February 17, 2022 (The night before the night)

Finally, a new season is upon us.  It's hard not to reminisce for those of us that played at whatever level.  Opening Day is unlike any other sport.  It's a new day, the sky is the limit and hope abounds for even the worst of programs who have their sights set on a new season.  This year MLB is locked out yet again after a bitter winter of negotiations (kind of) and standoffs that have led to the delay of the start of Spring Training so far. College Baseball has a chance to take the spotlight from MLB.  The talent level is at an all time high between COVID years being used and the draft being shortened from 40 to 20 rounds.  Pitching staffs are loaded with arms that all throw in the 90's and the lineups have a chance to be deeper than ever as well. 

First up, the vaunted Florida Gators of the SEC.  The Gators return 2 potential top 10 picks in OF Jud Fabian and LHSP Hunter Barco whom the Flames will see Friday night.  Fabian hit 20 Hr's last year but saw his average dip to .249 and K'd 79 times in 269 plate appearances.  He shocked the baseball world a bit when he turned down $2MM from the Red Sox after being drafted in the second round.  Barco was 10-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 16 starts.  The 6'4 southpaw has a funky delivery that looks like John Rocker crossed with Chris Sale (or something like that anyway).  The Gators had the #2 recruiting class according to Baseball America which was headlined by 6'8 LHP Pierce Coppola.  The Gators have had a top give recruiting class for 9 NINE straight years.  So talent is never an issue even with the Gators losing 53% of their innings pitched last year to graduation and the draft (cite Nick Pierce in the clubhouse report).   Pitching wise 12 pitchers from the Gators 2021 staff are no longer on the roster.  Sproat and Manning are 2 of the very few other arms the Gators return with success & experience  Offensively, aside from Fabian the Gators lost their 2 top hitters from an average standpoint in Nathan Hickey and Jacob Young.  They return several solid hitters that will be expected to play larger roles.  Overall, it appears the Gators have 2 superstars and a ton of young unproven talent.  Time will tell how quickly the talent rounds into form.  

Pitching matchups

The Gators will throw 3 lefty's against the Flames this weekend to try to neutralize the Flames bevy of LH hitters.  

Pitching Matchups

Friday - Adametz vs Barco (stats above)

Saturday - Manning 6.60 ERA in 15 innings vs Gibson

Sunday - Coppola (Freshman) vs Alba

The Flames will look to make Barco work and get runners on base and ultimately get him out of the game and challenge the young Gators pen.  Saturday the Flames seem to have an advantage in the starters in this matchup.  Sunday is a toss up between an uber talented UNC transfer for the Flames who will look to put it all together and a highly touted 6'8 frosh lefty for the Gators.   Usually the starters don't go more than 6 innings at most in the opening weekend so a lot will be on the bullpens.  

The road to Omaha starts in Gainesville!!

#Risewithus