Josh Adams had little idea what position he would play for most of last season, as he split time between six positions.
This year, he could be almost as confused.
The sophomore will start the season in the infield, most likely at third base, but Adams could also see time at shortstop and second.
Senior Brandon McArthur is the only other lock to start in the infield, but he plays multiple positions as well, lining up at first or third base.
With the loss of shortstop Cole Figueroa to the MLB Draft, Adams will be looked at to join McArthur as a leader of the infield. No matter where he plays on opening day, teammates can expect to hear from him.
"If I'm at short, second, third, wherever, I'm still going to have the same vocal voice as I would if I was in the outfield," Adams said.
The only other returning infielder with experience is junior Clayton Pisani, but his career has been inconsistent. He has started 70 games in his two years but has a .263 career batting average, dropping to .242 in Southeastern Conference play.
Coach Kevin O'Sullivan hopes Pisani will be able to put together a solid year at second base.
"I'm looking forward to him stepping up his game and being more consistent," O'Sullivan said. "He has been in the system for four years now, he's played in SEC play, he's had some success in the past, and I'm hoping he can jump his game up."
If Pisani shows inconsistencies, freshman Jerico Weitzel has been working to prove he can be the everyday second baseman.
Weitzel isn't the only freshman the Gators are expecting to contribute in the infield this year. First baseman Preston Tucker has been wowing teammates and coaches with his power from the left side of the plate.
"I don't understand how you can hit the ball that far," Adams said of Tucker's hitting ability.
Tucker's raw power reminded McArthur of when he first saw former Gator Matt LaPorta hit.
While his hitting has been impressive, he has been working on bringing his defense up to par. Even if his defense isn't ready, Tucker should still find a spot in the lineup as the designated hitter.
Defense has been one of the main things O'Sullivan has said the Gators need to improve from last year.
Palm Beach Community College transfer Mike Mooney brings a glove that comes with plenty of awards. He was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year both years at PBCC and NJCAA Division I Easton Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. He also earned the Region 8/Gulf District Defensive Player of the Year honor and was named to the Rawlings Gold Glove team.
Mooney is the leading candidate to replace Figueroa at short, but he has also seen time at third in scrimmages.
During fall practices, Mooney surprised coaches by displaying he could hit well, too.
"Coming in, I think from all the awards I've won and all the stories about me, they expected near perfection in the infield, and whatever they get at the plate, they get," Mooney said. "I came in and showed them I can hit a little bit, and from the defensive standpoint, I hope I've lived up to expectations."
