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:

LHP Raymond Fields

Team: The First Academy
Preseason Rank: 23
2016 Record: 25-5
FHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Scott Grove
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional Final
Returning Starters: 8


TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Kendrick Calilao, OF, 2018 (Florida)
Dakota Grove, OF, 2018 (Rollins)
Raymond FIelds, LHP, 2018 (Florida Southern)
Joseph Charles, RHP, 2019 (North Carolina)
Sutton Hardy, LHP, 2019
Bryce Fisher, RHP, 2019

X-FACTOR
Joseph Charles.  The junior NOrth Carolina recruit is one of the best underclass arms in the country. With a fastball that has been up to 95 and above average secondary, he has the ability to dominate lineups and be a frontline starter. Charles is also impressive offensively and would expect him to have an impact in the lineup as well.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
SS Cash Case (Cincinnati Reds))

OUTLOOK
The Royals return all of their pitchers and eight starters from a team that made a run to the Regional Final in 2017. The loss of 2nd round pick of the Cincinnati Reds, SS Cash Case, will be tough to replace, but will be the job of OF Kendrick Calilao. Calilao is one of the top right handed bats in the class and will look to carry The First Academy offensively and follow in Case’s footsteps all the way to the draft as well. Returning their entire staff from 2017 and led by junior Joseph Charles, the Royals will rely on their pitching depth and experience. Florida Southern recruit Raymond Fields and impressive underclassman LHP Sutton Hardy will round out the rotation. The pitching experience and depth bring the Royals in at No. 23 in the preseason Power25.

Make sure to follow @pbrflorida on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.

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