While USF baseball brought back 19 players from its previous season, the team’s roster also boasts eight new transfers in various positions. 

Between three infielders, three pitchers and one outfielder, these athletes will add impressive talent to the 2023 roster. 

Here is who to keep an eye on come Feb. 17:

#0 John Montes (Infielder)

Joining the South Florida roster after a short drive from Central Florida is junior infielder John Montes.

In Montes’ time as a Knight, he played 54 games as a freshman, 44 of which he started. He racked up a batting average of .275 with 29 RBI, 10 doubles and 46 hits. 

However, in his sophomore year, his playing time was cut to 21 games with just four starts. With 22 at-bats, he produced a .182 batting average but boasted a perfect fielding percentage.

#13 Stanton Leuthner (Infielder)

Transferring from Stony Brook to Tampa Bay is redshirt junior infielder Stanton Leuthner. 

During Leuthner’s first season as a Seawolf in 2020, he started all 13 games before COVID-19 cut spring sports short. In his comeback season in 2021, he played 36 games with 34 starts while accumulating a .274 batting average and 21 RBI. 

Leuthner’s numbers continued to rise this past season. Starting in 50 contests, the infielder put up 32 RBI, seven home runs, 34 runs and a .254 batting average. 

#14 Travis Sankovich (Infielder)

Redshirt senior infielder Travis Sankovich comes to USF having played 173 games between his time at Seminole State and Marshall.

Sankovich was a familiar name in the lineup at Marshall, playing every single game in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The infielder recorded a .252 average and 22 RBI in 2021. He boasted a .301 batting average, the third highest on the team.

He brings a competitive edge not only to the batter’s box, but on the field as well. Sankovich had a .953 fielding percentage in his career at Marshall, where he primarily played at third base. 

#19 Pablo Ruiz (Outfielder)

Also leaving the Knights to join the Bulls is redshirt junior outfielder Pablo Ruiz, USF’s only outfield recruit from the transfer portal. 

Throughout Ruiz’s three-year career at UCF, he played in 115 games with a career batting average of .256, 50 RBI and 61 runs. 

As an outfielder, Ruiz has only committed five errors in three seasons, bringing his fielding percentage to .968. With that track record, he has proven he is reliable when it comes to his defensive skills. 

#27 Jackson Cothren (Right-handed pitcher)

Entering the USF bullpen from Calhoun Community College is junior right-handed pitcher Jackson Cothren.

The former Warhawk made 16 appearances with a 5.01 ERA in 59.1 innings pitched. Within those outings, Cothren put up 73 strikeouts and a complete seven-inning outing with 12 strikeouts. 

#37 Riley Skeen (Right-handed pitcher)

Joining the rotation is junior right-handed pitcher Riley Skeen from Florida Southwestern. 

The JUCO product put up successful numbers while on the mound in his two years as a Buccaneer. In 2021, he made 25 appearances with a 2.70 ERA and struck out 53 batters over 36.2 innings pitched.

Following his first season, 2022 was no different for the reliever. He recorded a 1.96 ERA over 23 innings pitched and 35 strikeouts. 

#39 Mason Manriquez (Right-handed pitcher)

Marking new beginnings with South Florida baseball is right-handed redshirt sophomore pitcher Mason Manriquez.

After a two-inning year with Duke in 2021 followed by a redshirt year at Pensacola State, Manriquez will get a fresh start as a Bull.

Before college, Manriquez was ranked 19 in the state for best right-handed pitchers in Florida by Perfect Game. 

#48 Parker Seay (Left-handed pitcher) 

Arriving at USF as the only southpaw from the transfer list is redshirt junior left-handed pitcher Parker Seay.

Seay spent three years at the College of Central Florida primarily as a reliever. In 2022, he made one start and 23 appearances, putting up a 5.63 ERA. He also tallied 46 strikeouts over 32 innings pitched.

Previously, he sported a 2.76 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 16.1 innings pitched in his 2021 season.