The Florida Gators added three baseball players from the transfer portal over the Fourth of July weekend.
Ole Miss infielder Ethan Surowiec, Columbia shortstop Sam Miller and Lenoir-Rhyne catcher Cole Stanford are the newest members for the Orange and Blue. Miller and Stanford made their pledges on the holiday, and Surowiec followed on Sunday.
Florida also added catcher Karson Bowen two weeks ago. Bowen is draft eligible, however, which means he could ultimately decide to go pro if he likes the offer he gets. It’s commonplace for players to commit to SEC and other Power Four programs for leverage in draft negotiations. UCLA’s Kelly Austin, who committed to Florida, is a recent example. Austin ultimately signed as an undrafted free agent.
SS Sam Miller (Columbia)
With Colby Shelton moving on from the program, Florida needs a shortstop. There are internal options, but adding depth remained a priority for the Orange and Blue. Sam Miller is a quality answer to a big question.
The Ivy League Player of the Year slashed .338/.407/.606 as a junior. His 73 hits, 14 home runs and 57 runs batted in led the conference.
Miller might be the favorite to start at shortstop for Florida next year. He’s proven and experienced, and the Gators only have a few options. Cade Kurland could move over if he doesn’t go in the draft. Kurland’s been a second baseman his entire collegiate career, but he played there in high school, giving him as much experience as the three freshmen coming in at the position.
C Cole Stanford (Lenoir-Rhyne)
The other big position of need for Florida this offseason is at catcher. Luke Heyman is draft-eligible, Brody Donay is as well, and both reserve catchers are in the transfer portal.
Stanford excelled at the Division II level over the past three seasons. He slashed .393/.480/.757 and earned an All-South Atlantic Conference First Team nod in the process. His 20 home runs are the third-most in program history, and he walked as many times as he struck out (27).
Florida now has three incoming catchers from the transfer portal behind Donay and Heyman, setting the Gators up nicely for whatever happens during the draft. Wabash Valley College’s AJ Malzone and Bowen should also compete for playing time with Stanford, assuming both starters depart.
INF Ethan Surowiec (Ole Miss)
Suroweic only saw 21 plate appearances as a freshman at Ole Miss, slashing .375/.524/.750 with two home runs and eight runs batted in. A strong summer league performance has raised his profile, though. Through almost 100 at-bats with the Northwoods League Duluth Huskies, Surowiec slashed .427/.513/.844 with seven homers and 36 RBIs.
Surowiec has played first base, third base, shortstop and right field this summer, giving him plenty of versatility on the field. Florida typically adds a utility player each offseason, and Surowiec is plenty qualified, having already played some SEC ball.
There’s a high ceiling here, and Surowiec could prove to be one of the biggest additions of the offseason.
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