Dyson’s meteoric rise a boost for Gators
GAINESVILLE — During his many years coming up in baseball, Tyler Dyson did not picture himself a pitcher.
Dyson started T-ball at age 2 in Massachusetts with his older brother, Ryan, and would spend the next 15 years — his later ones in Bradenton — evolving into a skilled infielder with a dependable bat.
Recruited as a third baseman by the Florida Gators, Dyson began to show some potential as a pitcher during summer ball prior to his senior season at Braden High.
“I pitched a little bit my junior year,” he recalled. “But I was just a guy.”
These days, the UF sophomore right-hander could be the most promising member of the most impressive staff in the nation.
The defending national champion Gators boast two first-round talents — Brady Singer and Jackson Kowar — ahead of Dyson in the team’s three-man weekend rotation. Singer is projected by some as the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft. Closer Michael Byrne of Orlando led the nation last season with 19 saves, a school record.
None of the three has the power or upside of the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Dyson, who turned 20 on Christmas Eve.
“We call him Roger — Roger Clemens,” Byrne said, referencing the seven-time Cy Young Award winner. “He’s got the body type and he throws a hard fastball. He’s going to be good, for sure.”
This time last year, no one knew what to make of Dyson, including Dyson himself.
Eventually, he burst onto the scene when it mattered most.
Dyson first came off the bench to dominate a powerful lineup from Wake Forest, striking out seven during five innings of Game 3. Dyson then allowed just one earned run during title-clinching win against LSU in Game 2 of the College World Series.
Dyson since has developed as quickly as any player UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan can recall coaching.
“He pitched in the biggest stage you can possibly pitch at at this level and succeeded,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s been a different guy.”
Byrne said Dyson is now as confident and in command as he was during Game 2 of the CWS.
“It’s kind of absurd how good he’s gotten,” Byrne said.
Blessed with a fastball that can reach 96-97 mph, Dyson also possesses a nasty slider and an effective change-up he honed during the offseason.
“I didn't throw it at all last year,” Dyson said. “But going into the summer, I worked on that a lot. I'm feeling good with it.
“You've got to three pitches to be a starter, whether it's this league or moving forward.”
Dyson unquestionably has a future in professional baseball, said O’Sullivan, who has seen three UF pitchers drafted in the first round the past two years.
“He’s got the stuff, he’s got the frame, the size, the durability. He’s athletic,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s got a bit of a mean streak to him, but he’s a great teammate. He’s got all the qualities that you look for.”
Dyson first has two seasons remaining in Gainesville.
O’Sullivan’s pitching staffs routinely are an embarrassment of riches, but this year he has struck gold.
“I can’t downplay it,” he said. “You’re talking about three first-rounders.”
Depth on the mound last season was critical to an SEC title.
During conference play last season, UF was 8-2 on the third and final day of each series en route to a 21-9 SEC record.
With Dyson stepping up his game and into the No. 3 role, the Gators can only imagine how tough their rotation will be.
“It’s unfair at times,” first baseman Keenan Bell said of Dyson’s development. “It’s night and day at this point. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen, really.”