Cade Kurland nearing a return to Florida Gators lineup
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Cade Kurland played in 68 of the Florida Gators‘ 71 games during a Freshman All-American season in 2023 but has been on the shelf for four of Florida’s first eight games in 2024. The fastball he took on the hand in the series opener against Columbia, luckily, didn’t break a bone but it has kept Kurland out of the lineup for a week.
That could change this weekend when the Gators travel south to renew their annual rivalry with the Miami Hurricanes.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said on Wednesday night. “If he’s ready to play he’ll play. It’s a bruise so it’s pretty much how the swelling (is doing) and that type of thing. He feels good right now. He’ll take (batting practice) for the first time (Thursday). If he’s ready to play Friday — if his hand allows him to — he’ll be right back in the lineup.
Kurland was a steady presence for the Gators in 2023. He slashed .297/.404/.555 with 17 home runs, 17 doubles, 75 runs, 50 RBI and four stolen bases. His 17 home runs were more than any Florida second baseman in a single season in team history while ranking second all-time in homers among Gator freshmen behind JJ Schwarz (18). Kurland also had assumed the leadoff role for the Gators this season.
In just four games he is batting .375 (6-16) with eight runs scored and two RBI. He’s a key piece for the Gators and a player that will be in the lineup every day when healthy.
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Two players have stepped up in the absence of Cade Kurland
Without Kurland in the lineup, senior transfer from Florida Atlantic Univeristy Armando Albert has gotten a chance to start the last four games. Centerfielder Michael Robertson flipped from ninth in the order to leadoff and the pair have excelled.
Robertson has gotten on base and scored six times since Kurland went down with his injury. Albert, a senior, has played a steller second base while hitting .444 (4-9) and has a .688 on-base percentage. While the two have been good, the Gators will welcome Kurland and his offensive production back as soon as he’s ready.
“In order to have a good offense you can’t have many holes in it,” O’Sullivan said. “Ideally, you want to be able to score in all nine innings, even when you get down to the bottom half of the order — 7, 8, 9 — you have some productive at-bats. Mikey has done a nice job at the leadoff spot but certainly, we’re looking forward to getting Cade back.”
