Gators catcher Mac Guscette entering transfer portal
Florida Gators catcher Mac Guscette is entering the transfer portal. The sophomore announced his decision on Twitter on Friday afternoon.
“Gator Nation, I have made the very difficult decision to put my name in the transfer portal,” Guscette wrote. “Although my time at UF started in the fall of 2020, I have been a Gator since I first committed to UF baseball back in 2016. I want to thank Coach O’Sullivan, Coach Bell, Coach Jeroloman, Coach Kopp, and all of the support staff and volunteers within the baseball program and athletic department who helped and supported me while at UF.”
“A sincere thank you to Coach O’Sullivan for his class and professionalism in understanding my decision to transfer and his continued support. I have made lifelong friendships with many of my Gator teammates. Although we may not be on the same field again, we are forever linked. I m eternally grateful for your friendship and support. Lastly, I want to thank Gator fans. Thank you for all of the great memories. I wish nothing but success for the Gators. Thank you for an incredible two years.”
Guscette was a selfless teammate
As he stated, Guscette committed to Craig Bell and Kevin O’Sullivan back in 2016 when he was a freshman in high school. He has been a Gator far longer than the two years he spent in Gainesville.
Guscette arrived in the fall of 2020. He played his first
In 2022 Guscette hit .238 with five home runs and 18 RBI over 36 appearances (30 starts). He began the season as the starting catcher but lost his job to BT Riopelle. Guscette continued to be the consummate teammate. Guscette backed up Riopelle and when freshman catcher Rene Lastres went down with injury he went to the bullpen.
With only two available catchers Guscette would routinely run down from the bullpen to warm up the pitcher when Riopelle made the last out or was stranded on base. He’d catch a few warm-up tosses and then, in full catcher’s gear, run back down to the bullpen.
Guscette finished the season on a four-game hitting streak. He returned to the lineup in a big way in the SEC Tournament, going 3-5 with a home run against Alabama.
Guscette will have two years of eligibility left when he picks a new school.
Guscette’s departure leaves the Gators thin at catcher. Freshman Rene Lastres underwent Tommy John surgery in May. That will likely keep him off the field for the 2023 season. Sources close to the Gators baseball program have told Gators Online that BT Riopelle is expected to return to Florida in 2023. Riopelle is a junior with one more year of eligibility. He will likely be drafted next month after hitting .304 1ith 15 home runs and 55 RBI. He’ll have a decision to make but loves Florida and playing in college.
