Feb. 11, 2026, 3:01 p.m. ET

After taking a look at Florida’s catchers and infielders, it’s time to shift the focus to the guys out on the grass — the outfielders.

This might be the strongest group of outfielders Florida has had in some time. It’s a shame there are only three starting spots to use these guys at. The return of Kyle Jones makes the outfield instantly better, and both Blake Cyr and Hayden Yost are upperclassmen with experience playing in the SEC. 2024 College World Series hero Ashton Slugger and Blake Brookins also return.

The new guys aren’t to be overlooked, though. Freshmen Cash Strayer and Jacob Kendall have made some loud noise in the preseason, and Jacksonville transfer Jaden Bastian might have fit into the starting lineup if not for an injury during the fall.

Let’s take a look at what each guy offers heading into the 2026 campaign.

Projected Starting Center Fielder: No. 3 Kyle Jones (R-So.)

Jones came to Florida ahead of the 2025 season after dominating at the mid-major level with Stetson as a freshman. He was a 2024 NCAA Gold Glove finalist, the ASUN Freshman of the Year and slashed .351/.456/.472 with the Hatters. His elite speed made him a true center fielder and a threat on the bases. Then, an injury took him out for all but four games of last year. He redshirted and is now making his highly anticipated return to the diamond.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

Now healthy, Jones figures to be a top-of-the-order bat for the Gators, likely taking over the leadoff spot thanks to his elite eye. Jones walked (33) more than he struck out (27) as a freshman. He can track down anything in the outfield and makes the team better on both sides of the ball.

Projected Starting Left Fielder: No. 16 Hayden Yost (Jr.)

Yost played in 32 games as a true freshman in 2024 and posted a serviceable .284/.400/.358 slash line over 67 at-bats. He suffered an injury toward the end of the year but returned for the 2025 regular season to slash .259/.380/.392 over 60 games (55 starts). He has the profile of a center fielder, but Jones’ presence will shift him over to a corner spot. Yost is long and speedy with good range, but he lacks a power presence at the plate.

If he can tap into the pop consistently, the sky is the limit for him. Look for him to hit toward the bottom of the lineup as a second leadoff man of sorts.

Projected Starting Right Fielder: Blake Cyr (Sr.)

In truth, the right field spot is up for grabs at this point. Multiple players have shown they are capable of hitting and fielding well enough to start there, but Cyr has more experience, so we expect him to get the nod. The Miami transfer made the transition to full-time outfielder last year, starting 54 games in left and two at second base. He hasn’t quite tapped into the power swing he showed with the Hurricanes while in the SEC, but the potential is still there.

Cyr slashed .254/.358/.429 last year over 205 at-bats, hitting nine home runs and nine doubles with 34 RBIs. He can be a bit strikeout-prone at the plate, but he has a career wRC+ of 115, thanks to a peak of 141 as a freshman. A return to form would be welcome, but others are nipping at his heels if not.

Injured: No. 0 Jaden Bastian (Jr.)

Bastian transferred from Jacksonville and was expected to compete for a starting spot in center or left, but a compound fracture in the fall will keep him out most of the year. While unfortunate, Florida has the depth to survive that blow to the depth chart. He could return late in the season, but it makes more sense for himto redshirt and retain the year of eligibility.

Freshmen: No. 26 Cash Strayer (Fr.) and No. 43 Jacob Kendall (Fr.)

Freshmen don’t usually play much in the SEC, but the duo of Kendall and Strayer has impressed in Gainesville early on. Kendall, in particular, looks ready to go, hitting consistently in scrimmages off of Florida’s elite arms. He’s still growing and will provide more pop in the future, but the tools are all there for him to take over a corner outfield spot should Yost or Cyr struggle.

Strayer is no slouch, either. He’s a bit bigger than Kendall and will likely provide more power based on the early exit-velocity numbers. He profiles better in right field and got the start against Georgia Southern in the fall. Expect both of these guys to get opportunities during the midweek and at designated hitter from time to time.

Reserves: No. 25 Blake Brookins (Jr.) and No. 30 Ashton Wilson (Sr.)

Brookins and Wilson are back, but it’s going to be tough for them to find consistent playing time with all the talent on the roster.

Brookins is used to that. He’s seen just 18 plate appearances over the past two seasons, but there’s a lot of offensive upside thanks to his 6-foot-6, 218-pound frame. Competition is good, and so is loyalty. If he can impress during whatever early-season opportunities he gets, Kevin O’Sullivan may reward him down the line.

Wilson has the benefit of being a utility player who could slot into the infield, much like Justin Nadeau. His best days might be behind him, but it’s hard to replicate the 2024 postseason he had. Wilson was the Stillwater Regional MVP after slashing .429/.455/.714 with a home and three doubles and had 10 RBIs over the entire postseason. He slumped to a .22 average in 117 at-bats last year, though, and looked lost at times. There’s always the chance for redemption, but he’ll start the season as a depth piece.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.