Saturday June 23rd at Henley Field in Lakeland, FL, the top underclass high school prospects ranging from the 2020-2022 classes participated in the 2018 Florida Underclass Games which is one of the premier scouting event for the 2018 summer season. With a talented roster on hand, players participated in a pro-style workout followed by two ten inning games.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will breakdown each position through stats, report, video, and more. Today we take a look at the top five catchers, followed by the best of the rest. 

 

 

Sawyer Feller C / 1B / North Broward Prep, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Athletic, muscular build at 6-foot-1 197 pounds. Defensively there are tools to like and potential to be a well above average defender.  Arm is solid average with good carry to the bag, best pop time is 1.96, and moved well behind the plate in game action. There is a lot of present athleticism and ran a 7.0. During BP he looked to pull and had strength in the swing. The ball carried when his timing was right. He works with a leg kick trigger and bat angle at load can be inconsistent and create length, but the athleticism, strength and bat speed lead to believe he will continue to clean up the mechanics and have ability to consistently hit and hit with power. Translated well in the game as he turned on a fastball hitting a home run to left center. Overall, a big strong catcher with above average defensive tools and power potential will be an impact player at the next level.

 

 

Dylan King C / SS / American Heritage, FL / 2021 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot, 170 pounds with a strong, athletic frame. He frame looks taller and will continue to fill it out. Listed as middle infield, but really projects well behind the plate. Defensively, he has a good setup and feel to catch. Throws were accurate and has the tools to become an above average defender. Offensively, the left handed hitter has a simple and repeatable swing. Could benefit from some added separation in the load, but the hands works direct to the ball and have looseness, working consistently out in front. The hit tool played with two hits in the game which included a hard line drive single into right field. Overall, athletic and very high ceiling.

 

 

Jonathan Santiago C / 2B / Dunnellon, FL / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 88 / POS: 15 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds with an athletic frame. Behind the plate, he shows a natural feel to receive and play the position. Shows flexibility and the ability to keep the ball in front of him in the dirt. Accurate throws to the bag that topped out at 71 mph with pop times ranging in the 2.0-2.07 sec range. Offensively he shows some present bat speed with the ability to drive the ball when he is on time. Registered an 84 mph exit velocity in the cage. Had a hard line drive single to left field during gameplay.

 

 

Jaime Ferrer C / SS / TNXL Academy, FL / 2021 Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with a stocky frame and strength throughout. The catcher shows above average actions behind the plate for his age with pop times in the 1.94-2.15 sec range and accurate throws to the bag.Continues to stand out offensively where it not only showed during batting practice but translated to the game where he delivered a line drive double into the gap.

 

 

Isaac Ferrer C / 3B / Elev8 Baseball Academy, FL / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 103 / POS: 18 Stocky,5-foot-10, 165 pounds. Offensively, he works with rhythm and natural uphill swing. He has a small leg kick, clears the backside well and creates above average bat speed. The strength and bat speed translate to 90 mph exit velocity. Defensively, he has present athleticism, with a quick, clean transfer and throws have carry with pop times ranging form 2.0-2.08. Overall  tools to be above average defender with gap to gap power.

 

Now we take a look at the best of the rest in no particular order:

 

 

Matthew Campina C / 1B / The First Academy, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot, 185 pounds with a stocky frame. Ran a 7.52 60 yard dash time. Defensively, he showed a solid ability to receive out in front and stick pitches. Pop times ranged from 2.16-2.2 secs and topped out at 72 mph from behind the plate. Offensively, he is level through the zone and showed line drive potential. Can become a bit rotational at times, but stays in the zone and has strength in the lower half. As he utilizes his lower half more, he should see a jump in power. Registered an exit velocity of 84 mph in the cage.

 

 

Blake Dincman C / OF / North Florida Christian, FL / 2021 5-foot-10, 162 pounds, he has continued to fill out, in both the shoulders and the lower half. Offensively, e works off of the front foot and there is present strength. Can drop hands and work come out of the strong lower half at times. He has gap to gap power and as he learns how to consistently stay in the lower half will have power potential. Defensively, he shows above average ability to receive the baseball. It is an advanced receive skill, getting to pitches from knee to knee. Overall, solid present defender and as he matures could be a well above average to plus defender.

 

 

Justin Farina C / 1B / Durant, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-8, 175 pounds with a strong lower half. Shows a quick bat through the zone from the left side with a slight uphill path through the zone. During batting practice he showed some pull side power when he barreled up multiple pitches for deep line drives into right field. He is balanced with a strong ler half. Defensively, shows sound ability to block and receive, pop times ranged from 2.19-2.22.

 

 

Brody Donay C / 3B / Lakeland Christian, FL / 2022 A lanky 6-foot, 145 pounds and has the frame you can see being very projectable as he matures. Offensively, there is present leverage. There is some steepness in the path and could get into the lower half, but the leverage will translate to power as he matures and adds strength. Defensively, he is athletic and flexible. The hands work and has quality defensive tools. His pop time ranged from 2.13-2.28. There is a lot of growth ahead and there are present tools that you can see making big strides.

 

 

Pedro Gutierrez C / Leto, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds with a strong, athletic, projectable frame. Offensively, the switch hitter is presently more advanced from the left side. Left handed he works with rhythm and looseness in the hands. There is present bat speed and natural loft. Right handed, he utilizes the same strength. Can let the barrel get away from him at times from both sides, but overall there is potential from both sides of the plate. Defensively, shows flexibility. He has a strong arm and pop times will improve as he grows into his frame as he topped at 77 mph and pop times ranged from 2.0-2.2.

 

 

Aidan Hughes C / OF / Central Florida Aerospace Acadamy, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds. Offensively, he stands tall in the box and hands are quick through the zone. He could get into the lower half, but already generates gap to gap power with above average bat speed and an 89 mph exit velocity. Defensively, his athleticism plays well, quality footwork and transfer with pop times ranging from 2.07-2.15.

 

 

Riley Parker C / 3B / The First Academy, FL / 2022 Standing at 6-foot, 180 pound he has present physicality, especially in the lower half. Offensively, he sinks into the lower half, staying balanced. Can get rotational at times, but there is present strength and can see having power with maturity. Defensively, he is a solid defender. The hands work well and has a feel to receive. Accurate throws, with pop times ranging from 2.06-2.15, with quality footwork.

 

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