Ethan Surowiec will return to the Florida Gators for the next season, the infielder announced on social media Sunday shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 MLB Draft. The decision keeps Florida’s cleanup hitter in Gainesville and preserves a key offensive piece for the program.
What this means for the Gators
Surowiec started all 62 games for Florida this past season, splitting time between first base and third base. His presence in the middle of the lineup — and his ability to play multiple corner infield spots — gives coach Billy Napier’s baseball staff a proven run producer returning to the roster.
Under the recently adopted five-for-five rule, Surowiec now has three years of collegiate eligibility remaining, extending his time to contribute at the NCAA level and to develop further before pursuing professional opportunities again.
Season performance and background
In his lone season with Florida after transferring from Ole Miss, Surowiec put up strong numbers and emerged as the team’s primary offensive engine.
| Stat | 2026 Season |
|---|---|
| Games started | 62 |
| Batting average | .317 |
| Home runs | 12 |
| Doubles | 14 |
| RBIs | 63 |
Surowiec re-signed with Florida Victorious last month, took part in the MLB Draft combine and entered draft season as a top-250 prospect. Despite that ranking, his name was not called during the two-day draft, and he opted to return to the college ranks.
Past achievements and notable games
- Last summer, Surowiec was named the Northwoods League MVP, posting 24 doubles and 52 RBIs in that summer circuit.
- His standout performance for the Gators this season came in the SEC tournament, when he went 4-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs in the win over Alabama.
- Surowiec is a native of Gulfport, Mississippi, and transferred to Florida from Ole Miss for the 2026 season.
For Gainesville and Gators baseball followers, Surowiec’s return preserves a middle-of-order hitter who delivered across a full season and who can slide across the corner infield positions as needed. His decision also keeps an experienced bat in the lineup while he retains time to improve his draft standing under the new eligibility landscape.
Coverage of the Gators’ roster and the coming season will continue as coaches and staff prepare for fall workouts and the next recruiting cycle.
