Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
With Wyatt Langford now in the pros, Florida is lacking some star power in the outfield. Here are the Gators who will be manning the grass in 2024.
The final group to discuss in our 2024 Florida baseball season preview are the outfielders.
The group lacks the kind of star power Gator Nation has grown used to with players like Jud Fabian and Wyatt Langford roaming centerfield, but the stage is set for another Florida legend to be born.
Kevin O’Sullivan has a talented group of returning players to turn to, but some new faces should see the field as well.
Let’s take a look at Florida’s outfielders for the 2024 campaign.
The Florida Gators are bringing in Jaylen Guy, a rangy center fielder from Liberty coming off a career year at the plate, from Liberty.
The Florida Gators are adding former Liberty outfielder [autotag]Jaylen Guy[/autotag] to the baseball team, according to Swamp 247.
Guy is entering his sixth season of college baseball thanks to the extra year granted to all players following the 2020 campaign shortened by COVID. He started 61 games for the Flames as a freshman in 2019 and showed promise, but his offensive production dipped in 2021 as a junior.
An arm injury that required surgery sidelined Guy for all of 2022, but he returned in 2023 to post career numbers. Guy produced a .309/.359/.434 slash line and stole 22 bases — all are career highs. Despite those figures, the most encouraging stat for Guy is his strikeout rate, which plummeted from 23.6% over 521 plate appearances to just 12.1% over 199 as a senior.
Florida’s returning center fielder, Michael Robertson, struggled at the plate in 2023. Guy’s patient approach could earn him some opportunities, especially with a strong fall. Behind them will likely be freshman Hayden Yost, who had plus range for a high schooler but still has to develop into an SEC starter.
Florida’s outfield is without a star for the first time in several years. Before Wyatt Langford was the big bat in Gainesville, Jud Fabian, a second-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft, patrolled center field and was a serious threat for three seasons in the SEC. Things will be different this year, but adding Guy shores up a group that needed a veteran presence.
At the very least, Guy will be used as a defensive replacement. He’s a web gem waiting to happen and has no fear despite his injury history.
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