Power25 Countdown: No 16 Doral Academy

February 11, 2020
PBR Florida
PBR Florida Staff

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

3B/RHP Luis Espinal

Team: Doral Academy
Preseason Rank: 16
2019 Record: 25-7
FHSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: Ralph Suarez
Playoff Run: State Runner-Up

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Adrian Figueroa, LHP/1B, 2020 (FIU)
Luis Espinal, 3B/RHP, 2020 (Miami)
Dominic Pitelli, SS, 2020 (Miami)
Gabriel Gutierrez, OF, 2021 (Miami)
Marcus Franco, 1B/RHP, 2021 (FIU)
Manuelle Marin, SS, 2024 (Miami)

X-FACTOR

Gabriel Gutierrez - Gutierrez was Doral’s biggest bat last season as he helped lead Firebirds to the State Final Four. Heading into his junior season, the Miami commit will need another big year in order for Doral Academy to repeat the success they had in 2019.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Nicolas Pitelli, C, 2019 (Santa Fe)
Ronny Medina, SS, 2019 (Florida Southwestern)
Matthew Corpas, 2B, 2019 (Florida Southwestern)
Mario Garcia, RHP, 2019 (Santa Fe)
Xavier Moronta, OF, 2019

OUTLOOK
Doral Academy’s 2019 season was a very successful one. They went 25-7 and finished as a state runner-up. Coming into the 2020 season, the Firebirds return most of their starters from last. Where they need to improve most is their bench depth. They will need some of their younger players to step up and fill that role. Returning on the mound is their ace Adrian Figueroa (FIU), who went 9-0 with a 0.70 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 2019. On offense, Doral returns their biggest bat from last season in OF Gabriel Gutierrez (Miami). Gutierrez was a force offensively as he batted .427 with 8 HRs and 27 RBI in 2019. The Firebirds return several other impact hitters in Luis Espinal (Miami), Dominic Pitelli(Miami), and Marcus Franco (FIU). One interesting storyline to follow will be Manuelle Marin (Miami), as he will be starting as an 8th grader. Doral Academy has the talent to make another deep playoff run in 2020. Make sure to follow @pbrflorida on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.