Three Georgia Bulldogs to watch against Florida
(HECTOR PREVIEW)
The Florida Gators will play their final series of the 2024 regular season this weekend. The Gators will travel to Athens, Georgia for a three-game series versus the Georgia Bulldogs starting Thursday night.
The Bulldogs are one of the best teams in college baseball. They also have the best hitter in college baseball who’s expected to be the #1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Here are three Georgia Bulldogs to watch against the Gators this weekend.
1B Charlie Condon
Redshirt sophomore first baseman Charlie Condon is the best hitter in college baseball. Condon leads all of college baseball in batting average and home runs. He already broke Jac Caglianone’s home run record in the BBCOR era which he set last season.
During the 2024 season, Condon has played and started in 50 games. Condon is slashing .454/.567/1.082 with 88 hits, 18 doubles, 34 home runs, 72 RBIs, 46 walks, 75 runs scored, and a 1.649 OPS.
Condon is one of the favorites to win the Golden Spikes Award with Florida’s Jac Caglianone. The Gators might have to give Condon the Barry Bonds treatment and not pitch to him in this series. Florida needs to play well in this series in order to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
2. RHP Kolten Smith
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Kolten Smith is the projected Thursday starting pitcher on Georgia’s pitching staff. The Sunshine State native doesn’t have the best numbers but has done a good job of punching out batters.
On the season, Smith has made sixteen appearances and one start. Smith has posted an 8-2 record with a 4.73 ERA. He also has a 1.16 WHIP, a .245 opponent batting average, and 82 strikeouts and twelve walks in 53.1 innings pitched.
Smith has a four-pitch mix which includes a fastball, sweeper, cutter, and changeup. Smith’s fastball sits 92-95 mph and has been clocked at 96 mph. He mixes his slider and cutter well and features a good changeup.
3. OF Corey Collins
Senior outfielder Corey Collins has been one of the best hitters for the Bulldogs during his collegiate career. Collins is having a monster season and should be getting more recognition than he has received.
In his senior season, Collins has played 42 games and started 36. Collins is slashing .367/.598/.800 with 44 hits, four doubles, 16 home runs, 49 RBIs, a team-high 48 walks, and a 1.398 OPS.
The Florida pitching staff will have to pitch very carefully when facing Corey Collins. I don’t expect to pitch to Charlie Condon in the regular season series finale. With that being said, Collins will have more opportunities and is a dangerous hitter if you leave anything over the plate.
(HECTOR PREVIEW)
The Florida Gators will play their final series of the 2024 regular season this weekend. The Gators will travel to Athens, Georgia for a three-game series versus the Georgia Bulldogs starting Thursday night.
The Bulldogs are one of the best teams in college baseball. They also have the best hitter in college baseball who’s expected to be the #1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Here are three Georgia Bulldogs to watch against the Gators this weekend.
1B Charlie Condon
Redshirt sophomore first baseman Charlie Condon is the best hitter in college baseball. Condon leads all of college baseball in batting average and home runs. He already broke Jac Caglianone’s home run record in the BBCOR era which he set last season.
During the 2024 season, Condon has played and started in 50 games. Condon is slashing .454/.567/1.082 with 88 hits, 18 doubles, 34 home runs, 72 RBIs, 46 walks, 75 runs scored, and a 1.649 OPS.
Condon is one of the favorites to win the Golden Spikes Award with Florida’s Jac Caglianone. The Gators might have to give Condon the Barry Bonds treatment and not pitch to him in this series. Florida needs to play well in this series in order to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
2. RHP Kolten Smith
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Kolten Smith is the projected Thursday starting pitcher on Georgia’s pitching staff. The Sunshine State native doesn’t have the best numbers but has done a good job of punching out batters.
On the season, Smith has made sixteen appearances and one start. Smith has posted an 8-2 record with a 4.73 ERA. He also has a 1.16 WHIP, a .245 opponent batting average, and 82 strikeouts and twelve walks in 53.1 innings pitched.
Smith has a four-pitch mix which includes a fastball, sweeper, cutter, and changeup. Smith’s fastball sits 92-95 mph and has been clocked at 96 mph. He mixes his slider and cutter well and features a good changeup.
3. OF Corey Collins
Senior outfielder Corey Collins has been one of the best hitters for the Bulldogs during his collegiate career. Collins is having a monster season and should be getting more recognition than he has received.
In his senior season, Collins has played 42 games and started 36. Collins is slashing .367/.598/.800 with 44 hits, four doubles, 16 home runs, 49 RBIs, a team-high 48 walks, and a 1.398 OPS.
The Florida pitching staff will have to pitch very carefully when facing Corey Collins. I don’t expect to pitch to Charlie Condon in the regular season series finale. With that being said, Collins will have more opportunities and is a dangerous hitter if you leave anything over the plate.
