By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

Follow @PBRFlorida

With the release of the updated Florida Class of 2017 Rankings, today we look at some of the biggest risers who have impressed early in the spring. Below are reports on five prospects who have seen their stock rise and made a jump in the rankings:

Jake Eder, LHP, Calvary Christian Academy, FL (Vanderbilt)
Making a jump from the No. 10 spot up to No. 6 is the big, strong 6-foot-4, 210-pound lefthander. Eder has come out electric so far this spring, showing a clean and easy delivery and as he has found his timing and extension, the fastball has climbed from 90-93 mph to touching 94, 95. He pitches in the 90-93 range while showing a curveball that flashed above average depth at times at 71-73 mph and an occasional 70-71 mph changeup. The offspeed stuff will need to improve and become more consistent, but the frame and arm make him extremely intriguing and the velocity has continued to climb and his command continues to improve.

Chris Seise, SS, West Orange HS, FL (UCF)
Coming up from No. 11 to No. 8 is the 6-foot-2, 175 pound shortstop. Seise has played solid defense up the middle showcasing a quick first step, soft hands, and a strong arm across the diamond. Offensively Siese’s tools have impressed early in the spring, showing his athleticism running a 4.01 down the line. He has shown the ability to hit much more consistently with above average power which he showcased a couple weeks ago crushing a ball off of a quality arm over the right-center field wall with ease. Seise may have the most upside of any of the shortstops in the state and the tools are starting to come together.

Austin Martin, SS, Trinity Christian Academy, FL (Vanderbilt)
Making a jump from No. 40 up to No. 13 is the 6-foot, 175 pound infielder. Martin has been impressive this spring showing some quick twitch, but overall he is a gamer. He has good footwork and soft hands at short. He shows a feel and above average IQ at the position. Offensively, the right handed hitter has a good gap to gap approach with a feel for the barrel and above average bat speed. He has also continued to show the ability to hit the high-end pitching.

Zach Jackson, C, Winter Haven HS, FL (Florida)
Moving up from the No. 46 spot to No. 15 is the 6-foot-2, 215-pound left handed hitting catcher. Jackson has all of the tools to catch at the next level and is flexible in his setup and shows above average receiving skills with strong wrists and soft hands. He moves well behind the plate and has an above average arm, solid footwork, and quick, clean transfer resulting in 1.9-2.0 pop times consistently. Offensively, the left handed hitter has a slightly uphill path with some present barrel feel and projects to have above average power.

Shane Drohan, LHP, Cardinal Gibbons HS, FL (Florida State)
Coming up from the No. 78 spot up to No. 38 is projectable, high-waisted 6-foot-2, 170 pounder. Drohan has one of the best left handed breaking balls in the class and has pitched at the 88-90 mph range. The fastball has made another jump, topping out at 93 mph and with his arm having very little mileage, he projects to throw much harder. He is one of the few arms who has shown the ability to throw three above average pitches and projects to be a starter at the next level.

Recent News