Coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s baseball approach relies on good pitching supported by solid defense.
Enter Austin Maddox, a potential hindrance to this philosophy.
The sophomore slugger and reigning Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year is Florida’s best returning hitter, but the third baseman also happens to be the weak link in the field at a position where balls are hit the hardest.
After he led the team in hits, home runs and RBIs, there is little concern over the possibility Maddox will experience a sophomore slump. Instead, questions linger whether he can man the hot corner for a full season.
A year after playing 29 games at third base and leading the team with 12 errors, Maddox has committed himself to getting in shape and developing as an infielder.
“He has been determined since the summer on to make himself the best defensive third basemen he can,” O’Sullivan said. “His body has changed. He dedicated himself in the offseason to get better defensively, and he’s done great so far.”
Maddox started the season as Florida’s designated hitter and backup first baseman during the 2010 campaign. But after Bryson Smith went down with a finger injury, Maddox moved to a position he had not played since the ninth grade.
Formerly a standout high school catcher, the experience was trial by fire for the Freshman All-American.
Overwhelmed and admittedly nervous, Maddox had three days to relearn the position before his debut against Florida Gulf Coast midway through the 2010 season.
O’Sullivan acknowledged Maddox was placed in a difficult situation, “but he handled it great,” he said.
While his handling of the transition went well, his adaptation to his new position was mixed. In the 29 games he played at third, Maddox was pulled for a defensive replacement 20 times.
Despite holding the lowest fielding percentage of any Gators regular a season ago, Maddox and O’Sullivan have gone full steam ahead with his newfound position.
With the help of UF trainers and Paul Chandler, the baseball strength and conditioning coordinator, Maddox has lost 10 to 15 pounds and improved his flexibility, first-step quickness and agility.
The sophomore said he has taken over 100 ground balls every day since the summer.
“I’ve done a great job at changing my diet, and it’s really paid off,” he said. “I want to stay over there [third base]. I feel comfortable over there and I’ve gotten a lot better over there just working my butt off.”
“He’s worked awfully hard and deserves a lot of credit,” O’Sullivan said. “We feel real comfortable with him right now.”
