Super Regionals haven’t even been played and the transfer portal is already running wild in college baseball.
The Florida Gators added a pair of commitments from the portal on Thursday, kicking off what should be a busy cycle for the Orange and Blue. Notre Dame right-hander Ricky Reeth and Wabash Valley (JUCO) catcher AJ Malzone are the newest Gators. Florida has also already lost players from its 2025 roster. Left-handed reliever Jacob Gomberg was the first of likely several departures from a squad that came up short in many ways.
Let’s take a closer look at both new players and what their roles might be with the team.
Notre Dame RHP Ricky Reeth
A Windermere, Florida native who played high school ball at West Orange, 6-foot-4, 190-pound Ricky Reeth has provided Notre Dame with three years of solid relief work out.
Reeth’s numbers have improved each year. His ERA dropped from 6.46 over 15.1 innings in 2023 to a 5.21 over 48.1 innings a season ago. He followed that up with a 4.31 this season, and the K rate has climbed above 21% while keeping the walk rate at 6%. He has a fastball that can sit anywhere from 89-93 mph and top out at 94. His main secondary pitch is a low-80s sweeping slider, and he also uses a high-70s changeup.
Florida struggled to figure out the hierarchy of its bullpen this year, going with a closer-by-committee at one point. Reeth might not be the closer for Florida next year, but he’s a stable, veteran presence in the bullpen, assuming Jake Clemente leaves for the draft. Reeth could also be a vital piece of recruiting fellow Notre Dame transfer and battery mate Carson Tinney.
Wabash Valley College (JUCO) C AJ Malzone
One of the primary objectives Florida has in this transfer cycle is to replenish the catchers’ room. Brody Donay and Luke Heyman can and likely will leave for the MLB draft, and Florida has JUCO transfer Cole Bullen and rising redshirt freshman Brock Clayton left behind the dish. Bullen might be gone too after four years of college ball, but the point stands that Florida needs catchers.
Enter AJ Malzone out of Wabash Valley (Illinois), who batted .347 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI last season en route to an all-conference and all-region nod. Malzone flashed some speed with 13 stolen bases and walked (36) more than he struck out (35).
https://x.com/ajmalzonee/status/1930681294939160583
Transfer Season Just Getting Started
These early additions are important to help fill out Florida’s roster, but the Gators are looking to fill several key spots that neither Malzone nor Reeth addresses.
Bobby Boser and Colby Shelton are both likely to depart, opening the door for a left-side infielder to join the roster. Brendan Lawson could move to one of those positions, especially if Donay drops catching and sticks at first base. Still, the Gators are in the market for a starting shortstop or third baseman — Dayton freshman Rylan Lujo is a potential add up that alley.
With Clemente and Coppola also in the draft mix, Florida needs left-handed arms and a Sunday starter. Reeth is good right-handed bullpen depth, but he’s not going five innings every weekend in the SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida baseball earns two transfer commitments
Reporting by David Rosenberg, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
