Newberry’s Tavis Honeycutt Showcases Power on MLB All-Star Stage
Newberry baseball coach Mike Spina first saw flashes of power from Tavis Honeycutt, his nephew and Newberry infielder, at 10 years old during a tournament in Cooperstown, New York, where he launched 10 home runs, competing against the top 12-year-olds in the nation.
Honeycutt’s parents knew he had a knack for going yard even earlier at 2 years old.
“We had those little red tees with the white wiffle balls and the red bat,” Honeycutt said. “I was hitting and broke through a window, and from that moment on, they were like, ‘Yeah, this is the sport he needs to play.’”
A seat in the second deck of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia became his next target when he traded in the red plastic bat for a metal one at MLB’s 2026 High School Home Run Derby Friday, denting the chair with a long ball.
The 2027 Gators baseball commit got the invite to the MLB All-Star Weekend festivities after leading Florida high school players with 16 home runs, ranked 10th in the nation.
“I just woke up and got the e-mail and I was like this isn’t real,” Honeycutt said. “And then I texted one of my other fellow Florida guys [Kinon Bastian]. He was like, ‘Yeah, I got it too. Let’s go do our thing.’”
Honeycutt competed against seven other high school sluggers, including Bastian, a 2027 Gators commit, but didn’t make the top-two final round cut after recording 17 home runs across two rounds to finish fourth.
Earlier in July, he took his first swing at hitting in an MLB stadium during the Perfect Game National Showcase at LoanDepot Park from July 1 to 5, but hitting in a stadium he grew up watching professionals play in felt surreal.
“When we came out from the locker room, underneath it [was] like that starting scene of a movie when you don’t know what’s really going to happen,” Honeycutt said. “From the stands, it doesn’t really seem like it’s that big and amazing but when you get there on the field, you don’t know what to do [or] say.
“But at that time, you just got to believe in yourself and believe [in] what you can do.”
Honeycutt grew up surrounded by talent. His dad, Shedrick Honeycutt, played 57 games with the Montreal Expos rookie-level affiliate, the Gulf Coast Expos, from 2001 to 2002. The Oakland A’s selected Spina 333th overall during the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, spending 2009 to 2012 in the minors. His mom, Michele Honeycutt, played softball at Florida State, and his other uncle, TJ Spina, played Division I baseball at UNC Greensboro.
Even homers run in his blood with Spina owning the Cincinnati single-season home run record (21).
In 2026, Honeycutt quickly established himself as the Panthers’ slugger tallying 20 hits, 16 runs, 18 RBIs and 6 home runs across 31 at-bats in the opening 10 games. His production didn’t dwindle, ending the 25-game season with team and career highs in hits (39), runs (49), RBIs (49) and batting average (.609).
“The kid has extreme talent,” Mike said. “He has some of the most power that I’ve ever seen a high school kid have. I was privileged enough to play at a high level in professional baseball to see firsthand the power that those guys consistently have, and he’s definitely one of those guys.”
During the MLB All-Star break, Honeycutt talked with MLB players who offered advice as he heads into senior year, including former Gators two-way star Jac Cagonlione, who participated in Monday’s home run derby.
“[We talked] how their journey was and how awesome it is that I get to be in their shoes in the next couple of years,” Honeycutt said. “[They said], ‘Just stay in your lane. Don’t look at what everybody else is doing. Just focus on what you’re doing and how you’re performing.’”
While Honeycutt didn’t take home the derby title, the event strengthened the slugger’s mindset by exposing him to pressure. On the field, Mike noticed Honeycutt step up as a leader. He entered the program as a quiet freshman but gained confidence each year.
“Every single year he’s becoming more of a vocal leader, and I think that’s big for him,” Mike said. “He encourages them to get better, to work hard, to get in the weight room, to be out there, to be present, to be on time and do things the right way.”
Growing up just 16 miles west of the UF campus, Honeycutt always ranked Florida at the top of his potential landing spots. Coach Kevin O’Sullivan made initial contact with Honeycutt last summer, advising him to cut some weight.
After a few months of sticking to a diet, waking up at 4:30 a.m. to workout and meeting with a personal trainer, O’Sullivan called him back with an offer. The two nailed down his commitment in October during Honeycutt’s official visit.
Following his derby performance, O’Sullivan texted Honeycutt that he was proud of him.
“Even [though] I didn’t win it [and] I didn’t go up there and do [an] all-star [performance],” Honeycutt said. “I still did my thing and hearing from your college coach who’s been scouting you as long as he has means a lot.”
Honeycutt knows the expectations are higher for his senior season, but won’t let the pressure get to him.
“You just want to stay focused on what you’re doing,” Honeycutt said. “Don’t pressure yourself too much. I like to just think, just be quiet and listen. Don’t be too loud and just stay in your lane and play your game.”
Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Baseball, High School Sports, Newberry High School
