Florida's 2020 baseball recruiting class is finalized

With the 2020 MLB Draft completed, the Gators' 2020 recruiting class is finalized.

The Gators originally signed 17 commits before the MLB Draft. Florida’s top two signees, Zac Veen and Coby Mayo, were both selected and are expected to sign with the teams that drafted them. Florida also lost one of their signees in first baseman T.J. Curd, as he was released from his National Letter of Intent and is currently an uncommitted recruit.

With that being said, Florida will still bring in 14 commits from their 2020 recruiting class. On Perfect Game, Florida has the nation's fifth-ranked recruiting class, as well as the fourth-ranked recruiting class in the SEC.

Below is Kevin O'Sullivan's 2020 recruiting class.

INF Sterlin Thompson

Thompson is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound infielder out of North Marion High School in Ocala, Florida. On Perfect Game, Thompson is the 55th-ranked prospect and ninth-ranked shortstop. He’s also the 13th-ranked prospect and third-ranked shortstop in Florida.

Thompson was originally a Stetson commit before backing off his commitment and flipped to Florida a week later. He is also be the last commit to sign his National Letter of Intent after signing in February.

Thompson is a left-handed hitting infielder with plus contact and power. In his shortened senior season, Thompson showcased his pull-side power and ability to hit to all fields. He’s a good glove but will likely be moved all around the infield.

Thompson’s best tool is his bat. He's a player who could see a lot of playing time as a true freshman.

C Mac Guscette

Guscette is a 6-foot, 193-pound catcher out of Venice High School in Nokomis, Florida. On Perfect Game, Guscette is the 59th-ranked prospect and sixth-ranked catcher in the country. He’s also the 14th-ranked prospect and second-ranked catcher in Florida. Guscette remaining in Florida’s class is huge for the program, as he’s the only Perfect Game All-American who will remain in Florida’s class.

Guscette made his commitment to the Gators early in his high school career and stayed true to his word. He is an overall sound defensive catcher with one of the best pop times in his class (1.88) and his in-game pop time is sub 2. He also has a lot of offensive upside with his pull-side power and quick bat speed.

Catcher is deep position in Gainesville, so he could see some playing time at first or be used as a defensive substitute behind the plate.

INF Colby Halter

Halter is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound infielder out of Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida. On Perfect Game, Halter checks in as the nation's 78th-ranked prospect and 17th-ranked shortstop. He’s also the 17th-ranked prospect and fourth-ranked shortstop in the Sunshine State.

Halter is coming off a terrific summer in which he played for the U.S.A. 18U National Team and hit .333 in MLB’s PDP League. He made his pledge to the Gators as a freshman and is one of Florida’s strongest commits.

This in-state product is the definition of a ball player. He’s a grinder that does everything well on the diamond. He doesn’t have any tools that will wow scouts but is an overall very fundamentally sound player that can play all over the infield and hit to all fields with solid power. Halter has the ability to not only play but to start as a true freshman.

LHP Timmy Manning

Manning is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed pitcher out of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale. On Perfect Game, Manning is the 87th-ranked prospect and the seventh-ranked left-handed pitcher in the country. In the state of Florida, he's the 20th-ranked prospect and second-ranked left-handed pitcher.

Manning spent most of his summer playing in Major League Baseball’s PDP League, showcasing the ability to miss bats and force weak contact with more than just a fastball. Manning is UF's highest-ranked pitching commit in the class.

When it comes to most top pitching prospects, fastball velocity is typically what's looked at first; however, that’s not the case for Manning. He doesn’t possess a mid-90s fastball with sink, and sits upper 80s and tops out around 90-91 mph.

What separates Manning from the rest is his command and ability to change speeds. He does a good job of hitting his spots and possesses some plus secondary pitches, such as his curveball. Manning had one of the best curveballs in his draft class and can throw that pitch on any count, resulting in some swing and misses or rollovers. Expect Manning to get some innings and possibly some starts as a true freshman.

3B Wyatt Langford

Langford is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound third baseman out of Trenton High School in Trenton, Florida. On Perfect Game, Langford is the nation's 144th-ranked prospect and 12th-ranked third baseman. He’s labeled as the state of Florida's 31st-ranked prospect and third-ranked third baseman.

During that summer, Langford spent his time playing with EvoShield Canes and batted .367 with five doubles, two home runs, nine RBIs and a 1.035 OPS. Langford remained solid to Florida throughout his recruitment and signed last November.

When watching Langford, one thing that sticks out is his bat. The Trenton product has sound hitting fundamentals that helps him drive the ball and hit for power to all fields. His highest exit velocity was recorded at 98 mph, which ranks in the 97.4 percentile.

Langford will be competing for some playing time as a freshman and could get some at bats as a pinch hitter as well.

RHP Lebarron Johnson

Johnson is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed pitcher out of Paxon School/Advanced Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. On Perfect Game, Johnson is the 160th-ranked prospect and 55th-ranked right-handed pitcher. He’s also the 34th-ranked prospect and ninth-ranked right-handed pitcher in the Sunshine State.

Johnson made his commitment to the Gators over a year ago and signed his NLI last November. He made two starts during his senior campaign and finished the season with a 1-1 record and 0.88 ERA. Johnson also struck out 19 batters in only eight innings pitched.

This is one of those recruits who might not be an immediate impact player, but his upside is greater than most of the pitchers across the country. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Johnson still has a lot of room to fill in his long frame.

His fastball tops out 91 mph but should increase as his matures physically. He also possesses a slider but needs to develop a third pitch. A redshirt year might be what Johnson needs, but Florida also has plenty of arms on its staff.

SS/RHP Jordan Carrion

Carrion is a 6-foot-1, 160-pound shortstop out of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida. On Perfect Game, Carrion is the 179th-ranked prospect and 37th-ranked shortstop. He’s also the 39th-ranked prospect and eighth-ranked shortstop in Florida.

Carrion was one of the first 2020 recruits to make a commitment to the University of Florida, and obviously remained solid throughout his entire high school career.

Over the summer, Carrion played for Elite Squad Baseball and batted .400 with 16 hits, 12 RBIs and a 1.003 OPS.

Carrion is a very toolsy, flashy player who is known for his defense. The South Floridian shortstop has one of the softest hands in his class, and also possesses one of the strongest arms. He has the range and hands to make difficult plays look routine.

At the plate, he’s a contact hitter and drives the ball to right field quite often. He doesn’t have much power in his swing but could develop some pop as he matures physically.

Carrion was recruited as a two-way prospect, as he can also be a solid arm out of the bullpen. His fastball sits in the upper 80s and tops out at 92 mph. He also throws an 11/5 curveball with good spin rate and depth. Redshirting Carrion could be the answer as he needs to bulk up a bit to improve his offensive skill set..

SS Tyler Shelnut

Shelnut is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop out of Fort White High School in Lake City, Florida. On Perfect Game, Shelnut is the 369th-ranked prospect and 75th-ranked shortstop. He’s also the 67th-ranked prospect and 13th-ranked shortstop in Florida.

Shelnut made his commitment to Florida as a sophomore heading into his spring season. He always remained solid to Florida and signed with the program last November.

Over the summer, Shelnut played with the 17U Gatorball team. During his shortened senior season, he batted .316 and posted a 2.05 ERA on the mound.

Shelnut is a long, lanky prospect with lots of projectability. His frame gives him a lot of room to fill out. He makes solid contact and his power comes from his pull side. 6.82 runner with quick hands and makes accurate throws. Redshirt season might be best for Shelnut.

RHP Carson Pillsbury

Pillsbury is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound right-handed pitcher out of Seven Rivers Christian School in Lecanto, Florida. On Perfect Game, Pillsbury is the 198th-ranked right-handed pitcher. He’s also the 99th-ranked prospect and 26th-ranked right-handed pitcher in Florida.

He made his commitment in September of 2018 and then his pen to the paper on National Signing Day.

During his high school career, Pillsbury had a 14-6 record with a 2.56 ERA. He also had a 1.31 WHIP and struck out 162 batters in 112 innings pitched. He recorded a trio of saves as well.

Pillsbury is another underrated pitcher that finds ways to get outs without a power fastball. He possesses a fastball that sits 87-89 mph and tops out with sink at 91 mph. He has good tempo that keeps himself in rhythm and hitters off balance. Good split finger that forces weak contact. He needs to work on other secondary pitches and could get redshirted for the 2021 season.

RHP Chase Centala

Centala is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed pitcher out of Sickles High School in Tampa, Florida. On Perfect Game, Shelnut is the 214th-ranked right-handed pitcher. He’s also the 106th-ranked prospect and 30th-ranked right-handed pitcher in Florida.

Centala was originally a South Florida commit before flipping to the Gators last summer. Centala remained solid with Florida and signed his NLI last November. Over the summer, Centala played for Top Tier Roos American Team. He posted a 1-1 record with a 2.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 15 strikeouts.

This isn’t a pitcher who is going to light up the radar gun and record strikeouts left and right. His fastball sits in the high 80s and tops out at 91 mph with good sink movement. His best secondary pitch is his changeup, which forces a lot of weak contact and soft grounders. He also possesses a slurve with nice depth.

Centala could see himself getting innings as a freshman, as he can get out of innings quickly by attacking the bottom of the zone and forcing weak contact.

RHP Blake Purnell

Purnell is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. On Perfect Game, Purnell is the 266th-ranked right-handed pitcher in the country. He’s also the 122nd-ranked prospect and 34th-ranked right-handed pitcher in Florida.

Purnell was one of the last prospects to commit to UF's 2020 recruiting class. He made his pledge last summer, shut down his recruitment, and then signed on National Signing Day.

Over the summer, Purnell suited up for the Ohio Warhawks and posted a 2-1 record with a 3.60 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 20 strikeouts. The addition of Purnell is viewed as a project by many, but he's got the frame and build to be a solid pitcher in the SEC. He still has some work to do before stepping on the mound against elite competition. His fastball sits mid to upper 80s and topped out at 90 mph. A redshirt seasos will give Purnell time to develop.

RHP Ryan Slater

Slater is a 6-foot-3, 170-pound right-handed pitcher out of East Lake High School in Palm Harbor, Florida. On Perfect Game, Slater is the nation's 431st-ranked right-handed pitcher. He also checks in as the 171st-ranked prospect and 45th-ranked right-handed pitcher in the state of Florida.

Slater immediately shut down his recruitment after making a commitment nearly two years ago, and then signed his NLI last November. Over the summer, Slater posted a 1-1 record with a 3.70 ERA. He also had a 1.70 WHIP and 9.0 K/9.

The in-state signee throws a two-pitch mix that includes a fastball and slider. His fastball sits in the upper 80s and was clocked at 92 mph in the spring season. Slater can throw his slider for strikes and is developing another secondary pitch.

Slater could redshirt this upcoming season with all of the arms Florida has on its staff, which would also give him time to fill out his long frame.

RHP Franco Aleman

Aleman is a 6-foot-6, 230-pound right-handed pitcher out of St. John’s River State College in Palatka, Florida. He is only JUCO signee in Florida’s 2020 recruiting class.

On Perfect Game, Aleman was the 80th-ranked prospect and 30th-ranked right-handed pitcher in the class of 2018. He was also the 16th-ranked prospect and seventh-ranked right-handed pitcher in Florida.

Aleman started off his collegiate career at Florida International University. He appeared in 14 games as a freshman, which included 12 starts. He posted a 3-5 record with a 3.97 ERA and struck out 53 batters. He also tossed FIU’s only complete game of the 2019 season when the Panthers competed against Charlotte.

Aleman would then enter himself in the transfer portal over the summer and make his double commitment just a week later. He pledged to St. John’s River State College but also announced he would attend the University of Florida for his junior season.

At St. John’s Rivers State College, Aleman made seven starts and posted a 3-1 record and 3.26 ERA. He also recorded a team-high 51 strikeouts and only walked six. He finished with an 11.87 K/9.

Aleman is a huge keep for the program, as he started off the season as the nation's top-ranked JUCO pitcher. His fastball sits in the low 90s and has been clocked at 96 mph. The Cuban born pitcher relies on a sharp slider and curveball to get swing and misses.

This could be one of Florida’s most used bullpen arms, but Aleman could also receive some midweek starts.