D1 college baseball got underway this past weekend for multiple Tiger baseball alumni, and others have already been underway for a few weeks in the JUCO and D2 ranks. Multiple players have already made their impact on the season and even freshmen who have just started their college careers. Check out the highlights from the past week or so here:
Kennie Taylor, Duke
Taylor has started out his senior campaign very strongly, hitting .333 in 4 games, and being one of only 65 players in the NCAA with 3 or more doubles so far. Taylor was elected a team captain prior to the start of the season. Taylor, a 3-year starter, also stole 2 bags in the 4 games. Kennie and Duke take on Northwestern this upcoming weekend, and you can catch the games on WatchESPN.
Clayton Kwiatkowski, FSU
Kwiatkowski started out his 2019 campaign with a perfect 2.1 innings pitched. Kwiatkowski was brought in with FSU down 5-2 in the fourth inning, and set down all 7 batters he faced, including one walk. Clayton used a fastball that sat 89-91 and an effective curveball (78-79) to keep the Maine hitters off balance. Kwiatkowski should see lots of innings out of the bullpen this year for Mike Martin, after throwing 45.1 innings in his sophomore season. The junior will be draft eligible at the end of the season, and could get drafted within the top 10-15 rounds.
Nico Baldor, FSU
Baldor made his FSU debut this past weekend after spending his freshman season at Miami and playing club baseball at FSU in 2018. Nico beat out Cooper Swanson for the starting first baseman job at FSU after a strong fall season. Nico only tallied one hit on opening weekend, but he hit line drives and came up with quality AB's all weekend long. He should start to see some shots fall and produce all season long for the Noles.
Javi Baldor, Tallahassee Community College
The younger Baldor has had himself a perfect start to his college baseball career. Javi has been converted to a pitcher-only this year, with TCC carrying many veteran outfielders. Javi has started the year throwing 14 scoreless innings, in 4 appearances and 2 starts. Javi has only allowed 4 hits and 4 walks in his innings, and has struck out 9 batters. The freshman has logged the second most innings on TCC's staff so far this season.
Steven Lugo, Eastern Florida State College
Lugo has started all 15 games so far this season for EFSC, producing at a high-level. The infielder has drove in ten runs, scored 14 runs, hit two HR's, and has hit .321 on the season. Lugo looks to continue his tear to start the season this weekend against Miami Dade college.
Jeff Hakanson, UCF
Hakanson has only thrown 2 innings so far this year, but all six of his outs have come by way of the strikeout. Hakanson possesses a slider that is nearly un-hittable, which drives his K-rate up. The sophomore could be a key piece coming out of the UCF bullpen this season.
Drew Martin, Eckerd
Martin has started each of Eckerd's Sunday games so far this season. Drew has worked to a 4.5 ERA in 12 innings. He has only allowed 7 hits in those 12 innings of work, but has struggled with his command. If Martin can command his stuff, he could be a force in the Eckerd rotation the rest of the season.
Jack Anderson, FSU
The 3-year workhorse at Jesuit began his FSU career with a 1-2-3 inning against Maine's 3-4-5 hitters. Anderson was the top rated freshman pitcher that FSU signed this season. Jack made his debut on Sunday in FSU's 9-1 win over Maine, and he flashed his best stuff. The righty's fastball sat 90-92, and he complimented it with a good changeup and curveball, which he threw for strikes. Jack will get a good amount of work out of the FSU pen this season. FSU takes on Youngstown State this upcoming weekend.
Other notes:
- Bobby Hearn pitched a scoreless inning for Wake Forest.
- McGuire Weaver made his FSU debut, but the Noles plan to redshirt the INF this season.
- Duncan Hunter started one game for Jacksonville this past weekend.
- Garrett Sheppard made his St. Johns River State College debut.