With SEC conference play in full swing, it’s all hands-on deck for the No. 7 Florida Gators. But one hand has been dealt a number of cards, some that read first base and others that read second base.
That’s been the deal for freshman Brendan Lawson, who’s played all over the field for the Gators.
Lawson’s journey to the University of Florida wasn’t conventional whatsoever. Growing up in Toronto, Ontario, he was not in a traditional baseball hotbed.
But from an early age, it was clear Lawson had the tools to play at a high level. However, wanting to improve his game, Lawson then left home and attend P27 Academy in South Carolina for his final years of high school.
There, he fine-tuned his approach at the plate, which allowed him to improve as a hitter.
Florida wasn’t the only school interested in him when it came time for recruiting. Several other Power Five programs recruited him, but the choice was clear when the Gators came calling.
“It just felt like the perfect fit,” Lawson said of his commitment to UF. “The coaching staff, the facilities, the competition level — it was everything I was looking for.”
Lawson also played 10 games for the Trenton Thunder in the 2024 MLB Draft League, hitting .334 while boasting an impressive .533 on-base percentage.
Despite the St. Louis Cardinals drafting him as a shortstop in the 19th round of the 2024 MLB draft, Lawson decided to head to Gainesville to continue his development.
The 6-foot-3 freshman infielder has quickly established himself as a key contributor to the Gators. As of March 16, Lawson has played in all 21 games, all as a starter. He boasts a .324 batting average with 23 hits in 71 at-bats, including two doubles and four home runs, accumulating 19 RBIs.
His on-base percentage stands at .462, while he also boasts a .521 slugging percentage, showing his knack for getting on base while also swinging hard.
Defensively, Lawson has been excellent. With 117 total chances, he has recorded 105 putouts and 11 assists, committing only one error, resulting in a .991 fielding percentage while successfully turning 11 double plays.
He started the season primarily at first base. However, Florida capitialized on his versatility following junior second baseman Colby Shelton’s injury on March 1 against Miami.
From there, Lawson shifted over to the two-bag, where he has stayed ever since.
One of the standout moments of Lawson’s career thus far came during UF’s game against Dayton on Feb. 22. In a pivotal at-bat, he launched his first collegiate home run — a grand slam — to put his finishing touches on the game.
“It feels good to get out of the way,” Lawson said to Sports Illustrated’s Kyle Lander about his home run. “I was just looking for anything in the zone. I didn’t really think he had anything super special that could beat me.”
His superb performance earned him SEC Freshman of the Week honors that same week and plenty of praise from UF head coach Kevin O’Sullivan.
“Brendan Lawson has been swinging the bat really good. You’ll see, he’s just an advanced bat,” O’Sullivan said.
Then, on March 8, Lawson made his presence felt in UF’s game against Dayton. In the first inning, he fired an RBI single, which scored one run.
Later on in the third, he drew a walk, which drove in his second runner of the game. Then, he launched a two-run homer deep in the fifth to put the Gators up nine.
Lawson’s consistency has provided a base upon which the Gators have built. His all-around abilities have given O’Sullivan plenty of flexibility in strategizing his lineup offensively and defensively.
Now settled into his first year as a Gator, Lawson is taking full advantage of the opportunity to play collegiate baseball at a high level.
