Lakeland, FL--Over the weekend, two perennial Top 25 teams in the country, the Florida Gators and South Florida Bulls, matched up in a fall scrimmage at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, FL. The two took part in two six-innings games, in which each rolled out their respective stable of arms, along with at-bats for the majority of their rosters. The Gators took the first game 5-3 while the Bulls took the second by a score of 4-1.

Junior right-hander Tyler Dyson highlighted the arms the Gators rolled out on the afternoon. Dyson went two innings, and show the pure arm talent that makes him an early day one candidate in the 2019 MLB Draft. Dyson worked his fastball up to 97 mph while sitting mostly 94-95 mph. The right-hander is athletic and features a clean ¾ arm action. There is som rotation at times and led to a sweeping slider with a hump at times at 85 mph. Dyson struck out a pair in two innings and shows that day one type arm talent with the fastball, but will be interesting to see how the offspeed offerings continue to develop.

 

The Bulls got to Dyson in his second inning of work, with an RBI double from the impressive freshman Brandon Schrepf. Schrepf made a diving play to end the previous inning and showed that he has chance to make a big offensive impact as a freshman throughout the afternoon.

Another freshman who looks to be primed to make a big impact is Dylan Buck. Buck, who played both third and short, has a lean and athletic frame and the swing is compact, whippy and has bat-to-ball skills with above average power potential.

A trio of seniors also stood out for the Bulls in Kyle Phillips, Chris Chatfield and Garrett Zech. Phillips looks to be a perfect table setter as he is a twitchy athlete at the top of the order, running multiple sub 4.2 home to first time and showing a quality approach and bat-to-ball skills. Both Chatfield and Zech appeared to have somewhat cut down on the swing and miss as Chatfield had a single and double over the twelve innings and Zech hit a home run. One of the most interesting potential draft eligible players for the Bulls though is the left-handed hitting catcher and transfer from Miami-Dade College, Jordan Santos. Santos has real bat speed and strength and could be a staple in the middle of the order.

Senior Alec Wisely started on the mound in game one for the Bulls. Wisely worked mostly 90-93 mph, slightly crossfire from a 3/4 slot. Has a simple delivery and showed an above average changeup at 84-85 mph and slider at 83 mph. Junior Collin Sullivan followed Wisely and be one of the more interesting arms for the Bulls in game one. Sullivan worked 88-92 mph with a clean takeback and worked tall, upright and created downhill plane on the fastball. The changeup worked at 85 mph and slider at 81-82 mph. He ran out of steam in the second inning, but showed some early potential.

The Gators didn’t disappoint either, as they have reloaded with talent both on the mound and offensively. A trio of freshmen followed Dyson in David Luethje, Nick Pogue and Christian Scott all of whom are similar strong-bodied right-handers, who worked up to 92 or better and will all make an impact in the spring.

Offensively, senior Nelson Maldonado continued to show why he may be one of the best pure hitters in the country with a single and a double after an impressive 11-pitch battle. Freshmen Kendrick Calilao and Cory Acton also showed the big offensive tools they had in high school. Acton may be an early freshman all-American candidate, as he looks comfortable and the bat speed, strength and bat-to-ball skills should play. Returners Brady Smith and Blake Reese continued to show they will be staples in the Gators’ lineup.

Most impressively in game one is what appears to be the coming out party for the left-handed hitting outfielder Austin Langworthy. Langworthy has always shown the big time bat speed and power potential and all of those tools seem to be coming together as he propelled the Gators to the win with a big grand slam to right in the first game.

College of Central Florida transfer RHP Ben Koff got the start in the second game and impressed in this outing. Working mostly 90-92 mph, he is athletic with a quick arm and attacked hitters, striking out the side in the first. The curveball has some depth at 76-77 mph and looks the part of a weekend starter.

RHP Hunter McMullen was extremely impressive for the Gators as well. The strong bodied sophomore, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds he worked the fastball up to 97 mph and showed a hard slider at 85 mph, striking out a pair.

The Bulls offense was led by Zech’s two-run home run and the left handed hitting Santos. While the Gators got an RBI from freshman Kris Armstrong for their only run.

Also of note, redshirt freshman Hunter Ruth made his way back to the mound after being out last year with an injury, and was as impressive as he was in high school. Featuring less effort, letting his extremely quick arm work, he was 90-94 mph with life. He also showed a curveball at 82-86 mph with depth and a changeup at 83 mph.

 

Closing the game out for the Bulls is Miami-Dade transfer Nelson Alvarez. The junior definitely looks primed to hold down the back end of the bullpen. He has a big, strong and lean frame. Showing improved command, the fastball sat 94-95 mph and has been up to 98 mph in the past. He also showed feel for and above average changeup at 83-86 mph and an average curveball at 76-77 mph.

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