Sproat has the chance to take over as a weekend starter in 2022.
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Name: Brandon Sproat
Number: 8
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Class: Freshman (COVID-19)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 205 lbs
Hometown: Pace, Florida
High School: Pace
Twitter: @BrandonSproat
2021 statistics:
| G |
GS |
W-L |
IP |
H |
R |
BB |
K |
ERA |
WHIP |
| 16 |
2 |
2-1 |
21.2 |
29 |
19 |
15 |
18 |
6.65 |
2.03 |
Overview:
One of the better high school baseball prospects in the country, it was unclear if Sproat would make it to campus. The Pace, Florida, native was ranked the No. 149 player in the country in the class of 2019, and he was selected by the Texas Rangers in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB draft.
But he elected to pass on the pros, instead making good on his commitment to the Gators and joining coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s team. He saw limited action as a true freshman in 2020, totaling just six innings across four games before the season was canceled.
It was an impressive six innings, though, as he struck out eight batters with an ERA of just 1.50. Entering the 2021 season, Sproat was expected to play a major role in Florida’s bullpen. Though he made 16 appearances as a “COVID” freshman, he only saw 21.2 innings across the whole season, making just two starts.
Though his 2-1 record was solid, his bloated 6.65 ERA was not (though it sat below 4.0 before Sproat allowed seven runs in 2/3 innings in the season finale against South Alabama). He allowed almost as many walks as strikeouts.
He didn’t see much action once SEC play started, but that will likely change in 2022. With Tommy Mace likely heading to the professional ranks, that leaves an open spot in UF’s weekend rotation. It could be reclaimed by Jack Leftwich, but if he remains in the closer role that seemed to suit him, Sproat is a primary candidate to take over.
He’ll have the opportunity to work on his game quite a bit this summer. He’s a part of the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and he was also selected to join the 2021 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, alongside O’Sullivan, who will serve as the pitching coach.
Whether he’s a weekend starter at the beginning of the season or not, he will see a lot more action both out of the bullpen and in midweek games. The Gators will need him to be much sharper than he was in 2021.
Video:
