On Thursday, the SEC coaches’ poll results were released.
As a team, the Gators were picked to win the SEC East with 11 votes. They also received two votes to claim the SEC.
Four individuals, which was league-high, were named First Team Preseason All-SEC. Jac Caglianone, Cade Kurland, Colby Shelton and Brandon Neely were the Gators honored.
Jac Caglianone: the name everyone knows on Florida Baseball. Following his 2023 Golden Spikes Finalist year, Caglianone has been named with several Preseason honors. He was named to Golden Spikes 2024 watch list. In addition, he was also named Preseason Two-Way Player of the Year by Perfect Game and Preseason First Team All-American by Perfect Game for the 2024 season. The sky is the limit for Caglianone’s 2024 season.
Cade Kurland in his freshman season hit 17 homeruns and had a .297 batting average. The second-baseman was awarded for his rookie campaign by being named Freshman All-American by BA, CB, D1Baseball, Perfect Game; SEC All-Freshman Team; and First Team All-SEC.
Colby Shelton also earned many honors in his freshman campaign. Shelton transferred from Alabama this past summer and will be a huge contribution to the Gators this season. He was named to the freshman All-SEC team, a Second Team Freshman All-American by NCBWA and Baseball America, First Team Freshman All-American by D1Baseball, and Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball News.
Brandon Neely earned a number of awards after his standout sophomore season when he transitioned to his role as a closer. In 2023 he was awarded with NCBWA Stopper of the Year Finalist, First Team All-SEC, and Second Team All-American by NCBWA. He was a member of USA Baseball Collegiate National Team with Caglianone this past summer. This year, he was also named Preseason Third Team All-American by PG. He will be a vital member of the Gator’s pitching staff this season.
The Gators 2024 campaign kicks off Friday February 16th. Opening weekend features a 3-game series against St. John’s.
ChompTalk.com 
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