Florida baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more

Florida baseball enjoyed a successful 2024 season. The Gators reached the College World Series for the second consecutive year.

Following the program's loss to the LSU Tigers in the 2023 CWS championship series, the Gators hoped to go a step further. However, they produced a mediocre regular season, finishing with a 13-17 conference record in the SEC. They needed an at-large bid to make the NCAA Tournament following a first-round loss in the SEC Tournament.

However, they turned their fortunes soon after, embarking on one of their greatest postseason runs ever.

Seeded third in the Stillwater Regional, they stunned the Oklahoma State Cowboys twice en route to winning the regional. They then swept the Clemson Tigers in the Clemson Super Regional to return to Omaha as the only unseeded team in the field of eight. They fell just one step short of returning to the College World Series finals, losing the last game of Bracket 2 to the Texas A&M Aggies.

The 2024 MLB draft saw the Gators lose some of their best players, the most prominent being two-way sensation Jac Caglianone. However, Kevin O'Sullivan and the program are working hard in the offseason to prepare themselves for next year.

Here's a preview of the Gators ahead of the 2025 NCAA baseball season.

3 key games for Florida baseball in the 2025 season

#3, South Carolina Gamecocks

The new format for the SEC sees the Gamecocks as one of the two permanent opponents for the Gators in 2025. Although the Gators lead head-to-head in the Kevin O'Sullivan era, the return of veteran Paul Mainieri as the Gamecocks' new coach could make this game important for both teams next season.

#2, LSU Tigers

A repeat of the 2023 College World Series finals, the clash between the Tigers and the Gators could have major repercussions for their seasons next year. With the Tigers embarking on a strong recruitment drive this offseason and the Gators keeping some of their stars from 2024, they could even be competing against each other for glory in the postseason.

#1, Florida State Seminoles

The Sunshine Showdown could reach new levels in 2025. Both teams made the trip to Omaha this season and were among the top-hitting teams in the postseason. They are likely to face each other in the regular season, and with higher expectations from fans, this could be one of the top games in 2025.

Key players for the Florida Gators in 2025

#3, Jake Clemente, RHP

Clemente was one of the top performers in the Gators' bullpen in his redshirt freshman season in 2024. He finished 2-0 while recording 39 strikeouts with an ERA of 5.34 in 28.2 innings. He also struck out 12.2 batters per nine innings, which was impressive.

Clemente is ranked 51st in the top prospects for next year's draft. With the Gators losing Jac Caglianone and top closer Brandon Neely in the draft, Clemente will be expected to take on a bigger role in the bullpen next season.

#2, Cade Kurland, INF

Kurland was among UF's top hitters. The sophomore recorded 14 home runs and 44 RBIs with an average of .245, taking part in 62 of the Gators' 66 games.

Ranked 95th among the top prospects for next year's draft, Kurland will be motivated to impress in 2025 to improve his chances of earning a higher pick in next year's MLB draft.

#1, Colby Shelton, INF

The Washington Nationals picked Shelton in the 20th round of this year's draft. However, he forewent that opportunity to return to the Gators for the 2025 season. While Caglianone stood out as the Gators' biggest threat at the plate, Shelton was among their most consistent hitters in 2024.

He recorded 20 home runs and 56 RBIs with an average of .254 while being one of four Gators' hitters to play all 66 of their games. With Caglianone now in pro baseball, the Gators will look to Shelton to lead their hitting lineup in 2025. Shelton, ranked 34th in the top prospects for next year's draft, will also hope to enjoy a good junior season to earn a higher pick.

Predicting Florida Gators' 2025 baseball season

The loss of Caglianone could have a massive impact on the Gators for 2025 given that players like him are rare. However, the Gators have kept some of their top talents from this season and also recruited top high school prospects to cover their losses in the draft.

With O'Sullivan's immense experience and a talented roster, the Gators are likely to make the postseason next year. They could also make it to Omaha once again and, with a few more additions to their bullpen, could even reach the College World Series finals.