After swapping Coral Gables for Gainesville, star slugger Blake Cyr claims SEC bullpens outclass the ACC’s velocity, setting the stage for a high-stakes postseason rematch in Florida.
Miami, FL. – In the older days of college sports, the Southeastern Conference was known to dominate, especially in football. However, every university now has more than enough NIL money to lure in highly talented players. The Miami Hurricanes have caught up to the best teams in the nation across all major sports, including baseball, but former second baseman Blake Cyr might think otherwise.
The local Windermere native played two seasons with the Coral Gables program before entering the transfer portal and joining an in-state rival in the Florida Gators. Currently, as a senior, Cyr is on pace to finish with career-highs across the board: 67 hits in 98 at-bats, 15 doubles, a triple, 56 runs batted in, 123 total bases, 13 home runs, 50 runs scored, a .338 batting average, and a 1.038 OPS, starting in all 52 games played.
The Gators fell short of claiming the SEC Tournament title against the Georgia Bulldogs. However, they will host a Regional in the NCAA Tournament. Following the loss, Cyr was asked about playing in the ACC and SEC, highlighting the pitching qualities from each conference.
“You look at the guys that we roll out there [on the mound],” he said. “In the ACC, you’ll get a good starter, but you’re not bringing a guy [out of the bullpen] who’s [throwing] 97 to 100 [miles], and then another guy who’s 95 to 97. That’s the main difference.”
Despite praising the arms in the SEC, Cyr didn’t have much success against ACC pitchers. In 85 total games with the Hurricanes, the 22-year-old logged 88 hits in 295 at-bats, 15 doubles, 84 runs batted in, 175 total bases, 14 home runs, a .298 batting average, and a .987 OPS. However, Cyr struck out 97 total times.
Before moving to Gainesville, the former Hurricanes infielder suffered a major injury, resulting in a cut-short sophomore campaign. Cyr found an opportunity to reinvent himself with the Gators, emerging as a high-quality hitter.
However, there might not be much of a gap in arm talent between the ACC and SEC. According to NCAA College Baseball Division I stats, six SEC and five ACC programs are among the top 50 in ERA.
Cyr returned to Mark Light Field this past regular season, but as an opponent, when the Gators swept the Hurricanes 2-0, leaving Coral Gables under rainy conditions. He logged just one hit in eight at-bats. According to D1Baseball’s final Field of 64 projections, a rematch could be aligned as the Hurricanes wound up in Gainesville’s Regional.
The official bracket will be revealed on Monday afternoon.
- Can Miami Hurricanes baseball coach J.D. Arteaga end the program’s championship drought?
- The Miami Hurricanes basketball program is reportedly scheduled to open the upcoming season against an in-state rival.
- Several Miami Hurricanes baseball players earned All-ACC honors, including a few first-timers.
- Coach Mario Cristobal believes the Miami Hurricanes should face an in-state rival every year.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
