Florida Burn Tryouts PBR Upgrade

January 23, 2017

By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

Venice, FL- In the first portion of the Florida Burn tryouts for the 2017 summer season, players from the 2020 and 2021 class were in attendance for a pro-style workout along with simulated games at Venice high school. Below are the reports on players who were in attendance on January 14^th and had the PBR Upgrade.

Players who are still interested in adding the PBR Upgrade from the January 14^th tryouts can still do so here: PBR Upgrade

Christian Boyles, OR/RHP, Riverdale HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 5-foot-8, 130 pounds with a thin, wiry build. Stays balanced in the box and shows some good hand eye coordination, quick twitch at the plate. Consistently was able to square the ball up and make contact during batting practice. In the outfield showed some athleticism, aggressiveness to go get the ball. Throws had some accuracy to them. As he continues to get stronger he will able to have more velocity, carry on his throws from the outfield.

Santino Cervone, 3B/RHP, Bishop Verot HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 6-foot, 170 pounds with a solid, strong build and a good lower half. Slightly open stance at the plate with a leg kick for his load. During batting practice he showed the ability to make hard contact when he was on time and drive the ball into the gaps. Strong hands. During gameplay, he took a ball on the outside part of the plate to deep right field for a standup double. At times he can be out in front, but when he is in rhythm, he can drive the ball with authority. While he was playing third, he was aggressive to the ball and displayed accurate throws with carry across the diamond as he topped out at 80 mph.

Brooks Chandler, 3B/RHP, DeLand HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 6-foot, 205 pounds with strong, solid build and a good lower half. At the plate he has a smooth swing from the right side with strong hands and an uphill bat path to the ball. Showed the ability to drive the ball deep into the outfield and registered an exit velocity of 76 mph in the cage. As he learns to utilize his lower half more and stay balanced, he will continue to improve his gap to gap power potential. While at third base he displayed the ability to field the ball cleanly while ranging backhand and forehand to the ball. Throws to first base were accurate as he topped out at 70 mph across the diamond.

Zachary Cropper, OF/1B, Steinbrenner HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 6-foot-2, 165 pounds with a tall, lean, projectable build. While playing first base he fielded the ball out in front and under control while also showing the ability to come up and get the ball. Moves well to his left and right. Throws from the outfield had some carry on it, topping out at 75 mph. From the left side of the plate shows some strength in his swing, ability to make hard contact as he registered an 84 mph exit velocity in the cage.

John Dalton, OF/RHP, Lakewood Ranch HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 5-foot-7, 115 pounds with a lean, wiry build. At the plate he has a wide stance with some quick twitch and good hand eye coordination. When he made contact with the ball, he was able to use all of the plate including going the other way to right field a few times during batting practice. In the outfield he was able to charge, field the ball out in front. His throws into home topped out at 63 mph. Look for Dalton’s game to improve as he continues to strengthen and mature.

Tyler Dietz, SS/RHP, Calvary Christian HS, FL (2021)
Stands at 5-foot-11, 135 pounds on a lean, projectable build with athleticism. Stood out in the field where he showed actions, fielded the ball under control, and showed lateral quickness. Bounces around and is light on his feet. Throws to bag were accurate and had carry as he topped out 77 mph across the infield. At the plate has a very open stance and keeps his feet close together in the back of the box.. Has a big kick for his load and showed quick hands with the ability to make consistent contact with the ball during batting practice. Young player to follow as he continues to mature as he shows good actions all over the field with a projectable frame to build on.

Bryce Dunigan, C/OF, Lake Howell HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 5-foot-10, 150 pounds with a lean, athletic build. At the plate he showed good balance in the box with minimal movement and the ability to adjust to different pitches, use all of the plate. During batting practice he hit line drives to all parts of the field, including a few right back up the middle. Registered a 79 mph exit velocity in the cage. In the outfield he showed athleticism and a quick first step to the ball. Displayed some range and his throws in from right field had carry and accuracy to them as he topped out at 80 mph.

Blake Howard, 3B/RHP, Hamilton HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 5-foot-11, 210 pounds with a thick, solid build and a stronger lower half. From the left side of the plate he has a wide stance with a slightly uphill bat path. During batting practice he displayed the ability to make hard contact and had several line drives into the gaps when he squared the ball up. As he learns to stay back and fully utilize his lower half, he will have more consistency driving the ball. In the field at third base he showed the ability to range to his left and right with accuracy on his throws to the bag.

Brent Howard, C/RHP, Hamilton HS, FL (2021)
Stands at 5-foot-6, 145 pounds with a solid build. At the the plate has a slightly open stance from the left side where he showed some pull side pop when he was able to keep his weight on has back foot and stay balanced. Registered an exit velocity of 71 mph in the cage. In the field he displayed the ability to make the plays including ranging to his backhand. Throws had some accuracy to them, topped out at 62 mph across the diamond.

Dante Jensen, 3B/RHP, TBD, FL (2021)
Stands at 5-foot-10, 130 pounds with a tall, lean build. At the plate has a very open stance with high hand set and a big leg kick. Showed a level plane where he was able to make contact using all of the plate. At times can be out in front, but made consistent contact during batting practice. Registered an exit velocity of 68 mph in the cage. While at third base he showed the ability to field the ball out in front and topped out at 64 mph across the diamond.

John Lambeta, 3B/SS, Sunlake HS, FL (2020)
Stand at 6-foot, 175 pounds with a strong, athletic build. Slightly open stance with balance in the box. Has a short, quick swing with a step for his load as he made consistent contact during batting practice where he showed the ability to drive the ball into the gaps and use all of the field. Also had a line drive single into the right/center field gap during gameplay. In the field makes the plays, shows athletic actions, and range by moving to his right and left freely.

Devin Perez, 1B/LHP, Jesuit HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 6-foot, 140 pounds with a lean, long-limbed frame. At first base he showed a good setup and fielded the ball under control while moving on and off the bag. Throws to second and third base were accurate as he showed a good ability to move to his left and right. Aggressive approach at the plate from the left side where he had a higher hand set with a short, quick swing with a slightly uphill path. Made consistent, hard contact during batting practice where he showed some pull side pop along with some gap to gap potential. His power at the plate will continue to improve as he adds to his frame.

Donnie Perez, OF/3B, Jesuit HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 5-foot-11, 147 pounds with a lean, athletic build. In the outfield he showed athletic actions and the ability to go get the ball, track it down. Throws to the bag were accurate. At the plate is slightly open with good balance and minimal movement. Shows a level path through the zone with quick hands and the ability to make consistent contact while using all of the plate. During gameplay he had a single to right field on a ball on the outside part of the plate. Runs the bases aggressively.

Hunter Szewczyk, OF/3B, Venice HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 5-foot-8, 160 pounds with a solid athletic build along with strong hands and forearms. At the plate has a very open stance and a short, quick swing with an uphill path through the zone. When he sits back on the ball he demonstrated the ability to drive the ball with some authority and showed pull side pop. Doubled into the right/center field gap during gameplay. In the outfield takes good routes to the ball and is aggressive coming in on it. Throws were accurate and and had carry as he topped out at 78 mph.

Zachary Thomas, SS/2B, Bishop Verot HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds with a lean athletic build. In the field displays smooth actions, a quick first step, and showing the ability to range both forehand and backhand. Throws to the bag were accurate and on line. Has a confident approach at the plate with a slightly open stance and a higher hand set. With a quick bat and the ability to use all of the plate, he showed a gap to gap approach as he has line drives all over the field during batting practice. His overall game will only continue to improve with added strength and maturity.

Hal Turner, OF/RHP, Charlotte HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds with a strong, solid, athletic build and a good lower half. At the plate he has a lower hand set, bends his knees, and stays balanced in the box with minimal movement. With an aggressive approach, he makes hard contact and displayed the ability to drive the ball with authority. In the outfield he showed the ability to take routes, come in the ball with momentum on his throws into home. As Turner continues to add to his frame, look for his ability to drive the ball to continue to improve.

Hunter Wilder, OF/1B, Port Charlotte HS, FL (2019)
Stands at 5-foot-10, 140 pounds with a projectable, athletic build. Stood out in the outfield where he showed advanced actions and the ability to track the ball. Took good routes, showed range, and fielded the ball out in front. Showed the ability to get behind the ball with momentum on his throws into home that were accurate and topped out at 71 mph. At the plate from the left side has a wide setup and starts his load before the pitch is thrown. When he is on time and in rhythm with his swing, he showed the ability to use all of the plate with some gap to gap potential. As he logs more at-bats and becomes more fluid with his swing, his consistency on squaring the ball up will continue to improve. Good follow with a frame to build on with an understanding of how to play the outfield position.

Malik Young, SS/RHP, Jesuit HS, FL (2020)
Stands at 5-foot-10, 155 pounds with a lean, athletic, projectable frame. In the field he shows good actions, fields the ball under control, and shows good lateral movement going to his right and left. Made a couple of tough plays including a diving stop to his left which he then got up quickly and made an accurate throw to the bag. At the plate has a wide stance with good balance and a small step for his load. Displays quick hands and good hand eye coordination as he was able to make consistent contact during batting practice, showing the ability to go the other way with multiple line drives into right field. Young will only continue to improve as he adds to his frame and matures.