2023 Baseball Season Preview: Shortstop

Shortstop is another position of strength for Florida heading into 2023 with senior Josh Rivera locked into the starting spot and plenty of talented depth options behind him.

Rivera could have gone pro a year ago, but he opted to return for another season as Florida’s starting shortstop. He’s started 131 games for the Gators over the last three years, so the job is his to lose. There’s already MLB interest surrounding Rivera, but he could earn himself a serious paycheck if he puts it all together for the first time.

While it does give Florida a clear starter at shortstop, Rivera’s return has caused a minor log jam in the infield. With Colby Halter and Rivera holding down the left side of the diamond, Deric Fabian is left fighting for a starting spot at first base or second and will most likely be used in a utility role sending on the matchup. If Rivera’s glove and bat suffer, Fabian is the one who will get a chance to replace him at short, though.

Starter: No. 24 Josh Rivera

Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News

Height: 6-2

Class: Junior

B/T: R/R

Hometown: Avon Park, Florida

High School (Previous Univ.): IMG Academy

Josh Rivera is the unquestioned starter at Florida heading into his fourth year with the program. D1Baseball ranked him the 14th-best shortstop in college baseball heading into the year.

Rivera’s bat has been up and down in college, but he did add a little more pop to his bat in a down 2022. If he can bat around .300 against the SEC and hit double-digit home runs, Rivera should get drafted within the first five to six rounds.

His glove is good and getting better, and he’s getting more disciplined at the plate too. Another year in college could be great for Rivera, and it’s nice for Florida to have a sure thing at shortstop for another year.

Backup: No. 23 Deric Fabian

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

Height: 6-3

Class: Sophomore

B/T: R/R

Hometown: Ocala, Florida

High School (Previous Univ.): North Marion

It’s the same story here as we’ve said in each infield preview for Deric Fabian. His bat should warrant a spot in the lineup, but he’s not the best option at any of the four infield positions to take over the everyday role yet. He could very well end up as Florida’s daily shortstop in 2024, but Rivera isn’t likely to lose his role.

Fabian will get plenty of at-bats, but he’s not going to unseat Rivera unless an injury occurs. Look for him at second and first more often than third and short, except in blowouts and rest days for the starters.

Backup: No. 1 Dale Thomas

AP Photo/Ben McKeown

Height: 5-10

Class: Junior

B/T: R/R

Hometown: De Leon Springs, Florida

High School (Previous Univ.): Bishop Moore (Coastal Carolina)

[autotag]Dale Thomas[/autotag] is a talented middle infielder that will compete for a share of the starting second base spot all year, but he could see some time at shortstop too. At Coastal Carolina, Thomas served mainly as a third baseman, but he has seen time at second and shortstop.

With Rivera locked into the starting spot and Fabian in need of as many looks as possible, Thomas may be the third option at shortstop (or even the fourth). That’s not a bad thing as long as he gets regular playing time at second base, and it’s good to know Florida has options if the injury bug ever bites hard.

Freshman: No. 4 Cade Kurland

Credit: David Rosenberg

Height: 5-11

Class: Freshman

B/T: R/R

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

High School (Previous Univ.): Berkeley Prep

Cade Kurland will be Florida’s shortstop at some point, but he might not see time there in 2023. Kurland held down the position for his high school and was slick with the glove. There are too many guys ahead of him to compete for time there now, but Kurland could get plenty of time at second base this season.

Reserve: No. 5 Colby Halter

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Height: 6-1

Class: Junior

B/T: L/R

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

High School (Previous Univ.): Bishop Kenny

Colby Halter is Florida’s starting third baseman and should stay at that spot all season. If Rivera went down, though, there’s a chance Kevin O’Sullivan moves Halter over from third and puts Fabian, Thomas or [autotag]Tyler Shlenut[/autotag] at third.

Otherwise, Halter is a reserve option that won’t need to worry about playing a secondary position.

Read more

Check out Gators Wire’s other position previews for the 2023 season:

• Catchers

• First Basemen

• Second Basemen

• Third Basemen

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1369]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Story originally appeared on Gators Wire