The star of the show from a prospect point of view Sunday was Carrollwood right handed pitcher Franco Aleman (2018, Tampa, Fla.). The 16-year old Cuba native, who pitches at Alonso High School, the same school the late Jose Fernandez attended, is a very long 6-foot-7, 210-pounds and has spent most of his athletic career as a basketball player. The last time PG saw Aleman throw was at the 2016 WWBA 16U National Championships last July, where he topped out at 86 mph. In this outing, Aleman threw four innings, working mostly in the 90-94 mph range with his fastball with a long and very loose arm action. Perhaps because of his relative lack of repetitions, Aleman's arm slot on release was all over the place but when got on top of his fastball and powered it down in the zone, it was a heavy pitch at his highest velocity marks and a pitch that would overmatch a hitter most of the time at any level. Aleman's breaking ball was a upper 70's slurve that he tended to slow his arm down some on but which had plenty of spin and depth and he commanded the pitch well. Aleman also threw a very credible changeup for a young and inexperienced pitcher, giving him a solid three-pitch mix already. This scout was fortunate enough to see a similarly aged and also previously unrecognized extra tall pitcher, Dellin Betances, throw in Fort Myers in 2004 and the similarities are compelling, noting that Aleman threw three mph harder at the same stage with a better breaking ball.
Right hander Luis Nunez (2020, Dominican Republic) was very impressive for the Miami Miracles International team, working in the 83-87 mph range with his fastball with a loose and fast arm. His best pitch was a low 80's slider that had outstanding power to it with very tight spin and break. Nunez is currently 15 years old and will turn 16 on September 19 according to Perfect Game's records and is certainly a young pitcher that international scouts will have to account for.
Shortstop Samuel Infante (2020, Hialeah, Fla.) of the MVP Banditos is a player that will be very enjoyable to watch develop over the balance of his high school career. He was the starting third baseman at Pace High School as a freshman next to potential first round pick Jeter Downs this spring and will be a standout in future years. He's already 6-foot-1, 170-pounds with broad shoulders and plenty of present strength, strength that really shows itself in his strong right handed swing and plus bat speed.
Tim Manning (2020, Pompano Beach, Fla.) is a young left handed pitcher who is already throwing in the mid-80's and has a verbal commitment to Florida. This scout didn't see him throw but did see him swing the bat a number of times over the past two days and Manning hit a rocket every time up, showing a quick and short swing and lots of pull power. An athletic 6-foot-1, 170-pound athlete, Manning certainly looks like a two-way prospect based on this viewing.
Right handed pitcher Jacob Schwartz (2019, Winter Park, Fla.) showed a loose and whippy arm for BPA 18U Gold on Sunday, working in the 83-85 mph range with his fastball and showing big sinking action from a high 3/4's release point. Schwartz' big and consistent movement rewarded him with many ground balls and jam shots from opposing hitters. His curveball has some spin and depth but he tends to lower his slot on release and get under the pitch on occasion.
Wendall Figueroa (2017, Tampa, Fla.) recently turned 19 years old and is a mature athlete physically with a strong barrel chest and coat hanger shoulders. He has a slow paced delivery that emphasizes balance over the rubber then drive to the plate. His fastball was very consistently 88-91 mph with occasional hard sinking action, although he threw almost all fastballs and will have to continue to develop his secondary pitches.
-- David Rawnsley
Action in 18U pool play continued Sunday morning at 5-Plex in Ft. Myers. Elite Squad 17U Select matched up against SBO-Florida in a game that was not decided until late in the contest. The game was tied 0-0 heading into the fifth inning as SBO was kept in the contest by RHP Justin McDaniels’ masterful performance on the bump. McDaniels mixed three quality pitches, a running fastball in the 80-82 mph range, a sharp, high spin rate curveball (73-74 mph) that had depth, and a deceptive 70-mph change-up that he threw out of the same arm slot as his fastball. McDaniels managed to stifle a couple of early inning Elite Squad rallies and kept a very good opponent off the board until the fifth inning.
The Elite Squad 17U Select team finally got their bats moving in the fifth . Leon Paulino (2019, Hollywood, Fla) was the spark that Elite Squad Select was looking to jump-start their offensive machine. Paulino, a powerfully built, 6-foot-3, 200-pound left-handed hitter, lined a McDaniels fastball into the left-center field gap and his knock appeared to wake the Elite Squad bats up. C.J. Calero (2018, Miami, Fla.), a muscular 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter, followed Paulino to the dish and drove the very next offering into the same left-center field gap for a double that plated Paulino with the game’s first run. Before the dust had settled too much, Jared Defaria (2018, Weston, FL), an imposing 6-foot-3, 205-pound right-handed swinger, singled to left on a 2-0 pitch that drove home Calero with the second run of the inning.
Before SBO-Florida could retire Elite Squad Select in the 5th, ESS had managed to chase McDaniels and send 12 batters to the plate, tallying eight runs in taking a commanding 8-0 lead into the bottom of the 5th inning. Although SBO-Florida would put three runs on the board on the bottom of the 7th, Elite Squad’s big 5th inning was just too much to overcome.
The mid-morning game on Field 2 matched two undefeated clubs.. The Sharks Elite 2018 and Elite Squad South are two very solid teams, both of which have rosters comprised primarily of players from Florida’s east coast. Although the clubs looked even “on paper”, the day belonged to the Sharks Elite as they bested Elite Squad South by a final of 9-0.
The Sharks were led by 6-foot-1, 180-pound, RHP, Nick Durgin (2019, Melbourne, Fla). The rising junior from Melbourne Central Catholic HS threw a masterful six-innings, limiting Elite Squad South to only two hits. Durgin used surgeon-like precision to carve up Elite Squad. His fastball velocity, which he carried into the sixth inning, sat between 85 and 87 mph. His ability to work both sides of the plate and stay off the heart of the dish was outstanding. His fastball had excellent run and late-life. He never hit a barrel all day and sent many Elite Squad hitters back to the dugout holding cracked or busted bats. He combined his well-commanded fastball with two other outstanding pitches. His curveball showed excellent spin and depth and ranged between 68 and 72 mph. His change (77-78 mph) was very deceptive and was especially effective because he threw it on the same plane as his fastball.
Durgin’s battery-mate, Cale Jones (2017, Orlando, Fla.), called a masterful game behind the plate. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound catcher showed advanced receiving skills and a mature understanding of how to sequence pitches and set up hitters. Jones also helped pace the Sharks offense. His 2-for-4 day saw Jones produce his club’s biggest knock of the morning when he slammed a screaming double to left-center field with the bases loaded. Jones’ big hit plated three Sharks and broke open a game that had been relatively close.
Also showing up on the Sharks offensive production chart were shortstop Jack Szachacz (2018, Melbourne, Fla.) and DH Pryce Jennings (2018, Rockledge, Fla.). Szachacz, who is also a very slick and polished infielder, was impressive with the bat in his hand. Although his 2-for-4 day was, on the surface, a very good day, he was an inch or two away from a 4-for-4 outing. His two outs were “at’em” balls that he hit on the screws. Szachacz has a short and very quick swing path, coupled with a great understanding of the strike zone.
Jennings is a masher. The 5-foot-11, 250-pound Jennings is a two-sport (football and baseball) athlete at Rockledge HS and his powerful, compact swing was evident throughout each at-bat. He flashed his athletic ability early in the ball game when he scored from second base on a base-hit to left field, easily beating the throw to the plate. He capped the Sharks scoring for the day when he crushed a 1-0 pitch deep over the left-field fence for a three-run home run.
-- Jerry Miller
In The Beginning Baseball Academy played exceptionally well in Sunday’s game against FTB Orlando. One of their most impressive players was left handed pitcher Jonathan Caballero (2020, Bugaba, Panama). From watching him pitch you would think he was throwing harder than 83 mph; he consistently blew hitters away while hitting his spots on either side of the plate. Caballero did an excellent job mixing in his 70-72 mph curveball. The two pitches were utilized well in tandem generating numerous swings and misses, racking up 6 strikeouts in the process. Even when balls were put in play none were hit hard except for the one hit Caballero allowed. Throwing from a three-quarters arm slot, Caballero’s delivery was smooth and showed little effort. However, his back leg remained strong and carried him well down the mound. Caballero worked with confidence and ease throughout his eye opening outing.
Caballero was followed by teammate Ricardo Garcia (2020, Doral, Fla.). The right handed throwing pitcher immediately caught people’s attention with an 87 mph fastball. Growing into his lanky frame should add even more velocity. His curveball had a sharp break and tight spin, but he rarely trusted the pitch enough to throw it. Garcia wasn't consistent in the strike zone but his velocity was enough to blow hitters away.
Both pitchers were backed by strong defensive performances by Fernando Gonzalez (2021, Panama City, Pan) and Derek Arroyo (2020, Panama City, Pan). Gonzalez got the start in right field and was immediately tested. With a man on third looking to tag, Gonzalez fired a bullet to home stopping the runner in his tracks. An inning later Gonzalez made a diving catch on a sinking line drive. He routinely got excellent jumps in right field and had the speed to cover plenty of outfield grass. Arroyo showed good range and smooth hands as a shortstop. He showed speed on the base paths too by stealing second base easily.
FTB Orlando’s own pitcher was highly effective. Without the impressive velocity of the two pitchers mentioned above, Christopher McDonald (2019, Winter Springs, Fla.) was crafty and managed to navigate a good lineup without much damage. His fastball sat in the high-70s and the good sinking action made the pitch hard to square up. McDonald hid the ball well behind his right hip before accelerating down the hill quickly. His head was tilted at the point of release which sometimes caused him to yank the ball too far. McDonald’s curve showed a variety of shapes but the pitch did a good job keeping hitters off balance. McDonald will be an interesting follow as he matures into his body.
The Elite Squad 16U Select’s 9-0 win was punctuated by standout defense. Ernest Denis (2019, Miami, Fla.) made a fantastic diving stop while playing third base. He showed good foot speed by ranging to his left to snare a sharply hit groundball. Denis even had the arm to record the out at first. He also demonstrated his ability to hit by turning on an inside fastball for a double down the left field line. Denis has quick hands in the field and at bat.
Denis’ teammate Gerardo Rodriguez (2019, Miami, Fla.) also impressed with his defensive abilities. It’s sometimes hard to get noticed as a catcher, but Rodriguez was a sturdy presence behind the dish. He had a strong, athletic stance when receiving pitches and showed good quickness and range when blocking pitches in the dirt. He even threw a runner out at second trying to steal a base. Rodriguez did everything right behind the plate.
Jiovel Lantigua (2019, Spring Hill, Fla.) is a big youg man. He’s already 6-feet, 215-pounds and should have the power that comes with that. He sits in a crouched stance while hitting with his hands positioned low. Lantigua’s swing is quick with a slight upper cut. When he makes contact, the ball will fly. On Sunday, however, Lantigua was used mainly as a pitcher. He recorded four strikeouts in just 2 1/3 innings utilizing a high-70s fastball and mid-60s curveball. Despite being so big, Lantigua had no problem getting down the mound. In fact, he had an effortless delivery. In one of his most impressive moments, Lantingua struck out the side in the second inning.
One of the most impressive pitchers on the day was Top Tier Roos 16U National’s right hander Hunter Mink (2019, Palm Harbor, Fla.). In the first inning Mink was lighting up the radar gun. He sat comfortably in the high-80s and managed to touch 90 mph once. His curveball was sharp and had good depth. It also had nearly a twenty mile-per-hour differential with is fastball. Minks’ slow, deliberate windup quickly switches gears and turns explosive. However, his arm would sometimes arrive late leading Mink to miss high and arm side. Over five innings, Mink tallied five strikeouts while allowing just one run against a stacked MVP Banditos 16U team.
Mink was supported by a strong offensive performance by the entire team, but Derek Crum (2019, Tampa, Fla.) stood out. He packs plenty of power in a sturdy 5-foot-10, 165-pound frame. In the fourth inning, Crum launched a ball in the gap and flew around the bases for a triple. He finished the day 2-for-2.
But one of the most powerful hitters in the entire tournament has to be Yordani Carmona (2019, Hialeah, Fla.). He’s already a hulking 6-foot-1, 195-pounds and has the power to match. In the first inning Carmona effortlessly flicked a ball to the opposite field for a double. He was later intentionally walked. Scouts nearby also commented that Carmona can hit 88 mph from the mound. Carmona is definitely a player to follow in the future.
-- Kyle Zweng