Garrett Milchin should play a bigger role if he stays healthy in 2022

Milchin’s unlikely return to the field in 2021 was one of the best stories in all of college baseball, and it’s not done being written yet.

Name: Garrett Milchin

Number: 3

Position: RHP

Class: Redshirt Junior (COVID-19)

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 215 pounds

Hometown: Windermere, Florida

High School: The First Academy

2021 statistics:

G GS W-L IP H R BB K ERA WHIP
6 6 2-1 21.2 24 14 3 20 4.98 1.25

Overview:

The No. 11 right-handed pitcher in the nation in the class of 2016, Milchin was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 39th round of the MLB draft out of high school, but he stuck with his commitment to Florida. He saw 19 appearances as a true freshman on the 2017 national title team, coming out of the bullpen in SEC play and starting a pair of midweek games.

In his first career start against Florida State, he threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings en route to a win, and he finished the season with a 3.29 ERA and a 4-2 record. He saw action in the lineup with 26 plate appearances, and though he only batted .182, he hit a home run.

During Milchin’s relief appearance against TCU in the College World Series, he motioned to the dugout to pull himself from the game. An MRI the next day revealed a tear to his ulnar collateral ligament, and he required Tommy John surgery.

The lengthy recovery cost him the 2018 season, but he was set to return in 2019. Then, injury struck again. Milchin re-tore his UCL, requiring another  Tommy John surgery, which held him out of the entire season again. He was still recovering during 2020 and didn’t see any appearances before the season was canceled.

Milchin’s unlikely return to the field came on Feb. 23, 2021, nearly four years removed from his last appearance in a real baseball game. He started UF’s midweek game against UNF, allowing one run in two innings.

He became Florida’s primary midweek starter, and all six of his appearances in 2021 were midweek starts. He managed a 2-1 record and totaled 20 strikeouts compared to three walks. His 4.98 ERA could have been better, but it was an encouraging return to the bump for Milchin. He didn’t see any plate appearances on the season.

Milchin has the option to return to Florida for a rare sixth year of eligibility, and it would be a nice boost for the Gators if he did. At the very least, he’d likely retain his midweek starter role and could push for a spot in the weekend rotation.

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