Coach Kevin O’Sullivan has been tight-lipped regarding when and where certain players will see action this season, and not just to the media.
A week away from opening day, few players know their exact role this year.
Despite early speculation that All-American Preston Tucker would be moved permanently to right field, O’Sullivan announced that's not necessarily the case. Although the former first baseman said he hasn’t played a single inning on the right side of the infield since last season, Florida’s coach listed Tucker among several names that could see action at first.
“There’s a lot of baseball to be played, and a lot of questions to be answered,” O’Sullivan said. “We’re going to play a lot of different guys the first 15-20 games before we start SEC play, and we are going to let the players figure it out.”
Tucker said he hopes to play right field, but will be confident wherever the coaches play him.
Junior Tyler Thompson, a platoon leftfielder a season ago, also said he is unsure how the other two outfield positions will shake out.
“Wish I could tell you,” he said. “But I have no idea.”
Thompson, who started 37 games in left and hit four home runs in the College World Series last season, said the competition and excitement are driving the players, and that they are just ready for the season to start.
According to both Thompson and O’Sullivan, lefty Kamm Washington and right-hander Bryson Smith are potential candidates to fill the void in center field left by former All-SEC standout Matt den Dekker.
Lineup depth
While much has been made of Florida’s heralded pitching staff, UF’s lineup may be just as potent.
Although many players don’t know where they’ll actually be lining up, Tucker said the lineup would be unaffected by who plays because it has so much depth.
“I think we’ve got enough talent to put just about anyone out there,” he said. “We’ve got nine guys in the lineup that can hit. We’re going to score a lot of runs. Whether it’s walks or hits, we’re going to be a tough lineup to pitch to.”
While Tucker, Austin Maddox and Brian Johnson look to make up a powerful middle of the order, O’Sullivan cited multiple other hitters he has confidence in, especially lauding catcher Mike Zunino.
“Everybody talks about 3-4-5 in the lineup,” O’Sullivan said, “But when you start talking about Zunino and the other guys, it may be a pretty tough lineup top to bottom. I’m hoping that it ends up that way.”
