElmhoHToX3
Brady McConnell | SS | Single-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 in April for a second-straight year and has not seen game action in 2023.
Nick Pogue | RHP | Rookie | FCL Nationals | Washington Nationals | UF 2019-22
2022 (MiLB): 1-1, 16 G, 0 GS, 28.1 IP, 3.49 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 10 BB, 25 K
Signing with the Nationals after going undrafted in 2022, Pogue has become a solid relief arm in the Nationals organization. Now pitching for High-A Wilmington, Pogue has put together another solid season for the Blue Rocks, but is currently on the Injured List.
Josh Rivera | INF | High-A | South Bend Cubs | Chicago Cubs | UF 2020-23
2023 (MiLB): .176/.246/.314, 1 HR, 1 3B, 2 2B, 9 R, 6 RBI, 5 BB (14 G, 51 AB)
Rivera mashed in three games in the Arizona Complex League, flashing a slugging percentage over .800 and earning a promotion to High-A. He has scuffled since, but the Gators' defensive standout has not committed an error while seeing time at shortstop, second base and third base.
Hurston Waldrep | RHP | High-A | Rome Braves | Atlanta Braves | UF 2023
2023 (MiLB): 0-0, 2 G, 2 GS, 6.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 3 H, 4 BB, 10 K
The second Gator selected in this year's draft has been dealing in his limited action. The Braves have put Waldrep on a strict 50-pitch limit in his starts to this point, after the right-hander made every Saturday start for a UF team that played late into June. Already the No. 2 prospect in the Braves system, the Georgia native could be quick to the majors if he carries this momentum into next season.
Hurston Waldrep came out firing in his pro debut 😤
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 5, 2023
The @Braves' first-rounder (24th overall) strikes out three in the first en route to eight K's in just three IP for the @GreenJackets: pic.twitter.com/tbbP2osaOw
Unassigned 2023 Draftees
Philip Abner | LHP | Unassigned | Arizona Diamondbacks | UF 2022-23
Abner was drafted in the sixth-round by Arizona but has yet to be assigned to a Minor League affiliate.
Brandon Sproat | RHP | Unassigned | New York Mets | UF 2020-23
After being picked in the second round by the Mets, Sproat is still awaiting his first assignment in pro ball.
Danny Young | LHP | Unassigned | Atlanta Braves | UF 2013-15
2023 (MLB): 0-0, 8G, 8.1 IP, 1.08 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 2 BB, 11 K
Although he dominated in 8 1/3 frames for Atlanta earlier in the campaign, Young was released on July 19. The Braves resigned him to a minor league pact two days later, but he has yet to be assigned to minor league camp.
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