South Florida Trials: Player Breakdown

January 17, 2019
Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director

The South Florida Trials took place Saturday January 12 at Florida International University. Players took part in a pro-style workout, followed by bullpens. Players were evaluated by PBR staff and look to earn an invitation to the premier preseason event, the Preseason All State. Today we take a look at the player breakdowns from the event.�

Jonathan Ramallo OF / RHP / Miami Sunset Senior High School, FL / 2020

Rankings� StateRank: 203 / POS: 32

The stocky and strong 6-foot, 180 pound OF/RHP was impressive two-way talent. From the outfield, he came through the ball well and topped out at 90 mph. Offensively, he there is some rotation in the swing, but has quick hands and present bat speed, creating an 89 mph exit velocity and more power still able to be generated as he continues to access the lower half and work through the baseball. On the mound, he worked from the stretch only, working mostly 85-86 topping at 88 mph. Overall, a twitchy athlete with a lot of upside.��

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Clayton Hodges OF / RHP / Episcopal School of Jax , FL / 2021

A long, lean and athletic 5-foot-11, 165 pound, defensively he came through the ball with rhythm and athleticism, showed a loose, easy arm action and throws were accurate with carry at 83 mph. Offensively, he uses a leg kick trigger. Looked to pull which created some length at times, but the bat is loose and whippy through the zone and as he squared up balls they came off the barrel with some life through the gaps. A lot of offensive upside as he matures and adds strength.��

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Austin Alexander SS / 2B / Miami Sunset Sr. High, FL / 2020

The athletic, 6-foot-1, 160 pound middle infielder has a long, lean and projectable frame. Defensively, he showed, fluid, easy action at short working to and through the ball with rhythm. Could improve release quickness, but first step, hands and feet work well.� Offensively, there is some present bat speed, with loose hands and a level swing through the zone.Showed a feel for the barrell with line drives from gap to gap in BP.�

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Christopher McKenna C / 3B / Marjory Stoneman Douglas, FL / 2021

At 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, McKenna has noticeably added strength to a projectable frame, with room to add more. Defensively, he continued to added flexibility as well, getting into quality positions and added strength assisting him in receiving. Overall, has the makings of an above average defender. Offensively, he stands tall and uses his long limbs to create leverage. This can create some steepness in the path at times, but shows a feel for the barrel, As he matures and continues to work on path and using the lower half, there is big offensive potential both power and hit.��

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Connor Wilt 3B / RHP / Cardinal Newman High School, FL / 2021

The stocky, 5-foot-11, 175 pound third� baseman worked under control defensively. Arm will need to continue to improve to stick at third, but hands and feet work well together. Offensively, the left handed hitter has a loose, swing with bat speed and power potential. He looks to pull and can wrap at times, but as he matures both physically and as a hitter, there is a lot of upside in the left-handed bat.��

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Rocco Nappi 2B / SS / Cypress Bay, FL / 2021

5-foot-9, 145 pounds, the middle infielder works under control and showed solid defensive action. Hands work out in front and has a good funnel into the frame. Could quicken up the release, but that will continue to improve with maturity and strength. Offensively, he uses a toe-tap load as his trigger. Gathers, but stays balanced and on-time. Simple and level through the zone. Path works and will continue to make strides with added strength and maturity.��

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Christopher Dorta C / OF / Mater Lakes Academy, FL / 2020

Standing at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds he has a strong, physical frame. The strength works defensively, where is has a quality setup and tends to get in good positions to receive. Could add some flexibility, transfer and footwork is clean with pop times in the 2.07-2.18 range. Overall a solid defender. Offensive, the strength still has room to translate as he can drift some through the swing. There is some leverage and as he continues to level the path out and work through the ball while accessing the strength in his lower half, there is more power to come.��

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Sam Krassan OF / C / Pine Crest, FL / 2021

The 5-foot-10, 160 pound left handed hitting outfielder showed some strength in the swing. Has a balanced lower half, can show some length and get rotational at times, but should continue to cut down the length with strength and maturity. Had an exit velocity of 78 mph. Topped out at 80 mph from the outfield and ran a 4.75 home to first time.��

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Michael Ciscar 3B / 2B / St. Thomas Aquinas, FL / 2020

A physical, broad shouldered, 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. Coming off of an injury, so still has a lot of room to improve, but showed some potential. Some stiffness in the infield, but solid defensive actions. Offensively, He worked with rhythm and got on time. Showed quality separation and a good path through the zone. A simple swing the projects to improve with strength to the projectable frame.��

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Alberto Ghisellini 3B / 1B / Westminster christian , FL / 2020

A stocky 5-foot-10, 170 pounds. Defensively, the hands work well, could improve first step quickness and release, but showed solid, sound defensive actions. Offensively, he has a small leg kick trigger, clears the back side fairly well, has some length, shows some gap power and had an exit velocity of 77 mph.�

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Logan Piedra C / 3B / Saint Thomas Aquinas, FL / 2021

Rankings� StateRank: 122 / POS: 16

5-foot-8, 172 pounds, defensively he showed pop times in the 2.17-2.43 range. Hands work well receiving and moved well blocking, will continue to improve defensively with reps and added strength and mobility. Offensively, ha a a leg kick load that gets him some rhythm There is natural whip in the swing and generates some bat speed with the present strength. Offensive upside as he continues to develop, topped out at 80 mph exit velocity.��

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Zachary Masnikoff SS / OF / American Heritage Delray, FL / 2021

The 5-foot-7, 135 pound middle infielder has some present twitchy athleticism for his age. Loose arm in the infield and all around solid defensive actions that project well as he grows. Offensively, he is somewhat closed off and fights against his front side. The path is short and simple and as he matures and learns to clear his back side he will make big strides.��

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Matthew Varela RHP / OF / Hialeah-Miami Lakes, FL / 2020

A stocky, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. He lands slightly closed, creating some crossfire action. The arm action is compact and clean from a high 3/4 slot. Simple, repeatable mechanics. Showed feel for all of his pitches, located 80-83 mph fastball down to both sides of the plate. The curveball and splitter were his two best offspeed pitches. The curveball had tight spin with depth at 69-71 mph and showed command of a splitter that tumbled at 70-71 mph. Not overpowering, but showed feel with two quality offspeed offerings that if he locates and mixes all three could be tough to face.��

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Matthew Hamburg RHP / Coral Reef Senior, FL / 2020

A big frame at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds. He has a full arm swing and lands slightly closed, throwing from a high 3/4 slot. The arm is fairly loose and the fastball has some heaviness at 82-84 mph with some downhill action. There is tilt and room to make some jumps in velocity with the easy arm action and strength. Best offspeed was his changeup, which was a fading change with feel at 72-76 mph. The curveball will need to improve and it tended to roll out of his hand, but overall the big frame and loose arm show potential.��

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Eddie Kitta SS / RHP / Merritt Island, FL / 2019

Athletic 5-foot-11, 160 pound SS/RHP. Defensively the hands and feet work together in rhythm. The arm action has some length and would need to shorten, but hands work well. Offensively, the swing is simple, short and level through the zone and he consistently found the barrel. On the mound he has a full arm swing and worked from a high 3/4 slot. The fastball worked 81-84 mph and the curveball showed some depth 69-70 mph and featured a straight changeup at 77-78 mph.��

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Tyler Novik 1B / RHP / Stoneman Douglas, FL / 2021

Long arms and legs at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. Defensively, moved well around the bag at first. Offensively, the swing is level and exit velocity topped out at 75 mph. On the mound, he worked from a low 3/4 slot with a short arm acton. Fastball worked 75-78 mph, with a short curveball at 67-68 mph and a changeup at 71-72 mph.��

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