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Preseason Top 25: No. 17 The First Academy

January 14, 2016

By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

We are nearing the second week since the release of the preseason top 25 and eight teams have already been ranked. The schools have ranged from 2a up to 8a and have spanned from the Panhandle down to West Palm Beach. Today, we will highlight a 3a school out of Orlando who comes in at number 17 in Florida.

The First Academy is a program that has been on the rise in the last few years (68-14 record in the last three seasons) and they may in fact be fielding their best team since 2013—a unit that boasted LHP and first round pick Foster Griffin, Virginia CF/LHP Adam Haseley, and Florida State CF Ben DeLuzio. That 2013 team seemed like a lock for the state tournament but, unfortunately for them, they were upset in their regional semifinal.

Even though this 2016 squad does not possess two hard-throwing lefties at the top of their rotation and a sub-6.4 runner manning center field, they appear to be deeper and more well-rounded. The Royals received a huge boost to their team when 2016 3B/RHP Garrett Milchin transferred in from West Orange. The Florida Signee possesses a lean, athletic, and projectable frame at 6-foot-4 and he is a legitimate two-way threat. He runs his fastball up to 93-94 mph and he consistently drives the ball with authority to all fields. 2016 LHP Jason Helgeson, a Lake Sumter State Signee, will be another key arm for the Royals as he will be their top lefty. Two other seniors who will be helping Milchin and Helgeson lead the way are 2B and High Point Signee Cody Oerther and 1B Bopper Gilot, who has received offers from Louisville and Miami.

As for underclassmen, the future looks bright for The First Academy as they not only have multiple guys already committed, but they have some of the top players in their respective classes. 2017 SS Cash Case was another transfer who will tremendously improve this team. Case shows advanced actions in the infield with a strong arm across the diamond. At the plate he is a switch hitter who has no trouble driving top level pitching. Case will almost certainly be slotted somewhere in the top of the lineup for the Royals. 2018 OF Kendrick Caliloa will also be a vital piece for this team as he is already committed to Florida and possesses one of the best outfield arms in the state for his class. Offensively, he has a simple approach and a short, easy swing that allows him to consistently make hard contact. To continue this downward trend by grade level, The First Academy boasts one of the top 2019 players in the state, if not the country, in RHP Joseph Charles. In fact, he already has offers from Vanderbilt, North Carolina, Florida, Florida State, and Duke. Charles stands at 6-foot-2 and has a loose arm action and easy motion that allows him to easily run his fastball up to 86-87 mph with much more to come.

As for their schedule, the Royals play in a small but tough district. They will have to face Austin Bergner and Windermere Prep multiple times this season and will also have to get past an Orangewood Christian team who is always competitive. Outside of their district, teams like Benjamin, Trinity Christian, and Tampa Catholic will certainly have their sights set on the Final Four. Getting through Class 3A will be a grueling road but The First Academy is a confident bunch who expects to be the last squad standing in Ft. Myers.