UF picks up another Raven

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published July 20, 2007

Alonso senior left-hander Alex Panteliodis, the Times' pitcher of the year for Hillsborough County last season, confirmed Thursday he has committed to the University of Florida.

"It was close to home and everything," said Panteliodis, pitching every fifth day with the Midland Redskins, an Ohio-based elite travel team, this summer.

"I think (new Gators coach Kevin O'Sullivan) is awesome, he's a cool coach. ...He knows what it feels like to be a kid and everything. He likes to have fun."

The third Ravens player to commit to UF in the past year (joining infielder Chris Freshcorn and right-hander Tommy Toledo), Panteliodis is the least likely to ever throw a pitch in a Gators uniform.

His size (6-foot-2), velocity (90-91 mph) and command (11-0, 0.54 ERA as a junior) make him a certain high-round pick in next summer's big-league draft should he avoid a serious injury.

Panteliodis is the second county player to commit to UF this week, joining Plant infielder Preston Tucker. A Times' all-county first-team pick last season, Tucker hit .561 with nine home runs and 51 RBIs for the Panthers.

[Last modified July 19, 2007, 23:17:23]