Four Gators Make Top-100 D1 Baseball Prospects List

On Monday night, D1BASEBALL released its annual MLB Draft: Top 100 College Prospects list. Out of the 36 SEC players included in the article, four of them play for the Orange & Blue.

https://twitter.com/gatorsbb/status/1704225118006726803?s=46&t=y_a5N4wxDqW5OfvcGRBMjA

The Four Horsemen

At the top of the rankings, 2023 ABCA National Position Player of the Year and 2023 Unanimous First Team All-American Jac Caglianone was named the No. 1 prospect. The other Gators include 2023 Freshman All-American Colby Shelton (No. 50), 2023 Second Team All-American Brandon Neely (No. 67) and 2023 All-SEC Freshman Luke Heyman (No.99).

“CagliOhtani”

The 6-foot-5 two-way slugger is considered the best of the best after his historic sophomore season. Caglianone put up 33 homeruns, 90 RBIs and 208 total bases, which are all University of Florida program records. He also put up 91 total hits, 14 doubles, two triples and 74 runs last season. “Cags” led the Orange & Blue with 29 multi-hit games and 22 multi-RBI performances. Additionally, he put up a .323/.389/.738 slash line.

On the pitching side of things, the Tampa native started 18 weekends, went 7-4 with 87 strikeouts, a 4.34 ERA and a .190 BAA in 74 2/3 innings. Additionally, he was the only player on the Gators to start all 71 games that the team played.

Following an impressive season, Florida’s No.1 draft prospect will have the eyes of Gator Nation and the rest of the world on him.

https://twitter.com/fantavious9/status/1673514904689491968?s=46&t=y_a5N4wxDqW5OfvcGRBMjA

Tuscaloosa to The Swamp

After playing for the Roll Tide last year, infielder Colby Shelton is coming into The Swamp with lots of buzz.

Shelton is coming off of an Freshman All-SEC season where he had 25 home runs, setting an Alabama school record for most home runs by a freshman. He brought in hit stats of .300/ .419/ .729 and was ranked seventh in the nation in homers.

Shelton also contributed to 10 doubles, one triple, 51 RBI and 49 runs scored. Batting next to Caglianone, the Gators will look to the Lithia, Florida, native to produce the way he did in Tuscaloosa.

https://twitter.com/11point7/status/1651023303115436034?s=46&t=y_a5N4wxDqW5OfvcGRBMjA

Nothing Funny ’bout Neely

It’s no surprise Neely made the list.

Last season, the sophomore was an integral part of the Gators’ bullpen. He made the 2023 First Team All-SEC by leading the conference with 13/14 saves and by holding opponents to a .223 batting average. Neely pitched out a 3.58 ERA while setting a team-high of 34 appearances. With a 3.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, the Seville, Florida, prospect allowed 46 hits in 55 1/3 innings and struck out 72 batters.

Entering his junior year, Neely is expected to be the go-to guy and a dominant closer for the Gators.

Brandon Neely transitioned into the closer role this year for Florida, recording 13 saves in 34 APP. His 3.58 ERA with 72 Ks earned him a spot on team USA’s collegiate national team this summer. Big velo jump from last year with his FB, now sitting 94-96. pic.twitter.com/qWR7ylZCSb

— gabriela vitale (@gabyvitalee) July 7, 2023

Heyman Hits, Catches and More

What can’t Luke Heyman do? The sophomore made the All-SEC Freshman team after playing 55 games with 51 starts as catcher, first base and designated hitter. Heyman put up 12 home runs, two triples and six doubles. He also had 30 runs, 39 RBI and one stolen base. Doing this all with a slash line of .314/.366/.555.

Even though Heyman comes in at No.99 on this list, he is very well someone who can make a big leap in the rankings once the season gets underway.

https://twitter.com/gatorsbb/status/1669892945510813697?s=46&t=y_a5N4wxDqW5OfvcGRBMjA

The Return of the Gators

With four Top-100 prospects, and after finishing runner-up in the College World Series Final, this team is set to start right where they left off.

Florida will return to the mound for its first practice on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 4 p.m.