Nathan Hickey set up to be a leader after huge 2021 season

Hickey was one of Florida’s top players in 2021, and he should be poised for a dominant 2022 season.

Name: Nathan Hickey

Number: 11

Position: Catcher/Infielder

Class: Freshman (COVID-19)

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 205 lbs

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

High School: Providence School

2021 statistics:

G PA R H HR RBI BB K BA OBP SLG
60 278 40 71 9 50 42 40 .317 .435 .522

Overview:

A high school First Team All-American at Providence in Jacksonville, Nathan Hickey was the No. 15 catcher and No. 162 player overall in the class of 2019, according to Perfect Game. He committed to coach Kevin O’Sullivan and the Gators, where he saw immediate action.

Hickey started 13 of 17 games before the season was canceled, and he appeared in 15 of them. He was second on the team in batting average (.311) and home runs (four). Though COVID-19 ended the season before Hickey could really hit his stride, he entered his “COVID” freshman season in 2021 expected to be one of the best players in the lineup.

He mostly lived up to that, making the Newcomer All-SEC Team and the SEC All-Tournament Team. He started all 60 games (one of just two players to do so) and his .317 batting average led the team. With nine home runs and 50 RBI, he was one of the most productive players in all of the SEC.

Defensively, he struggled at catcher throughout the season, but a decision during the SEC Tournament to move him to third base paid off, as he looked much better at that position. With younger catcher Mac Guscette able to take up that mantle, Hickey could very likely enter the 2022 season as the starter at third base, once again.

A guy who should almost certainly be an early-round pick next year, Hickey should be one of the best players on the team, if not the conference.

Video:

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