All-American Daniel Cuvet pivots to the pros and Gabriel Milano’s electric bat could secure him the third base role, though defensive lapses and incoming transfers create competition.
MIAMI, Fla. – On Wednesday morning, Daniel Cuvet officially signed with the Washington Nationals. He was a fifth-round selection (No. 138) in the MLB Draft and the first Miami Hurricanes product taken off the board. Despite a cut-short junior season, Cuvet made it clear he would chase professional baseball dreams rather than return for a senior campaign.
The Fort Lauderdale native is engraved in program history – 54 total home runs, tied for the third-most. It leaves a void on coach J.D. Arteaga’s infield staff, but not a mystery on who’s next.
Gabriel Milano stepped on the Coral Gables campus as a freshman with virtually no chance of playing time. Cuvet, an All-American, was a guaranteed everyday starter. It was the case until a back stress fracture injury occurred in late April. Cuvet wasn’t initially ruled out for the rest of the season, but it was known that an extensive absence was a great possibility.
The junior went down and the freshman was called up.
In 19 starts, Milano batted .310 with a .760 OPS, including 22 hits in 71 at-bats, two doubles, 14 runs batted in, and two home runs. He showed a ton of promise, especially in the batter’s box. Milano climbed the Hurricanes’ lineup – joining freshmen Alonzo Alvarez and Dylan Dubovik as the program’s core future.
However, the Miami native’s glove needs to improve ahead of a sophomore campaign.
The whole Hurricanes’ infield defense was below average – the worst among Atlantic Coast Conference programs. It was part of the reason for the season-ending shortcomings. Milano had a .839 fielding percentage, including five putouts and 21 assists in 31 total chances. He committed five errors, two of which came against Florida in the winner’s column of the Gainesville Regional.
Coach Arteaga inserted sophomore Brandon DeGoti in late-game situations, including the Gators' postseason matchup, to help what was already a depleted infield defense.
Milano will have a new first and second baseman ahead of the 2027 season. Returning senior Vance Sheahan will likely stay at shortstop, unless incoming freshman Rookie Shepard has something to say about it.
Base running wasn’t a big issue for Milano until the start of the Florida State series. He was picked off twice while in scoring position. Other than that situation, Milano appears faster than Cuvet.
The 19-year-old will likely start the 2027 season claiming third base, but LSU transfer Trent Caraway could make things interesting.
Milano is currently on a summer baseball assignment with the Ocean State Waves in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He will have the opportunity to retain an expanded role, but the defensive side of the diamond is a significant factor.
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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
