Florida ProCase Preview: SS Drake Varnado
May 21, 2020
The PBR ProCase has been a staple of the Prep Baseball Report's pro coverage over the last 17 years. The event has become one of the more high-powered pro showcases in the state and has seen multiple high draft picks in year’s past. There have been four players drafted in the top five rounds of the MLB Draft to have attended the Florida ProCase in previous years. The biggest of them all was Mason Denaburg, who was taken in the 1st round of the 2018 draft by the Washington Nationals. Another ProCase alum was Freddy Tarnok. He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft. Sam McMillan attended the first Florida ProCase in 2016. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2017 draft by the Detroit Tigers. And just last year, Tyler Callihan was selected in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft by the Cincinnati Reds.
The 2020 Florida ProCase will take place Friday, May 29th at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona, Florida. The event will feature a pro-style workout followed by simulated gameplay that we will be broadcasting live on Twitter. Starting today, we will be spotlighting each of the players that will be in attendance at the 2020 Florida ProCase.
If you still wish to attend the 2020 Florida ProCase you can request your invite and register HERE.
Next up is 2021 SS Drake Varnado (IMG Academy). Varnado, an Arkansas commit, is a recent transfer to IMG from Port Neches, Texas. Drake debuted in the PBR Florida Class of 2021 rankings at No. 11 and ranks No. 2 positionally.
SS Drake Varnado
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Scouting Report
11.04.18
The South Carolina commit has an athletic 6-foot-2, 165-pound frame with plenty of room to add strength over the next couple of years. Offensively, Varnado is starting to come into his own with added rhythm in his hands providing for good lag through the zone, to go with a balanced, leveraged hack. He posted an exit velocity of 90 mph off the tee, and showed gap power during BP, as well a quality at-bat during the game where he scorched a deep fly ball to centerfield. Varnado plays light on his feet at shorstop, and has plenty of arm strength across the diamond at 89 mph. The exchange is quick and he can throw from different slots with plenty of juice to get the ball over to first. On the mound, he pitched at 86-88 and showed great feel for his changeup at 78-82 mph. Got around his curveball a bit from the stretch, but during can still throw it for a strike at 71-77 with good depth and downer shape.
05.21.17
At 6-foot-2, 155-pounds, the rising freshman not only looks the part with a projectable frame, but he also impressed with a 7.0-second 60-yard dash time, running with an easy stride. The right-hander works from a high-¾ slot with a clean, easy, effortless arm stroke. Throws a straight, four-seam fastball at 82-83 mph. The freshman repeats his delivery and arm swing for his off speed pitches, his curveball was 65 mph with 11-5 shape, while his changeup was 66 mph. The right-handed hitter has a balanced stance with his weight slightly shifted to his back leg. He has a smooth load and uses a short, direct hand path make consistently hard contact during batting practice with a gap-to-gap approach. His exit velocity was 87 mph off the tee. At shortstop, Varnado has fluid footwork and solid glove action, clean exchanges in the mid-line of his body, and throw with an easy, quick release. Overall, Varnado is a high level prospect.