The 2021 PBR Florida Academy World Series was held the past week in sunny Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, FL. The event featured 6 academies from around the southeast competing in a 2-game elimination tournament to determine the Academy World Series Winner. After three days of great baseball, Pro5 Academy Red came out as the champion going 3-0 in the tournament.

There was a lot of talent on display from all 6 teams from 2021s all the way to 2025s. Today, we will highlight those players who stood out most throughout the 2021 Academy World Series. Take a look.

Standouts

2022 Ryan Clifford, OF, Pro5 Academy

Clifford is a physical left handed hitter at 6-foot-215 pounds. The Vandy commit is one of the most advanced hitters in his class. Creates leverage and power with ease with a simple approach at the plate. Shows the ability to drive both gaps with above average bat speed. Ball jumps off the bat as he shows the ability to launch on contact. High follow 2022 prospect.

2021 Zane Taylor, RHP, Pro5 Academy

Athletic 5-foot-10, 180 pound frame. UNCW commit has made a nice jump in the last year running the fastball up to 93 mph with a quick arm. He attacks with an up tempo delivery with a lot of life on the fastball. Sat 90-92 T93 while showcasing an above average slider at times. Taylor pitched 3 shutout innings for Pro5 striking out 4

2022 Aaron Smigelski, 1B, Pro5 Academy

Smigelski, still uncommitted, has a strong physical body and shows a good disciplined approach at the dish. He has quick hands with great barrel control and showed the ability to spray the ball all over the field.

2022 Everett Cooper, INF, Pro5 Academy 

Cooper the super athletic Alabama commit showed why he is a highly touted player. He is a switch hitter with a great approach from both sides showing the ability to drive the ball gap to gap. He has super quick hands and stays within himself and puts together some great at bats. 

2022 Davion Hickson, RHP, IMG Academy

Looks the part. Simple, repeatable, athletic. Quick arm, low effort and has gotten a number of swing and misses or soft contact in the zone. Fastball sat 91-93 as he attacked the zone for 4 plus no-hit innings. Would also mix in a curveball at 79-81 and a changeup at 85 mph. A lot of athleticism and overall upside.

2020 Gabe Wright, OF, IMG Academy

Wright was impressive in all aspects of the game. Defensively he showed potential to be a plus fielder with a great 1st step. On the offensive side he barreled up multiple balls and showed a simple line drive approach. The thing that stood out the most was his base running, he is a plus runner and has great instincts on the base paths.

2021 Evan Clark, LHP, IMG Academy

Recent USC commit continued to show a heavy riding fastball coming from a tough low ¾ arm slot. Came in to close out IMG’s no hitter sitting 87-89 with the fastball with spin rates up to 2550. Mixed his slider at 76-78 mph.

2021 Cooper Smith, OF, IMG Academy

Smith was a force in the middle of IMG’s lineup on the last day of the tournament. Had two hits in the semifinals win over TNXL Tampa including a double. He then launched a two-run homer in the Championship game against Pro5. Seton Hill commit.

2022 Austin Newton, RHP, TNXL Tampa

Newton has an imposing 6-foot-7, 220 pound frame. He uses his long frame well to drive downhill to extension. Loose arm from an over the top arm slot can be tough for hitters to pick up. Newton sat 86-88 T90 with the fastball and 69-71 mph curveball.

2020 Luis Tyler Misla, LHP, TNXL Tampa

Misla showed a lot to like from the left side in three separate appearances for TNXL Tampa. High, waisted 5-foot-11, 170 pound frame. Sat 89-90 T91 from the left side. Flashed a plus breaking ball that was up to 2900 rpm on the spin rate.

2021 Jackson Choinski, C, TNXL Tampa

Choinski has a stocky, strong frame at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds. The Hilbert College commit barreled the ball all tournament as he led the entire field in hits with 6. Two hits in game one with two RBI. Two hits in game three with another RBI, and two more hits in game four for TNXL Tampa.

2025 Mitchell Rodriguez,  C, TNXL Tampa

Looks the part of a young left-handed bat to follow. Compact, level swing and uses his present strength well. Has makings of above average defensive catcher with quality receiving ability and above average arm strength. 

2023 Cullen McConathy, LHP, TNXL Academy

Young athletic southpaw at 6-foot, 155 pound frame. Sat 80-84 with the fastball showing a quick arm. Flashed an above average breaking ball. Struck out 4 in 2 shutout innings of work.

2021 Yohan Dessureault, 3B, TNXL Academy

Dessureault continues to be an offensive force for TNXL Academy. Simple left handed swing with gap to gap power. Launched a triple early in the tournament and later doubled. NWFS commit will make an impact as soon as he steps onto campus.

2022 Diego Alana, SS, TNXL Academy

Alana was impressive all over the field. The switch hitting middle infielder shows smooth hands and feet defensively while putting together quality at bats each time out. Shows easy range at short with quick transfers and an above average arm.

Subscribe to view the article with video.