Florida's baseball program announced a verbal commitment from Oregon State left‑hander Trey Morris, a freshman who earned Freshman All‑American honors last season. Morris revealed his decision on Instagram on Tuesday, June 16, signaling the end of a recruiting battle that had drawn attention across the SEC.
A Left‑Handed Boost for Florida's Rotation
Morris arrives with a compelling statistical profile: a 1.98 ERA, a 0.83 WHIP, a 7‑0 record and 67 strikeouts across eight starts and 16 appearances for the Beavers. In 59 innings he yielded just 13 earned runs, 34 hits and 15 walks, showcasing a command that belies his age.
His arsenal features a low‑90s fastball paired with a mid‑80s changeup that generated a 61.3% whiff rate, complemented by a sharp slider and a breaking curveball. The mix has made him one of the most effective left‑handed starters in the Pac‑12 this year.
The Gators' pitching staff entered the 2025 season with a glaring shortage of left‑handed depth, having relied on a single southpaw, sophomore Jackson Hoyt, after the departures of Rivers Kurland, McCall Biemiller and Eli Blair to the transfer portal. Ernesto Lugo‑Canchola, the primary left‑hander last year, logged 30 appearances but posted a 5.77 ERA, underscoring the need for additional options.
Coach Rich Dorman, who recently joined the Florida staff after following Morris from Oregon State, highlighted the recruit's fit both on the mound and in the clubhouse. Dorman said, 'Trey brings a calm confidence and a work ethic that aligns with what we want to build.' His arrival is expected to accelerate the integration of advanced analytics and pitch‑design strategies that Dorman introduced at the university.
The commitment also reinvigorates Florida's recruiting narrative, positioning the Gators as a destination for top talent from the West Coast. With Perfect Game and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association already recognizing Morris as a First‑Team Freshman All‑American, the program hopes to translate that national acclaim into on‑field success.