Miami baseball earned its NCAA tournament opportunity without a guarantee that one of its most dangerous hitters will be available to help seize it. Third baseman Daniel Cuvet is unlikely to play in the Gainesville Regional while recovering from a stress fracture in his back, J.D. Arteaga said after the bracket was announced. That update changes the discussion around the Hurricanes’ offense before Friday’s opener against Troy.
Cuvet played in 41 games this season and hit .305 with 12 home runs, 45 RBI and 14 doubles before the injury. He gives a lineup immediate power and forces opposing pitching plans to bend around his presence. Miami can survive without him, as it proved during its ACC tournament run, but it cannot pretend his absence is a small adjustment.
Arteaga said Cuvet is still swinging and progressing slowly, leaving open the possibility that he could return if Miami’s season extends far enough. That makes the regional both a challenge and an incentive. The Hurricanes need to advance without relying on a return that may not arrive. Every extra game they earn also creates more time for their best power bat to become an option later in the tournament.
For now, the larger responsibility lands on a lineup that has already begun adapting. Freshman Gabriel Milano has played in Cuvet’s place, and Miami Hurricanes On SI identified Alonzo Alvarez and Dylan Dubovik and him as young hitters who received more opportunity with Cuvet unavailable. There is no gentle adjustment schedule when one of the best bats on the roster is on the sideline and each loss can end the year.
That does not mean Miami should ask its freshmen to impersonate Cuvet. It means the Hurricanes have to produce offense differently. More quality at-bats, more pressure with men on base, and more willingness to accept a productive inning instead of waiting on one superstar swing. Miami scored enough to reach the ACC semifinals without Cuvet, and that is a big reason for confidence.
Miami’s regional hopes get higher if Cuvet returns, while its regional responsibility remains exactly the same if he does not. The Hurricanes have an NCAA tournament team on the field right now and can win with it.
Comments