Bradenton, FL— On Saturday, Jan. 27th, 100 of the top high school prospects ranging from the 2018-2021 classes participated in PBR Florida’s second annual Preseason All-State which is the premier kickoff event for the 2018 spring high school season. Last year’s inaugural event boasted some of the top talent from throughout the state of Florida and this year’s event was no different. From draft talent, numerous Division I recruits, and some of the top uncommitted underclassman in the state, the Preseason All-State is one of the most highly viewed events in the state of Florida. With that talented group, we continue our breakdown with the pitchers, starting with the top five, followed by the best of the rest. 

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Franco Aleman RHP / Alonso, FL / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 43 / POS: 16 OverallRank: 217 / POS: 92 Florida International recruit. The 6-foot-6, 215 pound right-hander is not only long and projectable, but also has present strength especially in the lower half. He may have made the biggest splash for himself on the day as he continues to see his stock rise. Not only can you easily dream on the frame, the arm works free and easy as well. There is some length in the back, but he gets down the mound well and his fingers on top of the fastball creating tilt mostly at 90-92 touching 93 mph. The curveball shows a lot of upside as well. When on top it has depth and tight spin at 74-76 mph. Also shows a feel for a 78-79 mph changeup. There is a lot to like about Aleman and wouldn’t be surprised to see him catch some helium in the spring and rise up draft boards.

Dante Visconti RHP / Bartram Trail, FL / 2019 Florida Atlantic recruit. Stands at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, with a strong, thick lower half. He worked with an up-tempo pace and attracted hitters, working off of his fastball for two innings. Currently works with a lower front side and some rotation, but the arm works loose and easy from a ¾ slot. The fastball sat 84-88 touching 89 mph with some late arm side life, and work expect to see more. He showed a feel for a sweeping slider, that he threw to right and left-handed hitters at 75-76 mph. Would expect to see him develop a changeup, but overall he had a quality presence with a loose arm. Expect to see a jump in velocity.

Mitchell LeRoy RHP / Freedom, FL / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 50 / POS: 17 OverallRank: 237 / POS: 82 Hillsborough CC recruit. Stands at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. Has broad shoulders and long arms on a projectable frame. Has a shorter arm action in the back and a high front side. Creates tilt, with the fastball working mostly 87-89 mph. While it's early in the year, he dropped off a bit to 85-87 in the second and is primed overall for a big jump as he continues to add strength to the projectable frame. He showed a command of the fastball and also a feel of a curveball at 70-73 mph with depth and a strait change at 81-83 mph. He struck out two in his two innings of work. Overall there are present tools and everything projects well. Should see big jumps with innings and strength.

Parker Murphy LHP / East River, FL / 2019 Uncommitted, stands at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. The left-hander pounded the zone for his two innings of work. Has a stocky frame, mostly strong in the lower half. Had a clean and repeatable delivery, using the lower half well, riding his hip down the mound. From a ¾ slot the fastball worked 84-86 mph and he commands the pitch down in the zone to both sides of the plate. He used a hard curveball, with depth, as an out pitch at 74-66 mph, striking out two in two innings. Also showed a feel for a changeup at 78-79 mph. A left hander with present stuff and a feel for three pitches, can't see him being uncommitted too long.

Paul Labriola LHP / 1B / Cardinal Mooney, FL / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 86 / POS: 10 Clemson recruit. Currently stands 6-foot-5, 185 pounds with a lean, tall frame with lots of projection. On the mound he displayed a loose, easy working arm out of the ¾ slot from the left side. Showed a feel for all three pitches and the ability to work both sides of the plate. He featured a fastball that sat between 83-85 mph, touching 86 with run while also mixing in a changeup that sat at 76-77 mph and a back-door slider at 69-72 mph. Look for Labriola to see jumps in velocity as he continues to add to his frame.

Here's the best of the rest, in no particular order:

Alex Trepper RHP / 3B / Sickles, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Athletic build standing at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. Displayed a three pitch mix and has the ability to throw any pitch in any count. Arsenal works well together and shows confidence on the mound. Fastball mostly sat in the 72-75 mph range with downward depth action. Also mixed in a 64-66 mph curveball with over-the-top shape and tumble action along with a changeup at 67-69 mph, matching shape to the fastball. Controls the run game well.

Austin Tanner RHP / 3B / Windermere Prep, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Slender, athletic build on lanky 6-foot, 165 pound frame. Room to fill out. Athletic actions from the mound with a  simple, up-tempo delivery. Fastball mostly sat in the 78-80 mph range with horizontal fade. Mixed in a 68-71 mph curveball with 11/5 shape, sweeping action along with a 69-72 mph change up. Shows sharpness on the fastball and the offspeed stuff will continue to improve with physical development.

Luke Baker LHP / 1B / Buchholz, FL / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 64 / POS: 9 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-5, 182 pounds on a tall, lanky frame with lots of projection. Smooth, easy actions on mound. Long and loose limbs. Fastball mostly sat in the 79-82 mph range along with a 68-70 mph curveball that displayed 1/7 shape with big sweeping break, flashing late action. Has the chance to be an above average curveball. Mixed in a changeup at 69-72 mph. Looks for big jumps in the coming years as he continues to mature and fill out his frame.

Bryce Einstein RHP / Canterbury, FL / 2019 Lipscomb recruit. Currently stands at 6-foot-5, 185 pounds with a tall, projectable frame. Stood out during his time on the mound where he struck out four batters during his two innings. Drops down and throws out of the low ¾ slot and creates tough angles on right-handed hitters with deception in his delivery. Fastball mostly sat in the 75-77 mph range with tailing action and keeping it low and away along with a 67-69 mph sweeping slider that shows depth and late action.

Will Stroud RHP / 1B / Lake Highland Prep, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds with a tall, physical frame and strong lower half. Showed a nice jump in velocity from a couple weeks earlier from 78-80 mph to 82-84 on his fastball which showed run, throwing it for strikes and down in the zone. Also mixed in a 74-76 mph changeup with some fade along with a 71-72 mph slider. Struck out two in his time on the mound and pitched with confidence. Good follow this spring as he continues to log innings on the mound.

Ryan McCauley RHP / 1B / East Lake, FL / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 26 / POS: 5 OverallRank: 139 / POS: 36 Tennessee recruit. Currently stands 6-foot-4, 200 pounds with a tall, strong frame. Throws out of the high ¾ slot with a windup that he consistently repeats, looking to throw off the timing of the hitter with a big leg kick. Lands out in front and looks to attack hitters. Fastball mostly sat in the 82-83 mph range along with a 69-71 mph above average changeup. Throws his changeup for strikes and at any part in the count. Knows how to pitch and should see some jumps in velocity as he continues to mature.

Griffin Ryan RHP / 3B / Lakeland Christian, FL / 2018 Uncommitted. Currently stands 6-foot-4, 185 pounds with a lean, athletic build and room to fill out. Simple, repeatable windup with a big leg kick for his delivery. On the mound he showed the ability to control both sides of the plate, working downhill. During the game, he worked down in the zone consistently with his fastball that sat between 84-85 mph, touching 86 along with a back-foot slider at 74-75 mph, consistently getting hitters to roll over and keep it on the ground. Works out in front. Interesting uncommitted arm to watch this spring with room to still add to his projectable frame.

Mason Miller LHP / 1B / JW Mitchell, FL / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 53 / POS: 7 Uncommitted. Tall frame with projection standing at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Throws out of the ¾ slot creating some deception with a crossfire delivery. Fastball mostly worked at 82-84 mph with run along with a 68-72 mph slider with sweeping action, throwing it for strikes. Struck out three in his two innings of work. Threw a high percentage of strikes and attacked both sides of the plate, working down in the zone.

Tony Becker RHP / Creekside, FL / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 131 / POS: 37 Uncommitted. Currently stands 6-foot-4, 210 pounds with lean, projectable frame and room to grow. Deceptive windup with some moving parts, throwing the ball out of the ¾ slot with long arm action. Worked the inside of the plate on right handed hitters, looking to jam them up. Fastball mostly sat between 80-82 mph along with a deceptive slider that showed sweeping action at 70-71 mph. The projection is there to make a jump with velocity as he continues to refine his mechanics.

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