FHSAA Diamond Notes: 2/26 to 3/4
March 7, 2019
Throughout the 2019 high school season, we’re accepting nominations from the coaches across the state of Florida for their program’s PDQ Player of the Week candidates. While there can only be one PDQ Player of the Week in the state, we’ll be using this weekly FL Diamond Notes post to highlight the top performers of the past week who fell just short of PDQ POTW honors. We cover all corners of the state, and the evidence is in this post.
Below are the Diamond Notes from Feb. 26 to March 4.
PBR Florida would like to thank all the coaches from across the state who nominated their players. There were numerous worthy selections, making it a difficult challenge to narrow down our Diamond Notes to just five. However, with much thought and deliberation we were able to narrow down our candidates.
+ Brayden Miller, 3B/RHP, Bartow, 2019
Miller had a huge week offensively, leading Bartow to a 2-0 start and the Military Appreciation Tournament championship. Bartow defeated Lake Wales 7-4 and then Ridge Community 9-8. Over the course of two games, Miller went 7-for-8 with five doubles, eight RBI, two walks and two hit-by-pitches. In 12 total at-bats, he reached base safely 11 times.
+ Bennett Lee, C, Jesuit, 2020
Jesuit had the tough challenge of opening up the season with Westminster Christian, No. 2 Pace and No. 11 North Broward Prep. The tigers took care of business in all three and Lee was a major factor. The uncommitted junior went 8-for-13 with four doubles and four RBI.
+ Jovan Gill, RHP/INF, Southwest Florida Christian, 2020
The Stetson recruit got the job done on the mound and at the plate in two games last week. In five innings pitched, Gill picked up the win versus Seacrest Country Day, striking out 12 batters while allowing three hits and one unearned run. Offensively, he went 5-for-7 with two walks, one triple, one home run, seven RBI and two runs scored.
+ Kael Johnston-Royal, RHP/OF, Western, 2019
A Florida State College at Jacksonville recruit, Johnston-Royal delivered the performance every opening day starter dreams about. The right-hander went seven innings, allowing two hits, zero runs, zero walks, and striking out 12 in a 4-0 win over South Plantation.
+ Gabriel Gutierrez, OF, Doral Academy, 2021
Doral Academy got out to one of the hottest starts in the state, taking down Cardinal Gibbons, Cypress Bay and American Heritage Plantation. The catalyst for the Firebirds was the Miami (FL) commit, Gabriel Gutierrez. In three games, Gutierrez batted .750 with two home runs, nine RBI and three runs scored.