Florida received another transfer from the Junior College ranks when left-handed pitcher Mason Laurito pledged to the Gators on Monday afternoon. Laurito’s commitment marks Florida’s 7th transfer addition of the offseason and third pitcher.
“Excited to announce I’ll be continuing my baseball career at the University of Florida,” Laurito wrote in a social media post.
From Forest High School in Ocala, Florida, Laurito committed to Gulf Coast State College as a member of the 2023 recruiting class, where he ranked No.23 amongst left-handed pitchers in the state of Florida.
Laurito pitched to a 2-1 record with a team low 3.34 ERA in 11 starts as a true freshman. In 32.1 innings pitched, Laurito struck out 42 batters and walked 29 while holding a WHIP of 1.61. Laurito has a solid three pitch mix with a fastball that sits in the low 90’s, a changeup, and a sweeping slider that can generate swing and miss.
Laurito is difficult to hit when throwing strikes, posting a .193 batting average against in year one, a number that shows his ability to create weak contact. Laurito will need to improve on his command as he walked 29 batters and hit an additional 12 in 32.1 innings of work. That equates to 1.26 free passes an inning on average.
Florida was looking to add a left-handed pitcher to the transfer class after the departures of LHP’s Cade Fisher and Robert Satin this offseason. Laurito has the stuff to find a role in the Gators’ bullpen as early as 2025, but the transfer pitcher has three years of eligibility remaining and is draft eligible in two.
Laurito joins Clemson’s Billy Barlow and Sante Fe’s Matthew Jenkins as transfer pitching additions this offseason.
