Alex Faedo Impresses In Front Of Scouts Before MLB Draft

HOOVER, Ala.—By the time Florida righthander Alex Faedo took the mound Wednesday against Auburn at the Southeastern Conference Tournament, it was 9:45 p.m. It was the fourth and final game of the day at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, but the scout section behind home plate was packed to watch the junior in one of his final starts before next month’s draft.

Faedo made the late night worthwhile. He threw six strong innings, holding the Tigers to two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks. He struck out seven batters and threw 106 pitches.

Though Faedo (7-2, 2.80) didn’t factor in the decision, the Gators defeated the Tigers, 5-4. Florida (41-15), the top seed, advances to play Friday against the winner of Thursday morning’s game between Mississippi State and Arkansas. Auburn (35-23) will take on the loser of that game Thursday afternoon in an elimination game.

Faedo attacked hitters with his full three-pitch mix Wednesday. His fastball sat in the low 90s, and he pounded the strike zone with it. His slider showed its plus potential and he mixed in his changeup well. He showed the all-around package that has him in consideration to be a top-10 pick next month.

Coach Kevin O’Sullivan said he was impressed with Faedo’s command and secondary offerings.

“He threw some really quality changeups, and I thought Auburn’s hitters did a nice job laying off a few of them because out of the hand they looked like fastballs,” O’Sullivan said. “I thought he might get some swings and misses on it. That pitch is much improved for him. I thought his slider was really good. He got some guys to expand out of the zone. I thought his fastball command was really good.”

With his full arsenal working, Faedo carried a shutout into the seventh inning before the first two batters reached base on a hit and a walk. That ended Faedo’s night, and both runners came around to score as a part of a four-run inning that allowed Auburn to tie the game.

Faedo’s start Wednesday took on greater importance following a subpar start last week against Kentucky. In his final start of the regular season, the righthander gave up seven runs on 13 hits and a walk in 5.1 innings. It was his second loss of the season and his worst start since giving up six runs on four hits and six walks in 4.1 innings at Auburn—his other loss this year.

Faedo said he thought he threw well at Kentucky, despite the poor results. So he tried not to change much before Wednesday’s start.

“Kentucky had a great lineup, so just keep doing my thing,” he said. “Maybe just slow the game down a little bit, take every (at bat) a little slower, that’s it.”

O’Sullivan said every aspect of Faedo’s game was better this week, as he returned to what Florida has come to expect from its ace. It was the kind of start the Gators needed to see as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament.

“People think we don’t have much to play for here, but I don’t agree with that,” O’Sullivan said. “Alex needed to bounce back from his start last week and get himself righted before the regional.”

Wednesday also marked the return of catcher Mike Rivera to Florida’s lineup after missing the last five weeks due to a broken hamate bone. The junior went 1-for-3 and scored a run, and provided his typical reliable defense behind the plate.

Faedo said it was “awesome” to have Rivera back.

“I love it when (Mark Koloszvary and J.J. Schwarz) are back there too, but Mike and I have a really good bond,” Faedo said. “It’s nice just seeing him back out there.”

With Faedo excelling at the front of Florida’s rotation and Rivera rejoining its hot lineup, Florida answered many of the questions they needed to this week at the SEC Tournament. After an off day, the Gators will go back to work Friday trying to capture another conference title and get ready for the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m glad that we have a chance to have a day off (Thursday), so Brady (Singer) and Jackson (Kowar) are assured of their normal starts and we’ll get prepared for the regional,” O’Sullivan said.