Observations From the First Weekend of Gator Baseball Practice

The Florida Gators baseball team opened spring practice with a trio of open practices and scrimmages over the weekend.

Gator baseball opens the 2023 season with a three-game series against Charleston Southern at Condron Family Ballpark beginning on Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.

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Jac Caglianone Shines in Two-Way Role

Jac Caglianone is expanding his role in his second season with the Gator baseball team.

The second-year infielder took the mound on Saturday’s scrimmage and made an immediate impact for the Blue team. Through his first two innings of work, Caglianone struck out four batters while allowing two hits and one earned run. Additionally, one of his pitches clocked in at 97 miles per hour, per 24/7 Sports’ Jacob Rudner.

Caglianone also recorded two hits in two at-bats, including an RBI double, on Saturday.

Colby’s Clutch Hitting, Homers Galore and Other Top Plays

In only a four-inning scrimmage on Friday, Colby Halter paved the way for the Orange squad to take a 6-4 win. The junior infielder recorded a walk-off RBI triple after a base hit in his first at-bat.

Freshman catcher Luke Heyman earned bragging rights on Friday by recording the first home run in the spring scrimmages. His two-run blast gave the Blue team a late 4-1 lead and had an exit velocity of 102 miles per hour.

Meanwhile, in Sunday’s scrimmage, Ty Evans and Matt Prevesk traded home runs in back-to-back innings. Additionally, pitcher Tyler Nesbitt made the play of the day with scrimmage-ending 1-6-3 double-play off a shot right back to him.

Two-Sport Athlete on the Gator Baseball Roster

An under-the-radar addition to the 2023 Gator baseball team makes his way straight from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Backup quarterback Max Brown joined the team as the spring semester began after redshirting for the football team in the fall. Brown is listed as a right-handed outfielder on the baseball roster and will wear No. 66.

In Sunday’s scrimmage, Brown split time as the DH and left fielder for Blue, recording a base hit, a double and two stolen bases.

#Gators QB Max Brown with a base hit in today’s baseball scrimmage. Splitting time between DH and LF today @InsideTheGators @ESPNGainesville pic.twitter.com/XPHr3xY4yU

— Cam Parker (@camparker25) January 29, 2023

A three-star quarterback and member of Billy Napier’s first recruiting class, Brown shined at shortstop for Lincoln Christian in Tulsa, Okla. Perfect Game ranked the dual-sport athlete as the No. 3 shortstop and No. 10 overall player in Oklahoma.

Brown will likely be a depth utility player for the Gators this season.