With All-American Daniel Cuvet departing for the MLB Draft, J.D. Arteaga eyes LSU transfer Trent Caraway to stabilize a shifting infield and spark a title resurgence.
MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of next week’s MLB Draft, the Miami Hurricanes will have several decisions to make, specifically with the infield. Coach J.D. Arteaga is set to lose All-American third baseman Daniel Cuvet, second baseman Jake Ogden, first baseman Brylan West, and possibly catcher Alex Sosa (could return).
The transfer portal window is set to close on Tuesday, June 30. Although the Hurricanes prioritized revitalizing the pitching staff, a few infielders are set to join the roster: Trey King and Dawson Harman, plus Trent Caraway being the latest addition.
After spending last season at LSU, the 22-year-old finds a new home at Coral Gables. Caraway batted .243 with a .713 OPS, including 18 hits in 74 at-bats, three doubles, a triple, 16 runs batted in, two home runs, and 29 total bases in 30 games, including 24 starts with the Tigers.
However, the California native’s journey began in the Big 12.
Coming from JSerra Catholic High School, Caraway first attended Oregon State University. As a freshman, he immediately stood out with a .339 batting average (third-best on the team) with a .947 OPS, including 21 hits in 62 at-bats, five doubles, two home runs, 10 runs batted in, and 32 total bases in 18 games, including 17 starts with the Beavers.
The following year, Caraway had a breakout season in an expanded role. As the full-time starting third baseman, he batted .267 with a .857 OPS, including 67 hits in 251 at-bats, 15 doubles, 12 home runs, 47 runs batted in, 118 total bases in 64 games, including 63 starts. Along with a successful individual season, Caraway and the Beavers traveled to Omaha for the College World Series.
However, the team failed to reach the Finals.
After undergoing a statistically setback season in the Southeastern Conference, Caraway joins the Hurricanes – looking to return to title contention. However, the incoming senior has only played third base. As Cuvet departs, the impression was that Gabriel Milano would take over to fill the void.
The Miami native made an immediate impact towards the end of this past season. Cuvet’s last game played as a member of the Hurricanes was on April 22 against the Florida Atlantic Owls. He would be sidelined extensively with a back stress fracture. Despite losing the All-American, it presented an opportunity for Milano to show out on the field.
In 19 starts, he batted .225 with a .598 OPS, including 16 hits in 71 at-bats, two doubles, 14 runs batted in, two home runs, and 30 total bases.
Alongside the rest of the infield, Milano struggled defensively. As a starter, he finished the season with a .839 fielding percentage, including five putouts in 31 total chances, 21 assists, and five errors.
The 19-year-old is currently with the Ocean State Waves in the New England Collegiate Baseball League on a summer ball assignment. He’s batting .327 with a .910 OPS, including 16 hits in 49 at-bats, six doubles, five runs batted in, and a home run in 15 games – a .814 fielding percentage.
Coach Arteaga will have to make interesting decisions ahead of the 2027 season.
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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
