In this decade, Florida has been one of the most successful baseball programs in the country.
During the 2010s, the Gators compiled a 455-209 record with a 68.5 winning percentage. They also went to the College World Series seven times and won the program’s first National Championship in 2017.
With Kevin O’Sullivan at the helm, the Florida Gators baseball program has become a national powerhouse. A big reason for Florida’s success is the players O’Sullivan has recruited and kept at the University of Florida.
There has been many great players that have worn the Orange and Blue and many of Florida’s top players came from this decade. The following is the Florida Gators All-Decade Baseball team.
Also check out the following UF All-Decade Teams:
Starting Pitchers: (5)
1. RHP Brady Singer
In the 2015 MLB Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays drafted Brady Singer with the 56th overall pick. Many believed Singer would sign with the Blue Jays and never pitch an inning at the University of Florida. However, he surprised many as he picked the Gators over starting his professional career.During his time at Florida, Singer became one of the greatest Gators pitchers in program history. He also played a major role in the Florida Gators national championship run in 2017.
For his collegiate career, Singer posted a 23-10 record with a 3.22 ERA and 281 strikeouts (7th in program history).
Singer was drafted once again in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals who took him in the first round. Singer is now the Kansas City Royals #2 prospect and the 52nd ranked prospect in the MiLB.
2. RHP Alex Faedo
Another superstar pitcher from the 2017 National Championship team was their ace, Alex Faedo. The 6’5” 220 pound right-handed pitcher had a fantastic collegiate career at the University of Florida.During his collegiate career, Faedo compiled a 28-6 record with a 2.80 ERA and 349 strikeouts (3rd in program history). Faedo saved his best season for last as he had a 9-2 record with a 2.26 ERA, 157 strikeouts and .210 opponent batting average. He was a 2017 Gold Spikes Award Semifinalist and was the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
In the 2017 MLB Draft, the Detroit Tigers selected Alex Faedo in the first round. Faedo is currently in Double-A with the Tigers and is their ninth ranked prospect.
3. RHP Logan Shore
Out of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, the Florida Gators signed RHP Logan Shore to their 2013 recruiting class. Shore was the 146th ranked high school prospect but proved to be much better during his time at Florida.In his college career, Shore posted a 30-11 record and a 2.41 ERA (3rd in program history). Shore’s junior season was special as he had a 12-1 record with a 2.31 ERA and held opponents to just a .215 batting average. He was the 2016 SEC Pitcher of the Year and was also a finalist for the Gold Spikes Award. He was also a 2016 First-Team All-American by every major media outlet.
In the 2016 MLB Draft, Shore was chosen in the second round (No.46 overall) by the Oakland A’s. Shore is currently a Double-A pitcher in the Detroit Tigers farm system and finished the 2019 season with a 4-7 record and 3.43 ERA.
4. LHP A.J. Puk
A.J. Puk was another terrific pitcher to come out of the University of Florida this decade.Coming out of high school, Puk was a top pitching prospect. On Perfect Game, Puk was the 23rd ranked prospect and the fifth ranked left-handed pitcher in the country.
In his collegiate career, Puk finished with a 16-9 record with a 3.39 ERA and 251 strikeouts (8th in program history). Puk was known for his power fastball which can top out near 100 mph.
Puk also owns two records at Florida, hits per 9 (6.63) and strikeouts per 9 (11.64).
In the 2016 MLB Draft, Puk was taken sixth overall by the Oakland A’s. Puk was called up to the MLB late last season and made their postseason roster. He’s currently the #2 ranked prospect in the A’s system and the 42nd ranked prospect in the MiLB.
5. RHP Jackson Kowar
Another great pitcher from the 2017 National Championship team was Jackson Kowar. The North Carolina native was a huge get for Florida has many believed he would end up at Clemson instead of Florida. Coming out of high school, Kowar was the 107th ranked prospect in the Class of 2015.During his career at Florida, Kowar had a 25-6 record with a 3.53 ERA and 243 strikeouts (10th in program history).
Kowar was named All-SEC Second-Team in the 2018 season.
In the 2018 MLB Draft, Kowar was drafted 33rd overall by the Kansas City Royals. Kowar is currently in Double-A with the Kansas City Royals and is their fifth ranked prospect.
Relief Pitcher: (1)
1. RHP Michael Byrne
Coming out of high school, Michael Byrne was one of the least talked about prospects in his class. However, Byrne might be a top five player the Florida Gators signed in their 2015 recruiting class.In his collegiate career, Byrne was mostly the closer and probably the best closer in program history. At Florida, Byrne posted a 1.88 ERA with 172 strikeouts and 35 saves (program record).
Byrne’s 2017 season was particularly spectacular as he was a key piece in Florida’s 2017 National Championship. Byrne had a 1.67 ERA, 93 strikeouts and 19 saves (program record).
In the 2018 MLB Draft, Byrne was taken in the 14th round by the Cincinnati Reds. Byrne is currently in Class A Advanced with the Reds.
Catcher: (1)
1. Mike Zunino
Coming out of high school, Mike Zunino was a top 100 prospect in the country.Once he got to Florida, Zunino made an immediate impact and became one of the top players in program history.
During his Florida career, Zunino had a .327 batting average, 47 home runs (5th in program history), 175 RBIs (7th in program history) and had a 1.013 OPS.
In his junior season, Zunino was the first Gator to win the Dick Howser Trophy and the Johnny Bench Award.
In the 2012 MLB Draft, Zunino was drafted third overall by the Seattle Mariners. Zunino is currently with the Tampa Bay Rays and is entering his eighth season in the MLB.
Infielders: (4)
1. Pete Alonso
Not only is Pete Alonso is one of the best Gators but he’s also one of the best players in the MLB.Alonso is coming off a historic season as he won N.L. Rookie of the Year and broke the rookie home run record with 51.
At Florida, Alonso was a three-year starter and one of the top first basemen in the country. In his college career, Alonso hit .316 with 23 home runs, 124 RBIs and had a .924 OPS.
In his junior season, Alonso broke out with a .374 batting average, 14 home runs, 60 RBIs and a 1.128 OPS.
Following his junior season, Alonso was named a First-Team All-American and a Dick Howser Award finalist.
Alonso was drafted 64th overall in the second round by the New York Mets in the 2016 MLB Draft.
2. Jonathan India
Jonathan India was a part of the 2017 National Championship team and also had one of the best seasons by a Gator this decade.Coming out of high school, India was a Perfect Game All-American. He was the 70th ranked high school prospect in the country.
At Florida, India was also one of the most consistent players on their roster. In his three seasons at Florida, India batted .310 with 31 home runs, 126 RBIs and a .941 OPS.
India had a junior season to remember as he batted .350 with 21 home runs, 51 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and a 1.214 OPS.
India was the 2018 SEC Player of the Year. India was also a First-Team All-American and Gold Spikes Award Semifinalist.
In the 2018 MLB Draft, India was drafted fifth overall by the Cincinnati Reds. He’s currently is the 93rd ranked prospect in the MiLB.
3. Dalton Guthrie
While he might not have been a star, Dalton Guthrie was a key contributor in all three years he was at Florida.Coming out of high school, Guthrie was the 82nd ranked prospect in the country.
In his three years at Florida, Guthrie compiled a .289 batting average with 37 home runs and 71 RBIs. Guthrie was also one of the top defensive shortstop in the SEC and country.
In his junior season, Guthrie was the leadoff hitter and best defensive player on Florida’s National Championship team. Guthrie was named to the 2017 SEC All-Defensive Team.
In the 2016 MLB Draft, Guthrie was drafted in the sixth round (173rd overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies.
4. Richie Martin
Richie Martin is another top defensive shortstop that has come out of the University of Florida in this decade.Coming out of high school, Martin was the 131st ranked prospect and the ninth ranked middle infielder in the country.
In his three years at Florida, Martin hit .284 with 27 doubles, 81 RBIs and 45 stolen bases.
In his junior season, Martin batted .291 with 11 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 36 RBIs and 20 stolen bases and was a 2015 Brooks Wallace Award Finalist (best shortstop).
In the 2015 MLB Draft, Martin was drafted 20th overall by the Oakland A’s. Martin is currently on the Baltimore Orioles’ MLB roster.
Outfielders: (3)
1. Preston Tucker
Before becoming a MLB player, Preston Tucker had an illustrious career at the University of Florida.Coming out of high school, Tucker was the 345th ranked prospect in the country. Tucker would spend four terrific years at the University of Florida and batted over .300 every season.
He was also a four-year starter while playing for the Gators. In his career at Florida, Tucker batted .329 with 57 home runs, 258 RBIs and a .985 OPS. He ranks near the top of many program records at Florida.
He’s #1 in at-bats (1,035), doubles (70), RBIs (258), total bases (596). He’s also #2 in home runs with 57 only behind Matt LaPorta.
Tucker was drafted in the seventh round by the Houston Astros in the 2012 MLB Draft. He’s currently playing with the Kia Tigers in KBO League in Japan.
2. Harrison Bader
Harrison Bader is another current MLB player that makes the Florida Gators All-Decade team.Coming out of high school, Bader was the 500th ranked prospect and the 147th ranked outfielder in the country.
Bader had a solid career at Florida.
In his UF career, Bader batted .313 with 20 home runs, 112 RBIs, 36 stolen bases and a .858 OPS.
His junior season was fantastic as he batted .297 with 17 home runs, 66 RBIs, posted a .959 OPS and a 1.000 fielding percentage. Bader was voted Second-Team All-American by Perfect Game.
In the 2015 MLB Draft, Bader was the 100th overall pick (third round) by the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s currently the starting centerfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.
3. Nelson Maldonado
Last but definitely not least on the Florida Gators All-Decade Team is Nelson Maldonado.The four-year starter had a great collegiate career at the University of Florida and topped it off with a stellar senior season.
Coming out of high school, Maldonado was the 500th ranked prospect and the 56th ranked outfielder in the country.
In his four years at Florida, Maldonado batted .292 with 40 doubles, 31 home runs, 149 RBIs and a .845 OPS.
Maldonado was always one of Florida’s most important hitters in their lineup. On the 2017 National Championship team, Maldonado led the team in hitting as he batted .299.
As a senior, Maldonado hit .343 with ten home runs, 43 RBIs and had a .983 OPS. He was all on the 2019 All-SEC First-Team.
In the 2019 MLB Draft, Maldonado was the drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 21st round.
__________
With the success that the Florida baseball program has endured over the course of the entire decade, it’s extremely difficult to name an All-Decade Team.
What names do you feel we may have missed or omitted? Comment on this post or get engaged on Facebook and Twitter.
Buddy Reed & Nolan Fontana r the first ones that jump out for me. I’m sure I can add one of two but we may need a bigger roster to b fair. Not happening I’m sure but your list is hard to argue with.