Four Florida Gators made the 2024 SEC Baseball Coaches Preseason All-SEC Team on Thursday.
Two-way star Jac Caglianone made the First Team as a first baseman and the Second Team as a pitcher. Caglianone is slated to be the Sunday starter for the Gators this year.
Joining Caglianone on the First Team are second baseman Cade Kurland, shortstop Colby Shelton and closer Brandon Neely.
Kurland broke out as a freshman, setting a new pace for middle infielders with 17 home runs. There are very few second basemen in the country with the kind of pop Kurland has, and he’s still developing physically.
Shelton transferred from Alabama after a Freshman All-American season with the Crimson Tide. He hit 25 home runs last season, so Kurland’s record may be in jeopardy. The big question is whether his glove will play at shortstop or not. Shelton primarily played third last year, but he was brought over to make the transition and replace Josh Rivera.
Neely was the SEC’s best closer last year, at least in terms of saves. There was talk of him moving back into the starting rotation this year, but the emergence of freshman Liam Peterson should keep Neely in the bullpen for now.
Still, he’s often called upon to make three-inning saves, which very few college arms can be trusted to do. There’s little doubt that he’s among the SEC’s best.
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