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Versatility and offensive punch have made the Dunedin graduate one of Florida's most dependable players.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 31, 2002
GAINESVILLE -- Before Florida's baseball season, Aaron Sobieraj had his heart set on pitching for the first time in two years.
He thought it would be the best thing for him.
But new coach Pat McMahon had a different agenda: to figure out what was best for the team.
In looking out for the greater good of the Gators, McMahon found the greater good for Sobieraj.
The junior from Clearwater, a 1999 graduate of Dunedin High, has not only made a smooth transition to leftfield, he is among UF's top hitters.
"Coming in this year, all I wanted to do is pitch because I thought it might be my ticket to get out of here in the draft," said Sobieraj (SO-ber-eye). "So I just worked on pitching and I did fine in that, but they wanted me hitting. I started hitting (well) and then they didn't need me pitching because we had a lot of pitching. So I said infield, outfield, hitting, whatever they want me to do and that's what I'd do."
Versatility has been the mark of his Gator career.
Sobieraj has played every position but catcher and second base. As a freshman, he hit .361 in 46 starts at third base, receiving honorable mention freshman All-America honors.
But in December 2000 he had surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow. Sobieraj didn't hit a ball for nearly three months and didn't pitch in the 2000 or 2001 seasons.
"Coming back I struggled last year because of my surgery," he said.
Sobieraj, who turns 21 Monday, has pitched just one inning this season.
"I would say it was a big adjustment, just because I had my mind set on pitching this year," Sobieraj said. "Coming in, I didn't think about (the outfield), I didn't pay attention, I didn't want to do it, put it that way. I think the biggest adjustment was going to the outfield the first couple of games. But I've really adjusted and I'm having a better time doing it because I'm succeeding and you always have a better time doing something when things are going good."
Sobieraj, hitting .352, has spent most of the season in the middle of the lineup. He has struck out just 13 times in 219 at-bats -- one per 16.85 at-bats -- a school record. He also holds the school record in sacrifice bunts in a season (11) and career (24).
"He has had an incredible year," junior pitcher Jamie Goldfarb said. "He started out on fire and he kept it up all year. He's been a big part of our success. Without him, I don't know where we'd be, it's hard to say. He's been in the middle of our lineup all year and is constantly producing. He's been a big part of our success."
A second-team All-SEC selection, Sobieraj's success is a product of hard work and his willingness to sacrifice for the team.
"He's had an outstanding year," McMahon said. "He's worked so hard on his defensive skills and he's worked so hard on all areas of the game. On this club, we had a lot of decisions to make on positions and so as a result of that, he has done a great job as a defender for us in the outfield. And he's done such a great job offensively. He has respect by his hard work."
Sobieraj says he is enjoying the success, both for himself and the team. The change in leadership and the change in positions has made Sobieraj and the Gators much better overall.
"For all of us as a group, we're all good together," Sobieraj said. "I think that everybody has come together as one. We're playing as a unit. We don't have a lot of individuals on this team; I don't think we have any. This coaching staff has brought us together big time."