Three Ole Miss Rebels players to watch versus Florida
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The Florida Gators will hit the road this weekend for their first SEC road trip. The Gators will take on the Ole Miss Rebels in a three-game weekend series. The Ole Miss Rebels are the defending champs and are one of the top team’s in the nation.
The Ole Miss offense have a loaded offense with some of the best hitters in the country. The Rebels even have a player ranked in the top ten on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospect list. Here are three Ole Miss Rebels players to watch against the Florida Gators.
SS Jacob Gonzalez
Junior shortstop Jacob Gonzalez is one of the top prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft. On MLB Pipeline, Gonzalez is the fifth-ranked prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft. He’s also the top-ranked middle infielder in the draft.
In the season, Gonzalez is slashing .342/.485/./570 with 27 hits, six doubles, four home runs, eighteen RBIs, and a 1.055 OPS. Gonzalez is also tied for first on the club in walks with seventeen.
Gonzalez is a dangerous bat the Florida pitching staff will need to be aware of. The left-handed hitting infielder is a good hitter with plus hitting tools and power. Gonzalez tends toward being a pull-happy hitter so Florida might want to pitch him outside.
2. RHP Mason Nichols
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Mason Nichols has been one of Ole Miss’s most consistent bullpen arms. Nichols might even be named the closer for the Rebels as they are still trying to figure that out.
On the season, Nichols has made six appearances. Nichols has posted a 1-0 record. He also has a 1.54 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, 3.8 BB/9, two saves, and a .143 opponent batting average.
The 6’5” 215-pound right-hander out of Jackson, Mississippi possesses a three-pitch mix including a fastball, curveball, and changeup. His fastball sits in the low-90s and tops out around 94 mph.
3. OF Ethan Goff
Senior outfielder Ethan Goff was one of the top players in the Transfer Portal last offseason. The Orlando native made the move from Tulane to Ole Miss and has been one of their best hitters this season.
During the 2023 season, Goff has played and started in all 21 games for the Rebels. Goff is slashing .355/.495/.632 with 27 hits, seven doubles, one triple, four home runs, a team-high ten stolen bases, and a 1.127 OPS.
Goff will be the leadoff hitter for the Ole Miss offense. He’s a speed threat and has become one of the best base stealers in the SEC. Florida’s pitching staff will need to keep him off the bases as he can set the table for the Rebels’ offense.
