On Monday afternoon, left-handed pitcher Mason Laurito committed to the Gators, becoming another transfer from the Junior College levels. With Laurito’s pledge, Florida added its third pitcher and seventh transfer of the offseason.
Laurito posted on social media, saying, “I’m excited to announce that I’ll be continuing my baseball career at the University of Florida.”
Laurito, a 2023 prospect from Forest High School in Ocala, Florida, committed to Gulf Coast State College. He was ranked No. 23 among left-handed pitchers in the state of Florida.
As a true freshman, Laurito made 11 starts and pitched to a 2-1 record with a 3.34 ERA that was team-low. Laurito pitched 32.1 innings, giving up 29 walks and 42 strikeouts with a 1.61 WHIP. With a fastball in the mid 90s, a changeup, and a sweeping slider that can produce swing and miss, Laurito has a strong three-pitch combination.
Laurito is a tough hitter when he throws strikes; his first-year batting average against (.193) indicates that he can produce poor contact. Laurito needs to work on his command because in 32.1 innings of work, he hit 12 batters and walked 29 others. That’s an average of 1.26 free passes each inning.
Following the winter departures of LHPs Cade Fisher and Robert Satin, Florida was hoping to bolster its transfer class with a left-handed pitcher. Laurito is a transfer pitcher with three years left on his eligibility and is eligible for the draft in two, but he has the tools to establish himself in the Gators bullpen as early as 2025.
Laurito is the third transfer pitcher added this summer, joining Billy Barlow of Clemson and Matthew Jenkins of Sante Fe.
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