2024 College Top 25 Preview: No. 4 Florida

Image credit: Jac Caglianone (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Last season: 54-17 (20-10 in SEC), College World Series runner-up
Final ranking: No. 2
Coach (record at school): Kevin O’Sullivan (681-319, 16 seasons)

The good news: Jac Caglianone, arguably the most gifted player in college baseball, is back in the fold in Gainesville. After last season hitting .323/.389/.738 with 33 home runs, which was a record in the BBCOR era, and going 7-4, 4.34 in 18 starts on the mound, his return gives the Gators a major building block both in the lineup and on the mound. Florida last season led the nation in home runs and looks like that could be in the cards again with Caglianone, Luke Heyman (12 HR) and Cade Kurland (17) all returning, and the additions of sophomores Colby Shelton (25 at Alabama) and Brody Donay (12 HR at Virginia Tech) through the transfer portal. On the mound, Florida returns closer Brandon Neely, who last season led the SEC with 13 saves. His high-leverage experience is a differentiator among the top contenders.

The bad news: While Florida returns some serious star power, it also has to replace some elite talent. First-rounders Wyatt Langford and Hurston Waldrep are gone, as are shortstop Josh Rivera, catcher B.T. Riopelle and No. 1 starter Brandon Sproat. While the offensive production of Langford, Riopelle and Rivera won’t be easy to replace, neither will their leadership and up-the-middle defense. Perhaps of greater concern is losing Sproat and Waldrep in the rotation. O’Sullivan consistently keeps Florida deep on the mound, but that duo was the SEC’s most consistent in 2023. Lefthander Cade Fisher is set to move from the bullpen, where he was one of the Gators’ most trusted pitchers, and freshman righthander Liam Peterson is expected to step right into the rotation. It will be critical for Florida to get its new-look rotation and up-the-middle defense settled quickly.

Player to know: Cade Fisher, SP. Fisher last season as a freshman went 6-0, 3.10 and quickly became one of the Gators’ go-to relievers. Now, he is expected to move to the front of the rotation as a sophomore. He won’t be fazed by the role and his solid three-pitch mix, and control make life tough for opposing hitters. Still, it’s a big assignment for a pitcher who’s only made two career starts.

Path to Omaha: Florida is again one of the most talented teams in the nation. There should be little question that the Gators will score plenty of runs this spring, as long as its second-year players can avoid the sophomore slump. Run prevention is not as clear cut. Fisher, Peterson and Caglianone have the upside to become one of the better rotations in the country, but they’re a bit light on experience—even with Caglianone last season making 14 starts against major-conference opponents. The transition at shortstop and catcher, where Florida also lost significant experience, will also be something to watch. It may take the Gators a few weeks to hit their stride.

Pos.	Name	Year	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	HR	RBI
C	Luke Heyman	So.	.314	.366	.555	191	12	39
1B	Jac Caglianone	Jr.	.323	.389	.738	282	33	90
2B	Cade Kurland	So.	.297	.404	.555	263	17	50
3B	Dale Thomas	R-Sr.	.250	.429	.438	48	1	4
SS	Colby Shelton	So.	Transfer—Alabama
OF	Ty Evans	Jr.	.239	.302	.485	163	9	43
OF	Michael Robertson	R-So.	.231	.360	.280	186	1	19
OF	Tyler Shelnut	Sr.	.277	.371	.474	173	7	28
DH	Brody Donay	So.	Transfer—Virginia Tech
Pos.	Name	Class	W	L	ERA	IP	SO	SV
SP	Cade Fisher	So.	6	0	3.10	49	48	2
SP	Liam Peterson	Fr.	HS—Palm Harbor, Fla.
SP	Jac Caglianone	Jr.	7	4	4.34	75	87	0
RP	Brandon Neely	Jr.	2	3	3.58	55	72	13
RP	Jake Clemente	R-Fr.	Did not play – injured
RP	Ryan Slater	R-Jr.	10	1	4.22	60	48	3