By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

After highlighting the updated and expanded Florida Class of 2018 Rankings last week, today we take a look at the Florida 2019 Class in the latest rankings update with an expanded list to 125.

This update features not only a shake-up in the Top 5, but a new No. 1 as SS/3B Rece Hinds (Niceville HS,FL) takes over the top spot after an impressive summer. The Louisiana State recruit is extremely athletic and along with a plus arm in the field, has shown big power potential at the plate. 

This class features plenty of high-end talent as 5 of the Top 10 players in the Overall Rankings are from Florida and 9 in the Top 25. Below is a full breakdown on each player in the Top 5 with video:

Rece Hinds SS / 3B / Niceville, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:1 POS:1 Overall Rank:3 POS:1 LSU recruit. The high-waisted, athletic, 6-foot-3, 195-pounder has one of the best all-around toolsets in the class. Defensively, he shows a quick first step with easy, rangy actions and a plus arm. The frame and athleticism appears to give him the ability to stick at short, but if he continues to fill out he could be a plus defensive third baseman. At the plate, he is balanced with a slightly open stance, quick hands, and above average bat speed. Consistently makes hard, loud contact with above average power and bat to ball skills. The big time all-around toolset showed during the summer and put him in the top spot.

 

 

Riley Greene OF / LHP / Hagerty, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:2 POS:1 Overall Rank:4 POS:1 Florida recruit. The wiry-athletic, 6-foot-3, 185-pound left-handed hitting outfielder has quick hands, and his loose finish allows for the ball to scream off the bat, usually with backspin into a gap. Greene’s frame is athletic without being bulky, and his elasticity helps him to create leverage on an uphill plane while allowing his barrel to spend a long time in the zone. He has continued to produce while in the national spotlight at major events, and appears to developing even more power. One of the top hitters in the 2019 class.

 

 

Hunter Barco LHP / OF / Bolles, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:3 POS:1 Overall Rank:6 POS:1 Virginia recruit. The big, strong 6-foot-4, 200 pounder has a clean, somewhat short arm action coupled with a drop-and-drive type delivery. The ball jumps out of his hand with life. His fastball sits at 90-91 mph, running it up a little better when needed. Barco also shows a feel for both a changeup at 78-82 mph as well as a slider at 75-77 mph with quality shape. At the plate he has present power with potential for plus power from the left side. The frame has a lot of room to continue to fill out and may have the biggest upside of any player in the class.

 

 

Judson Fabian OF / LHP / Trinity Catholic, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:4 POS:2 Overall Rank:9 POS:2 Florida recruit. Long, loose frame standing at 6-foot, 180 pounds. Wide-shouldered, good looking athlete.  Stands out on the field. Impressive in the outfield with a long, loose arm that is very accurate.  He can play centerfield now, but may continue to add to the frame and become a corner guy in the future. The ball sounds different coming off his bat as he is balanced and the bat stays in the zone for a long time.  Hands are strong and they have advanced quickness.  Very quiet pre pitch with a short stride.  Path works level with a high finish. Overall he's athletic with a plus bat and big potential.

 

 

Brandon Walker RHP / SS / North Florida Christian, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:5 POS:1 Overall Rank:10 POS:4 Florida State recruit. The 6-foot, 180 pounder shows big time tools, especially on the mound. He is very physical with strong legs. Arm swing is medium to long, but super easy and effortless. Repeats his motion flawlessly and fastball sits 90-92 mph with life, and has been up to 95-96 mph at times that jumps on hitters along with a slider that sits 74-76 mph with the potential to be a plus pitch. There is so little effort that the ball explodes out of his hand with a flick of the wrist. Walker is young and extremely athletic with a quick arm and a durable frame that should hold up even with the explosiveness in the delivery.

Here's a look at how the Top 10 stacks up:

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Rece Hinds	FL	Niceville	2019	SS	Louisiana State
2	Riley Greene	FL	Hagerty	2019	OF	Florida
3	Hunter Barco	FL	Bolles	2019	LHP	Virginia
4	Judson Fabian	FL	Trinity Catholic	2019	OF	Florida
5	Brandon Walker	FL	North Florida Christian	2019	RHP	Florida State
6	Joseph Charles	FL	First Academy	2019	RHP	North Carolina
7	Jake Holland	FL	Montverde Academy	2019	C	Miami
8	Tyler Callihan	FL	Providence	2019	SS	South Carolina
9	Isaac Nunez	FL	Lake Brantley	2019	SS	Florida
10	Jacob Herbert	FL	George W. Jenkins	2019	C	Florida

For a complete look at the updated and expanded Florida Class of 2019 Rankings, CLICK HERE

RECENT NEWS