Florida Baseball: Gators have everything needed to run it back in 2024

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Florida baseball last night, and it came at the worst possible time as LSU blew out the Gators in game three of the Men’s College World Series to end their season one win short of winning a national title.

So while we are sad to see some of the key contributors from the 2023 Florida Gators, fans should take heart that Florida has enough key contributors coming back to make another deep run in 2024.

Florida Baseball: Run it back

The starting pitching rotation will have to replace Brandon Sproat and Hurston Waldrep. Those are not going to be easy arms to replace. Assuming Jac Caglianone remains a starter, whole acknowledging his consistency will have to be better in 2024, he will be joined by UCLA transfer Kelly Austin and presumably, either Ryan Slater, Brandon Neely, or Cade Fisher will challenge for the final weekend starter spot.

Behind the plate, Luke Heyman will probably slide into the starting catcher role as BT Riopelle rides off to his finance job, with Tanner Garrison coming in from Coastal Carolina as the backup.

Josh Rivera is the only member of the infield that will be departing, and Florida has already picked up Colby Shelton from Alabama after hitting 25 home runs his freshman year. Colby Halter, Cade Kurland, and Jac Caglianone are all slated to return.

The biggest question mark for the Gators will be outfield hitting. With Wyatt Langford leaving, there is no immediate answer to replace him. Ty Evans came on strong during the College World Series, Michael Robertson is great in the field but has question marks as a hitter, and Tyler Shelnut was solid but not elite during the 2023 campaign.

The offseason could bring a surprise emergence, such as Rivera and Kurland this season. But even without a surprise, the Gators, on paper, are in solid shape heading into 2024.