Lead Singer

Brady Singer strives to complete the Florida three-peat by following Alex Faedo and A.J. Puk from the College World Series to the first round.

- Teddy Cahill

The reality of being a national champion is still setting in for Brady Singer. A couple weeks after helping Florida beat Louisiana State in the College World Series finals to win its first national title, Singer said what the Gators accomplished will occasionally hit him.

When he does think about the national championship, he said it means the world to him.

“That’s something I’m going to remember until the end of time, being a part of the first national championship,” the rising junior righthander said. “It means so much to me and to the guys.”

Singer played a critical role in the national championship run. Voted a Preseason All-American by major league scouting directors, he had a strong regular season as a part of Florida’s dynamic rotation of junior righthander Alex Faedo and fellow sophomore righty Jackson Kowar. Singer found yet another level in super regionals and finished the season by going 2-0, 1.80 with 32 strikeouts in 20 innings in his final four appearances. He won both of his starts in Omaha, including the first game of the championship series, which pushed Florida to the precipice of the national title.

Singer finished his sophomore year 9-5, 3.21 with 129 strikeouts in 126 innings. That performance, combined with his massive talent—his fastball sits in the low to mid-90s with plenty of run and sink, and he adds in a sharp slider with a changeup in reserve—and elite competitiveness has him positioned as the top collegian in the 2018 draft class. He’s also the early favorite to be the first overall pick next year.

“This guy’s going to pitch forever,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “It’s not just ability. He’s extremely talented, and he has a competitive spirit. He’s just different. That’s hard to come by.”