Taylor Gushue has come a long way since the first time Gators coach Kevin O’Sullivan told him he would be starting at first base.
“It was (against) William & Mary,” Gushue remembers. “I was so nervous over there.”
That was 19 days ago, but things tend to move fast for Florida’s youngest player. In December, he graduated from Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale. One month later, he was enrolled at UF, balancing the onset of a new life with trying to prove himself as a baseball player.
Brought in as a catcher, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound freshman’s greatest opportunity for playing time was expected to be as a designated hitter or as occasional relief for junior catcher and 2011 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Mike Zunino. But on Feb. 25, a new possibility opened up.
“I actually never played first base in high school at all,” Gushue said. “I got some experience this summer (playing travel ball) and they’ve been working with me a lot at first base.”
O’Sullivan inserted him into the first-base shuffle to get his bat into the lineup more often. Through 16 starts, Gushue has hit .308 with four home runs and 12 RBI. The only game he didn’t play in this season was No. 1 Florida’s only loss.
Gushue has been the starting first baseman in seven of the past eight games for the Gators, a midweek game with Florida A&M (3-15) being the only exception. During that stretch, Gushue has come through in major spots.
Against No. 14 Miami, he went 3 for 4 with two home runs and 4 RBI. In Sunday’s 3-2 win over Florida Gulf Coast, he had the game-winning home run.
“I have no answer,” O’Sullivan said when asked about Gushue’s success. “Everything he does is just kind of surprising, to be honest with you. It’s just a remarkable story.”
While his transition may be a surprise, nothing about success is new to Gushue. In his three seasons of high school baseball, he hit .472 with 30 homers and was a first-team all-state selection all three years.
His emergence at first has put him into a category with some of Florida’s most well-known players. Other players to start at the position for the Gators this season include senior Preston Tucker and juniors Brian Johnson and Austin Maddox.
But if the recent trends continue, it appears the spot is Gushue’s to lose. A switch hitter, there are no concerns about platooning him based on opposing pitchers.
“Him being able to play as well as he’s played and learn a new position, it’s just remarkable,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s an athlete, and he’s competitive.”
Freshman Taylor Gushue is hitting .308 with four homers and 12 RBI this season despite a switch from catcher to first base.
