Florida baseball adds Coastal Carolina catcher Tanner Garrison
OMAHA, Neb. — The Florida Gators had success with one transfer portal catcher from Coastal Carolina, so they’re dipping back into the well. The Gators have landed a commitment from catcher Tanner Garrison.
The Gators will still be looking for another catcher in the transfer portal to add to Luke Heyman and Garrison. Heyman will be the projected starter for Florida but the Gators didn’t have depth behind the freshman who is tearing it up in Omaha.
The 6-3 backstop hit .275 in 38 games last season for the Chanticleers. As a junior he played in 31 games on the season, starting 22. Garrison hit .263 with three home runs, two doubles, 11 RBIs, and 13 runs scored. He posted a .408 slugging percentage and a .385 on-base percentage on the year. He threw out 14 would-be bases stealers.
Garrison’s first season with the Chanticleers came in 2020. He played in 2021, 2022, and 2023, meaning he would have two more years of eligibility, given the free year awarded to all spring sport athletes in 2020.
Tanner Garrison gives the Gators depth
The Gators were loaded at catcher for the 2023 season. BT Riopelle and Luke Heyman took most of the starts and playing time, with Riopelle starting the most games behind the dish. The freshman Heyman has played catcher, first base, and designated hitter for Florida this season. Florida also had Rene Lastres and Salvy Alvarez but both have entered their names in the transfer portal and won’t be on the team for the 2024 season.
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While Heyman will be the expected starter for the Gators in 2024, Florida needed to add another catcher. It’s a tough position and there’s no way you can go through a whole season with just one. Florida will continue to look to add another catcher in the transfer portal.
The Gators have leaned on BT Riopelle this season. The graduate senior has played in 65 of 67 games this year and made 64 starts. The catcher will play his final game of baseball for the Gators this week in Omaha. Riopelle has decided to hang up his cleats after this season and has already accepted a job in the financial world, where he’ll start next month.
“They’re excited. It gives them a reason to watch college baseball and see somebody that’s going to be in there a month,” Riopelle said before the College World Series. “They’re not huge baseball guys. I know one guy played Division II baseball on the team that I’m joining. They’re super excited, and I’m very happy to be joining them in a month. Not too soon, though.”
