The nice feeling that comes with a 4-game sweep of Pacific subsided for Florida State early Monday evening when the news broke that outfielder Rhett Aplin would miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury.
A left-handed hitter with an above average arm, Aplin has swung a hot bat for the majority of the season, posting a team-high .322 batting average to go along with six home runs and 24 RBIs. Aplin joins utility player Tyler Daughtry as the second Seminole to suffer a season-ending injury, but if there is a silver lining, it’s that Florida State has options in the outfield.
Aplin has been the team’s everyday right fielder for most of the year, but FSU has at least four guys who can step in and fill that role. The most likely at this point also serves as the Seminoles’ ace on the mound.
That would be Tyler Holton. The lefty was a 2-way player for Florida State last season, but has been primarily a pitcher this year — at least until recently.
Holton didn’t get a single at-bat until April 25 against Stetson. In his third at-bat of the year on Friday against Pacific, Holton unleashed a 3-run home run. That flash of power was shown by Holton late last year and with Aplin out, Holton could be as productive at the plate while continuing to give head coach Mike Martin a left-handed bat.
Holton however, likely won’t be in the lineup when he’s on the mound, so that could make way for Nick Derr, Donovan Petrey and Steven Wells, Jr. to step in.
For the time being, Derr looks to be the most likely candidate. Derr has made 30 starts this season for the Seminoles, but has struggled of late, going just 4-for-41 since March 24.
Petrey would provide FSU with a left-handed bat and would probably only be in the lineup if Holton was on the mound and a right-handed starter was on the mound for the opponent. Petrey is hitting just .158 this year, but hit .250 last season which included 20 starts in the outfield.
Wells, though experienced, is probably Florida State’s least likely option. For his career, Wells is just a .181 hitter and against left-handed pitching, Derr would probably be the preferred choice. It’s possible that Wells could be used as a pinch-hitter against lefties late in games if the versatile Derr is out of the game or gets a start at another position.
It’s not going to be easy to fill the void left by Aplin, but the Seminoles have experienced bodies capable of being productive in his absence. Who exactly that is may become a bit more clear on Tuesday night as FSU hosts Jacksonville.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
You must be logged in to post a comment Login