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Florida Gators prospect Steven Echavarria signs deal with Oakland Athletics

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•07/17/23
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OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 25: Kevin O'Sullivan of the Florida Gators observes the national anthem with his team prior to Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals against the LSU Tigers at Charles Schwab Field on June 25, 2023 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kevin O’Sullivan

The Florida Gators baseball program just took a huge hit, losing one of their top recruiting for their incoming class. According to MLB.com senior pipeline writer Jim Callis, the Gators’ incoming right-handed pitching and outfield prospect Steven Echavarria won’t make it to Gainsville, FL, after agreeing to terms with the team who selected him in the 2023 MLB Draft, the Oakland Athletics.

“3rd-rder Steven Echavarria signs w/Athletics for $3 mil (pick 72 value = $1,005,700). Biggest overslot deal so far this year, I believe. NJ HS RHP, mid-90s fastball reaches 98 mph w/ride, distinct slider & curveball intriguing as well. Florida recruit,” wrote Callis via Twitter.

Echavarria was selected by the Athletics with the No. 72 overall pick, which is valued at $1,005,700. But in order to acquire his services over the Gators and not potentially lose their rights to sign him, Oakland had to nearly triple the value of his contract to get him to join their ballclub’s development system.

Echavarria is a talented right-handed pitcher and outfielder from Millburn, N.J., where he earned a top-50 rank from Perfect Game. He was the top-rated player from the state of New Jersey.

More on Echavarria

Echavarria, who is 17, finished his last year at Millburn High 8-1 when pitching. He finished the season with a sweltering 0.28 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 50 innings of work.

Echavarria has a heater for a right arm with his fastball reaching as high as 98 mph. The A’s new pitching talent also has a dangerous breaking ball too. Those two pitches made him nearly unhittable in his final season in high school.

Ahead of the 2023 MLB Draft, the team over at Perfect Game had this assessment on Echavarria:

“Steven Echavarria is a 2023 RHP/OF with a 6-2 175 lb. frame from Millburn, NJ who attends Millburn. Long and lean high waisted athletic build, still 16 years old and looks like it. Long and loose arm circle from a high flexible leg raise delivery, stays on line well, high 3/4’s arm slot, works very quickly.

“Fastball sat in the low 90’s and topped out at 94 mph, had hard diving action at times on his lower velocity fastballs. Slider was his pitch, gets on top of it well and has feel for shaping it, can go big or short with it, comfortable back dooring left handed hitters with the pitch. Only threw one change up. Strike thrower who has lots of positive emotion on the mound, very quick and efficient outing. Good student.”