Preston Tucker set the standard for first-year Florida players.
Tucker was named the Freshman Hitter of the Year last season after leading the Gators in home runs, RBIs and batting average.
“It was the best freshman season that I’ve ever seen anyone have,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said in the preseason.
But, just one year removed from Tucker’s historic freshman campaign, designated hitter Austin Maddox is threatening to raise the first-year bar even higher.
Maddox homered in each game of No. 7 Florida’s (25-10, 10-5 Southeastern Conference) series against Kentucky last weekend, and the freshman will try to extend his long-ball streak when the Gators travel to play South Florida (16-19, 8-4 Big East) tonight at 7.
“I’m seeing the ball real well right now,” said Maddox, who was named the SEC Freshman Hitter of the Week and leads the Gators with 12 home runs, 42 RBIs and a .369 average.
If Florida wins enough in the postseason to play 64 games like the team did last year, Maddox is on pace to hit 22 homers and drive in 77 runs. In 2009, Tucker hit 15 long balls and drove in a school-record 85 RBIs while hitting .364.
One difference between the two players is their plate discipline.
Maddox has only drawn three walks and has struck out 23 times, one more punch out than Tucker recorded during the whole 2009 season.
But O’Sullivan is not concerned.
“He’s not Nolan Fontana,” O’Sullivan said, referring to the Gators leadoff hitter who has drawn 26 walks this year. “If he takes a walk instead of a hit, that might cost us a few runs.”
The coaching staff also wants Maddox to swing at anything he thinks he can hit, the freshman added.
“They’ve told me since Day 1, ‘Be aggressive,’” Maddox said. “That’s what I’m doing. That’s what kind of hitter I am.
“I walk up there, and if I get a pitch around the zone I’m going to hack at it.”
Maddox has solidified himself as the team’s power hitter, but he has started every game in his first year yet questions still linger about his durability.
Most highly recruited preps play all year, but they split time between their high school team and an AAU squad.
Playing one long season without any breaks wore Tucker out last season.
“I was pretty exhausted,” he said. “(The freshmen) are, probably not just yet, but are going to start wearing down.”
Tucker talked to Maddox and the other newcomers about preparing for “the grind,” even if that helps Maddox in his race against Tucker 2009.
