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The University of Florida's baseball program is reshaping its roster as the 2026 season approaches, with a mix of departures and high‑profile transfers shaping the outlook.
Zach Edwards joins a Gators roster in flux, bringing a 5.68 ERA and a high‑velocity arsenal as the team navigates a wave of transfers.
The Gators have added two Oregon State pitchers and several other transfers, while awaiting draft decisions from key players before the portal closes on June 30.
John Martinez, a former Florida Gators infielder, is set to rejoin the University of Florida after spending the last two seasons at Florida Atlantic University. During his time with the Owls, Martinez compiled a .290 batting average and a .755 OPS while appearing in 110 games, and he posted a .973 fielding percentage that highlighted his reliability at the hot corner. Now playing for the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape Cod League, he has opened his summer campaign with a .556 average over two games, underscoring the carry‑over of his offensive spark. The Gators have seen a wave of movement in the transfer portal, with seven pitchers and three position players entering the transfer market, while the coaching staff has secured fresh talent through recent commitments. Among the newcomers are former FGCU catcher Jon Embury, Jacksonville State right‑hander Maddox McDougall, Oregon State southpaw Trey Morris and Utah State infielder Kyle McDaniel, each of whom bring a mix of power and poise to the roster. Coach Rich Dorman, who has guided the team’s pitching staff for several seasons, expressed confidence that the blend of returning veterans and fresh arms will restore depth and competitiveness as the schedule unfolds. The moves reflect a broader trend in college baseball, where player mobility has become a central theme, prompting programs to adapt strategies both on and off the diamond.
Veteran infielder John Martinez rejoins the Florida Gators after a standout season at FAU, adding versatility as the program reshapes its roster ahead of the 2026 draft.
The University of Florida’s baseball program is entering a critical phase of reconstruction as it seeks to shore up a roster that has seen several key departures in recent weeks. With the transfer portal set to close at the end of June and the MLB Draft slated to begin in mid‑July, the Gators are balancing the urgency of filling gaps with the uncertainty of how incoming talent will fit into the 2027 lineup.
The Gators lose several standout players to the draft and the portal, while welcoming fresh talent with strong collegiate credentials, setting the stage for a competitive 2026 campaign.
Florida adds left‑handed ace Trey Morris from Oregon State, while several pitchers enter the portal and new transfers Jon Embury and Maddox McDougall commit.
Despite a 10‑2 loss to Troy in the Gainesville Regional final, the University of Florida baseball program is turning to the transfer portal to replenish talent while confronting the departure of nine seniors and projected MLB draftees.
Eli Blair, a left‑handed pitcher from J.R. Arnold High in Panama City Beach, announced his move to the transfer portal on Monday, joining several other Florida players seeking new opportunities.
Florida’s rising sophomore left‑hander Eli Blair announced his transfer on Monday, joining a wave of southpaws exiting the program while the team welcomes new talent ahead of the next season.
Trey Morris, a freshman All‑American left‑hander, commits to the University of Florida, adding depth to a pitching staff that needed left‑handed options.
Florida’s baseball team secured commitments from Oregon State pitcher Trey Morris, a freshman All‑American with a 1.98 ERA, and Utah Tech infielder Kyle McDaniel, a .340 hitter, as the Gators prepare for a competitive offseason.
Left‑hander Rivers Kurland has entered the transfer portal, leaving Florida with only two southpaws and prompting coach Kevin O'Sullivan to prioritize left‑handed talent in the upcoming cycle.
Rivers Kurland, a top‑ranked left‑hander from the 2025 class, has entered the transfer portal, prompting Florida to overhaul its pitching staff and target new talent.
The Gators are reshaping their roster after a disappointing 2026 NCAA Tournament, losing several draft‑eligible pitchers and positioning a new class of talent to fill the gaps.
The Gators enter the NCAA Tournament as a top‑eight seed, hosting the Gainesville Regional with a lineup that combines power, precision and emerging arms, but they must tighten a shaky defense and navigate the health of a key starter.