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Preseason Top 25: No. 3 Flanagan

February 2, 2016

By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

We are inching closer to the number one spot of the preseason top 25 and the further we make it down the list, the tougher it is to decipher who should be ranked where. We are now in the top three which means each of these remaining teams has to feel optimistic about their chances of winning a 2016 state championship.

The number three team is another program who has a rich history and multiple state championships under their belt. The Flanagan Falcons are a part of the 9A classification and will be looking to make it back to the state tournament after three straight losses in the regional finals, including a heartbreaking 1-0 loss last season to Columbus HS who was the eventual state champion. This season, however, may be the year they take home their first state championship since 2010 as they have two reliable seniors leading the way on the mound and a deep lineup that should provide plenty of support.

2016 LHP Dylan O’Connell will likely be their ace. The Florida Atlantic Signee has a lean, athletic, and projectable body at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and he really pounds the zone with three pitches, including a fastball that sits 88-91 and touches 92 mph. The other senior starter for the Falcons will be a lean and projectable 6-foot-2 RHP, Nick MacDonald. MacDonald, an Alabama State Signee, possesses a loose and quick arm that produces an 86-89 mph fastball and a sharp curveball that is difficult on right handers. Both O’Connell and MacDonald will give Flanagan an excellent chance to win every time they step onto the mound.

As for their offense, it is only appropriate that we start with the shortstop for the Falcons. Mark Vientos is the number two overall prospect in Florida and probably the top 2017 SS prospect in the country. He has a loose, lean, and projectable frame at 6-foot-3 and has the range, hands, and arm strength to stay at shortstop at the professional level. At the plate he has great leverage in his swing and he can drive the ball out of any ballpark at any given time. The Miami commit has a very good chance of being a high pick in the 2017 MLB draft. To stay with the 2017 class, the catcher for Flanagan will be Alex Hernandez. Hernandez is a consistent defender who is a soft receiver, has a strong arm, blocks the ball well, and fires a sub-2.0 down to second base on a regular basis. He can also really swing the bat as he possesses a relaxed approach with a smooth swing that produces line drives to all fields. Staying up the middle of the diamond, 2016 OF Eric Rivera will likely be playing center field for Flanagan and hitting somewhere towards the top of the order. River, another Florida Atlantic Signee, is an above average runner with a strong arm and a short, quick swing at the plate. He gets on base and can really square up quality pitching.

Even though this is a well-rounded unit who has the talent, experience, and coaching to win a state title, they are a part of that daunting 9A region in South Florida that includes, Jupiter, Boca Raton, Columbus, Douglas, and a few other quality programs. Even though they may have the best overall team, Flanagan will have to be at the top of their game when the playoffs come around.