Hayden Yost’s bat has ignited at the right time for Florida baseball.
Despite only starting in 21 games this season, Yost has hit 10 home runs.
His 10th came in the Gators’ 8-3 win over Vanderbilt to help UF advance to the SEC quarterfinals on Wednesday, May 20.
However, the recent numbers for Yost are staggering: nine of his long balls came in SEC games, while in the last nine games, he has launched seven homers. This is notably aided by a three-homer performance against LSU in the regular-season finale.
According to Yost, the key has been communication from the lineup and learning how to adjust to pitchers.
“I think that’s something I think we’ve done a really good job of over the last couple of games of communicating what the pitches look like and where they are kind of attacking us and then allowing each guy to have a different plan to go have success up there,” Yost said.
The adjustments at the plate worked as Blake Cyr and Brendan Lawson each homered, while Yost was 3-for-4 and a triple shy of the cycle as Florida (38-18) will face Alabama in the SEC quarterfinals.
“Today (the conversation) was more like what’s the pitch doing,” Yost said. “Is it sinking? Is it running? It’s the cutter, or is it a short cutter, or more of a longer cutter? Kind of stuff like that, and let everybody know what it kind of looks like before you get up there. That way, you can form your own plan on how you want to attack the pitcher.”
In the month of May, Yost has batted .410, going 16-for-39 at the plate. The outfielder has driven in 16 runs and scored 15 times during a 13-game stretch.
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Is Florida baseball’s Hayden Yost peaking at the right time? Inside his recent tear
Reporting by Andrew Abadie, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
