After losing nine players to the MLB draft, UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan can add Tyler Thompson to the list of players the Gators must replace this season.
The redshirt senior decided to leave the team, creating a void in center field.
He is expected to graduate in May, according to a UF release.
Thompson suffered a right ACL tear during Florida’s Southeastern Conference opener against Vanderbilt on March 18. The injury occurred when Thompson rounded first base after reaching on a dropped third strike in the eighth inning.
The NCAA granted Thompson a sixth year of eligibility in June.
Thompson finishes his Florida career with a .280 average, 10 home runs and 64 RBIs. He made 90 career starts, including 80 in either left field or center field.
Defensively, Thompson committed just one error in 183 chances.
Postseason play brought out Thompson’s best at the plate. He hit .339 in 23 NCAA Tournament games. He earned NCAA Gainesville Regional All-Tournament honors during his sophomore and junior seasons.
Thompson scored the only run in Florida’s 2-1 loss to South Carolina in Game 1 of the College World Series Finals in 2011.
Thompson struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, suffering knee, back, hamstring, hand and wrist injuries. Before last season, O’Sullivan was optimistic that Thompson’s injury issues were behind him.
“We are hoping we are able to keep him healthy,” O’Sullivan said during fall practice in 2011. “I know he is, too. He has had some string of bad luck. Hopefully, he is beyond that. He is a very capable defender, and he has worked awfully hard on his arm. I am just excited to see him go a full year injury free.”
Thompson’s season ended when he suffered the ACL tear on March 18. Florida went 13-1 in Thompson’s 14 starts last season.
With former UF outfielder Daniel Pigott in the Cincinnati Reds organization, sophomore Justin Shafer is Thompson’s likely replacement. Shafer batted .284 and made 41 starts in left field when Pigott switched to center to fill Thompson’s void in 2012.
Sophomore Josh Tobias and senior Vickash Ramjit could see time in the outfield. Ramjit made 12 starts in left field primarily against left-handed pitchers last year.
Outfielder Christian Dicks, an Under Armor All-American, headlines the group of incoming freshmen.
Florida opens its season at home against Duke on Feb. 15.
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
UF outfielder Tyler Thompson rounds the bases after his homerun during the Gators' 13-9 win against Kentucky in McKethan Stadium on Saturday, May 17, 2009. (Andrew Stanfill / Alligator Staff)
