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.
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.”
This story is from the August 04 2017 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 04 2017 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.
ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS
For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS
No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.
NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM
The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors
INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever
HIGH-FLYING BIRDS
Learning from past success and failure in Houston, Mike Elias and his united front office remade the Orioles into winners— and they got there ahead of schedule
ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Early promotions of star prospects led to a bit of a down season for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Even before the Rookie-level Florida Complex League season began, scouts who saw extended spring training gushed over the Yankees' talent, starting with shortstop Roderick Arias and 6-foot7 pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange. Outfielder John Cruz mashed 10 home runs as a 17-year-old.
SALAS COULD BE SPECIAL
When Ethan Salas arrived in the California League on May 30, he immediately displayed talent well beyond his years.