David Jones

BrevardCounty

GAINESVILLE – Rockledge High School graduate John Sternagel was drafted out of high school by the Kansas City Royals in the 39th round. But his senior year in high school was slowed by a hip problem, and he decided to turn down pro offers to play college ball at the University of Florida instead.

A shortstop in high school, Sternagel had to deal with some tough times in the early weeks of his freshman season until getting a shot at third base. He's responded by hitting .346 in SEC games going into today's opener in a three-game series with Georgia. Partially because of Sternegel's rise, Florida (24-13 overall) has jumped to the top of the SEC East race with a 9-6 record.

“Coming here, I was open-minded. I didn't care, I just want to get out there and play. The opportunity came up at third, so it worked out,” he said.

Sitting, though, wasn't easy.

“It was a tough process,” he said. “Senior year (at Rockledge) I hurt my hip real bad, coming back from that, thankfully I got to come and play here. Right from the start, I wasn't able to play and I wasn't happy about that, but I kept working hard and made sure I did everything I could to get myself the best opportunities to get in.”

Sternagel almost didn't make it to college. He wasn't sure where he'd fall but was projected as a pretty high pick in the June draft last year until the hip started bothering him.

“Before the draft I was hitting a lot better than I was after missing pretty much from January on to about now is when I came back for high school,” he said. “But I always knew no matter what happens with the draft I had such a great school here at Florida, education-wise and baseball-wise, the coaches were great. I knew you come here and you get better.”

He's certainly landed with a bang in Gainesville. For a period of time, Sternegel was frustrated trying to figure out where he fit in. But rather than sulk, he worked harder.

“He's done a nice job,” Gators coach Kevin O'Sullivan said.

“He's stayed patient. He didn't get a chance to play a lot early on but kept working hard. On our off days on Mondays he'd come out here on his own. He'd get a good day's work in. He stayed positive, he continued to work hard and he got his opportunity. He's done really well.

“He got his first start against Florida State in Jacksonville (on March 25) and he did well and has continued to do well. It's a testament to him that he stayed positive and kept working hard.”

Sternagel drove in two runs in the 4-1 win against FSU. He came back with three RBI in an 11-7 win against LSU five days later and had a four-hit game while knocking in a pair in an 11-10 win against Kentucky on April 5.

Some talented new players on the college level struggle when things don't go well right away. That's true in any sport.

“It's hard,” O'Sullivan agreed.

“A lot of these young players have never sat on the bench before. You've got to remember all these guys hit third on their high school team and all these guys were the best pitchers. All these things sometimes are a learning experience for them, not necessarily just from a physical standpoint but from a mental standpoint, being able to deal with the failures, deal with it maybe being their first time.

“And for some of them sitting for the first time. I know it wasn't easy for him but most importantly he stayed in there and kept positive and kept working hard.”

Rather than think about himself, he's found a home at Florida as a player who fit in as a team guy.

“I think we're a gritty team that puts in the work every day at practice and it shows in the games because I feel like we do all the small things right,” Sternagel said. “I've seen schools having trouble with bunting a guy over or whatever, I feel like we do and take pride in doing the small things right.

“We know our defense and our pitchers are outstanding obviously. So I think we're a gritty team that battles and works hard.”

Florida was a regular in the College World Series when Cocoa Beach graduate Brian Johnson was with the Gators. After some struggles, the Gators could be looking at another shot at Omaha and Sternagel wants to be a key part of that return.

Sternagel — rated one of the top 10 shortstop pro prospects out of high school by several services — appears to have found a home at third base in Gainesville. But about half of the close to three dozen scouts he's had conversations with have other ideas. It's been mentioned over and over that he could project as a big league catcher.

“I feel like I've got pretty good hands and a good arm,” Sternagel said. “I feel like I play with a lot of energy. That would take bit to get used to.

“But a couple of kids I played with got drafted and they switched to catcher right away. I heard that a little bit before the draft just because, a big broad shoulder guy, you kind of get targeted. The arm plays into it too.”

Another Brevard player on the way to pro baseball after a stop in Gainesville?

It's hard to project, with prep stars who go on to college baseball obligated to play three years before they can be drafted again. But Sternagel said he's aware of the history the Gators have with his home area.

He wants to be next.