By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

Tallahassee, FL- On August 26th one of the top organizations in north Florida, Next Level Baseball, held their National Showcase for players from the 2018-2021 classes. Players participated in a pro-style workout which featured the 60 yard dash, infield/outfield, and batting practice on the field. Following the pro-style workout, pitchers threw to batters in a simulated game format.

Below is a breakdown on the players from the 2019/2020 classes in attendance who added PBR Upgrade:

Bo Bonds RHP / C / Suwannee, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:52 POS:16 Overall Rank:256 POS:88 Uncommitted. Stands at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds with an athletic, compact build. At the plate he showed quick hands and consistently squared the ball up with multiple line drives all over the field along with some pull-side pop. Good hand-eye coordination and looks to drive the ball with an aggressive approach. Behind the plate he receives well and showcased a strong and accurate arm on his throws down to second topping out at 84 mph. On the mound he has a strong front side and lands in line throwing from a high ¾ slot. The fastball ranges from 89-91 mph, touching 92 along with an 82-83 mph change up with some fade and a 78-79 mph slider. The athleticism and versatility makes him one of the top uncommitted follows for his class.

 

 

Shane Skibba OF / RHP / Mosley , FL / 2019 Uncommitted. Stands at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds with a tall, projectable frame and long legs. Plenty of room to fill out. His athleticism showed early on by clocking in at 6.91 seconds for his 60 yard dash time. From the outfield he took good routes to ball and fielded it under control with his throws topping out at 80 mph with carry. Throws to the bag were accurate. At the plate starts with a slightly open stance and creates leverage with his long limbs. At times his swing can get a little long, but when is more short and quick with his swing, he showed the ability to drive the ball. On the mound throws exclusively from the stretch where he showed an over the top arm action with some extension out in front on his follow through. At times can fall off to first base side on his landing. Fastball mostly sat 81-83 mph while mixing in a 62-65 mph curveball. As Skibba continues to fill out his frame, look for his overall game to make a jump.

 

 

Benjamin Gurley RHP / OF / Lawton Chiles, FL / 2019 Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with a lean, athletic build. At the plate has a slightly open stance with a small leg kick for his load. His quick hands and aggressive approach allowed him to make solid contact with multiple line drives to the left side. At times he can be out in front, but when he stays back on the ball he shows line drive potential. From the outfield he fielded the ball under control and out in front with his throws topping out at 74 mph from right field. On the mound has a simple delivery throwing out of the high ¾ slot. Displayed a fastball that sat in the 78-79 mph range along with a 66-69 mph curveball that showed good spin and depth which he threw for strikes.

 

 

Austin Childree OF / Bay, FL / 2019 Stands at 6-foot, 170 pounds with a strong, athletic build and a good lower half. From the outfield he takes aggressive routes to the ball and gets behind his throws. From right field his throws to the bag showed accuracy which topped out at 71 mph. Clocked in at 7.25 seconds for his 60 yard dash time. At the plate sets up from a wide stance and an uphill path through the zone. At times his swing can get a little long, but when he is more quick and direct to the ball he showed the ability to use all of the field.

 

 

Niko Santullo 2B / 3B / Apopka, FL / 2019 Stands at 5-foot-9, 140 pounds with a lean build and athleticism. In the infield he showed quick feet, actions, and the ability to field the ball under control and out in front. Ranged to his right and left freely with accuracy on his throws to the bag that topped out at 71 mph. Clocked in at 7.22 seconds for his 60 yard dash. At the plate he starts with an open stance and shows some quick twitch with a level path through though the zone. At times he can be out on his front foot, but when he stays back and lets the ball travel into his zone, he was able to make solid contact and drive the ball into the outfield.

 

 

Perry Benton RHP / 3B / Thomas County Central, GA / 2019 Currently stands at 6-foot-1, 160 pounds with a lean, projectable build. At the plate starts with a wide base with a small step for his load. Showed the ability to go the other way with the ball as he let it travel into his zone. At times can be out in front and once he starts to get better utilization out of his lower half, he should see more consistency in driving the ball into the outfield. In the infield there is some choppiness in his steps, but found a way to put himself in a position to field the ball out in front. Throws across the diamond topped out at 72 mph. Ran a 7.85 second 60 yard dash time. On the mound has a simple delivery with a big leg kick before his delivery. Showcased a fastball that sat 74-75 mph while mixing in a 60-62 mph curveball that showed some shape. Can fall off to the first base side on his follow through and should see a better command of the zone and he becomes more consistent with his landing.

 

 

Chad McCann C / 3B / Deane Bozeman, FL / 2019 Stands at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds with a strong, solid build and a good lower half. At the plate starts from a slightly open stance with strong wrists and hands. Creates solid contact and showed the ability to drive the ball with pull-side pop. When he stays short and direct to the ball it jumps off the bat. Behind the plate he received the ball cleanly and his throws down to the bag showed accuracy topping out at 74 mph. Pop times were in the 2.02-2.14 second range. In the infield he fielded the ball under control along with ranging backhand and forehand with his throws topping out across the diamond at 72 mph. Clocked in at 7.94 seconds for his 60 yard dash time.

 

 

Gregory Hemming OF / RHP / Apopka, FL / 2019 Stands at 5-foot-6, 140 pounds with a compact frame. At the plate starts with a wide base and a small step for his load. Displayed the ability to take the ball the other way with some batspeed. Gets some utilization out of his lower half and should see an improvement on his ability to drive the ball into the outfield by keeping his weight on his back foot. Ran a 7.63 second 60 yard dash time. From the outfield he surrounded the ball and fielded it out it front while topping out on his throws to the bag at 71 mph. On the mound he features a fastball that sits in the 75-76 mph range along with a 67-70 mph curveball that had some spin and depth to it. Hemming should see a jump in his velocity with more consistent landing and more use out of his lower half.

 

 

Brayden Gainey SS / RHP / Mosley, FL / 2019 Stands at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds with a solid, athletic build. At the plate he shows a balanced approach with a small leg kick for his load and good hand-eye coordination and a sound path through the zone. Makes consistent contact and looks to drive the ball which showed up during batting practice with multiple line drives. From shortstop he showed good actions along with range and the ability to make throws off balance and from different arm slots. Throws were accurate to the bag with carry and topped out at 84 mph. Ran a 7.28 second 60 yard dash time. On the mound has a simple delivery with a big leg kick and pause before his delivery with short, quick arm action. Threw strikes and featured a fastball that sat 79-82 mph along with a 68-69 mph curveball.

 

 

Kobe Hesters 2B / C / Pace, FL / 2020 Currently stands at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds with a solid, compact build. At the plate starts from an open stance with a simple approach. Showed a level path through the zone and made consistent contact during batting practice. At times can cut himself off, but when is more fluid through the zone he’s able to be more direct to the ball. Clocked in at 7.60 second for his 60 yard dash time. Fielded the ball cleanly and showed some range while at shortstop with his throws topping out at 61 mph across the diamond.

 

 

Kajetan Wilk RHP / 2B / South Walton, FL / 2019 Stands at 6-foot, 195 pounds with a strong, solid build. At the plate starts with an open stance and a big leg kick for his load. Showed some feel for the barrel and created hard contact on the ball with an uphill path through the zone which resulted in multiple line drives into the outfield. In the infield he fielded the ball with sure hands and out in front. Throws to the bag topped out at 76 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.82 second 60 yard dash time. Starts from the right side of the mound throwing from a sidearm slot that creates deception and timing issues for the batter. Featured a fastball with movement that sat 70-72 mph along with a 64-66 mph curveball with depth.

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