Liam Peterson delivers a pitch during the Gators' game against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Fla.
Florida Trio Named Top Sophomores
Friday, January 17, 2025 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida baseball had three players included on Perfect Game's breakdown of the top-100 sophomores in the sport, headlined by returning weekend hurler Liam Peterson in addition to outfielders Kyle Jones and Hayden Yost.
Projected to lead the Gators starting staff this season, Peterson was the third-highest right-handed pitcher in the rankings at No. 14 overall. Entering year one in Orange & Blue after a Freshman All-American campaign at Stetson, Jones was ranked No. 40 in the class while Yost's strong rookie year was rewarded with the No. 88 spot.
Working as a weekend starter as a true freshman, Peterson made 18 appearances last season and held opposing hitters to a .257 batting average. Although he finished with a 6.43 ERA, the right-hander fanned 77 batters in 63 frames and excelled for the Gators down the stretch as they made a postseason run to the College World Series.
Starting 62 games in center field for the Hatters in 2024, Jones slashed .355/.459/.476 with five homers, 32 RBI, 53 runs and 23 stolen bases to collect NCBWA Second Team Freshman All-American honors. Jones led the team in hits (88) en route to being named ASUN Freshman of the Year and being an NCAA Gold Glove Finalist.
Yost saw action in 32 games while making 14 starts in the outfield one year ago, batting .284/.400/.358 across 67 at bats. The speedy outfielder hit .366/.469/.439 in 24 games from April 12 onward, totaling three doubles, eight runs scored and three steals in that span while providing excellent defense in right field.
Florida opens the 2025 regular season at home on Friday, Feb. 14 against Air Force, hosting the Falcons for a three-game series (Feb. 14-16) for the first time in program history. Season tickets and SEC Five-Pack Mini-Plans are currently on sale now in addition to single-game tickets.
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Projected to lead the Gators starting staff this season, Peterson was the third-highest right-handed pitcher in the rankings at No. 14 overall. Entering year one in Orange & Blue after a Freshman All-American campaign at Stetson, Jones was ranked No. 40 in the class while Yost's strong rookie year was rewarded with the No. 88 spot.
Working as a weekend starter as a true freshman, Peterson made 18 appearances last season and held opposing hitters to a .257 batting average. Although he finished with a 6.43 ERA, the right-hander fanned 77 batters in 63 frames and excelled for the Gators down the stretch as they made a postseason run to the College World Series.
Starting 62 games in center field for the Hatters in 2024, Jones slashed .355/.459/.476 with five homers, 32 RBI, 53 runs and 23 stolen bases to collect NCBWA Second Team Freshman All-American honors. Jones led the team in hits (88) en route to being named ASUN Freshman of the Year and being an NCAA Gold Glove Finalist.
Yost saw action in 32 games while making 14 starts in the outfield one year ago, batting .284/.400/.358 across 67 at bats. The speedy outfielder hit .366/.469/.439 in 24 games from April 12 onward, totaling three doubles, eight runs scored and three steals in that span while providing excellent defense in right field.
Florida opens the 2025 regular season at home on Friday, Feb. 14 against Air Force, hosting the Falcons for a three-game series (Feb. 14-16) for the first time in program history. Season tickets and SEC Five-Pack Mini-Plans are currently on sale now in addition to single-game tickets.
Follow the Gators
#GoGators
Players Mentioned
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