Top 10 Stories Countdown of the Year 2017: No. 5 Full Jupiter Recap: Florida Standouts
December 26, 2017
As we continue the countdown of the Top 10 Stories in 2017, the Full Jupiter Recap: Florida Standouts article comes in at the fifth spot.
In this article, over 25 standout players ranging from the 2018-2020 classes are highlighted through report and video by Scouting Director Doug Freeman. There are not only several players mentioned who appear in the PBR Draft 100, but high-end underclassmen as well.
Here is a re-post of that story that ran on Tuesday October 24th, 2017:
NO. 5 full jupiter recap: florida standouts
Tue October 24, 2017
By Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director
JUPITER, FL— After four long days of watching some of the best high school players in not only the 2018 class, but also some high end underclassmen, we’re taking a look back at the Jupiter 2017. With what seemed like at least one Florida player on 75 percent of the teams in attendance, there was plenty to cover alongside National Supervisor Nathan Rode, National Crosschecker Shooter Hunt, and Executive Director Sean Duncan.
To take a look back at the complete Jupiter coverage from each day, click HERE
Below are 29 standouts from throughout the tournament which are broken down by performance, report, video, or all three:
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Chase Costello RHP / Pompano Beach, FL / 2018The Louisiana State recruit, had a strong outing at the Florida Diamond Club Showcase last weekend, so he attracted a strong crowd of scouts for his start with the Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team. This outing wasn’t on par with last week, but his upside is still evident. He has an athletic, projectable frame and flashed some sink to his fastball at 87-90 mph. He shows a solid feel for a changeup at 79-81 mph and mixed in a slider that had tight break at times. It sat around 80 mph. He allowed an unearned run on four hits and three walks while striking out three.
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Jack Anderson RHP / Jesuit, FL / 2018The Florida State recruit sat 89-92 mph early, settling in at 89-90, with finish to his fastball. It comes out of his hand well and gets on hitters quickly, causing a lot of swings and misses. He also has a wipeout slider at 77-80 mph and flashed a breaking ball with more depth at 76 mph.
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Franco Aleman RHP / Alonso, FL / 2018The Florida International recruit, has a tall, long frame at 6-foot-6, 200 pounds and comes through a high-3/4 slot with a long arm action. His fastball has above-average arm-side life and ranges from 87-92 mph, sitting mostly 89-90. He also showed the ability to spin a curveball that was sharp at times at 75-77 mph. It flashed 11/5 shape and depth.
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Jonathan Gates LHP / OF / Nature Coast Technical, FL / 2018The Miami recruit toed the rubber for FTB/Giants Scout Team and struck out four while allowing two hits in two innings. He sat 89-91 mph from a 3/4 slot. He stuck to his fastball mostly, mixing in a low-80s changeup and breaking ball around 80 mph.
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Kerry Wright RHP / 3B / Oviedo, FL / 2018Allowed a hit and two walks while striking out three in two innings. He has a big, durable frame at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds. His fastball ranged from 87-93 mph, but was mostly 88-90. His slider was 78-80 mph and flashed depth.
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Brandon Howlett 3B / SS / George W. Jenkins, FL / 2018The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder looks stronger than he did last year, and his frame appears to have matured even more. In his first at-bat, Howlett sent a 90 mph fastball off the left field scoreboard for a home run. Howlett is gifted with advanced quickness in his hands, and his strong lower-half allows him the foundation with which to drive the ball. His final at-bat of the day was the most impressive as he fell behind early after fouling balls straight back, but worked his way to a 3-2 count, and proceeded to stroke and outside fastball for a line drive single to the opposite field.
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Pablo Garabitos OF / LHP / Lakewood Ranch, FL / 2018The South Florida recruit, was up to 88 mph for Team MVP from a near over the top arm slot. It was his secondary pitches, however, that separate him, some, from his peers as he shows advanced feel for both a 1/7 curveball (72-74) as well as a changeup. Garabitos’ curveball features tight spin and multi-tier break, and his changeup is thrown with fastball hand speed and has late-fading action.
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Kendall Williams RHP / 3B / IMG Academy, FL / 2019The Vanderbilt recruit, might have had the results that he may have wanted, but he did showcase a quick, strong right arm that allowed him to run his fastball up to 93 mph, and sit 91-93 early on. The tall, 6-foot-6, 185-pound right-hander releases out of a near over the top slot while creating a downward plane. His fastball featured some sink at times. Williams sparingly threw his curveball, but it showed tight spin at 74-75 while taking 11/5 shape. |
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Jordan Lala OF / Steinbrenner, FL / 2018The Miami recruit showcased a solid all-around game throughout the tournament. He bounces around in centerfield, and has the ability to go and get balls with his above average speed and sure hands. He takes crisp routes and is dependable to make plays. At the plate, the left-handed hitter has a quiet approach, and he looks for his pitch with strong strike zone awareness. His barrel lags in the zone after his quick hands work towards the ball, and he features a loose finish. Lala collected two hits on the day including a long double.
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Bryce Reagan 3B / SS / IMG, FL / 2018The Texas recruit didn’t have the results at the plate, but showed balance and quick hands from both sides. He did, however, make his presence felt on defense where he went deep in the hole at shortstop before firing a strike to first base while throwing against his body going towards the left field line. It was a fantastic play, and put the 6-foot-2, 190-pound, proportionally built infielder’s athleticism on full display for North East Baseball. |
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Chance Huff RHP / OF / Niceville, FL / 2018The 6-foot-4 Vanderbilt recruit came out of the pen to shut down the Reds Scout Team’s bats. Huff struck out five in three innings, working his fastball at 90-91 mph with a 74-77 mph breaking ball that had depth at times. |
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Cameron Gray OF / LHP / Marianna , FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:77 POS:17
Live-bodied left-handed hitting athlete who is committed to South Florida. Gray has a loose, balanced swing and generates easy bat speed with his hands. He collected a pair of hits in the game.
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Dylan Crews OF / C / Lake Mary, FL / 2020Rankings State Rank:3 POS:1 Overall Rank:19 POS:4
Crews has established himself as arguably the top right-handed hitter in the 2020 class. He further solidified his status Saturday when the 5-foot-11 LSU recruit effortlessly turned on a pair of 90-mph fastballs for sharply hit singles.
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Hunter Barco LHP / OF / Bolles, FL / 2019Rankings State Rank:3 POS:1 Overall Rank:6 POS:1
Coming out of a long 3/4 slot with slinger-like arm action, Barco effortlessly filled up the strike zone with 91-94 mph fastballs, all with arm-side run. The fact that he can command such movement, seemingly putting it where he wanted, is extremely rare at his age. Now mix in an 82-85 sweeping slider with sharp, late bite and a mid-80s changeup with fading action - all coming out of the same window and arm action - and hitters have little chance for success.
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Joseph Charles RHP / First Academy, FL / 2019Rankings State Rank:6 POS:2 Overall Rank:14 POS:6
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound North Carolina recruit struggled with strikes. His fastball ranged between 90-92 mph, peaking at 93.5, with a hard 80-82 mph curveball with downer action. In two innings, Charles allowed three hits, two runs, struck out three, walked two and hit two batters. He threw 39 percent strikes.
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Mitchell LeRoy RHP / 1B / Freedom, FL / 2019Came out of the pen for the Dodgers Scout Team/Team Citius and worked two scoreless innings during its 5-2 win over the Louisiana Knights. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder features long arms and a young build. His fastball topped at 89 mph, sitting in the 86-87 range, while also throwing an effective 74-75 mph slider for strikes. In two innings, he struck out three with one walk and no hits.
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Anthony Tomczak RHP / North Broward Prep, FL / 2019Has an athletic frame with a short, clean arm action. The fastball worked 86-87 mph with some late life and showed a 72 mph slider. Stetson recruit. |
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Reese Jackowiak LHP / OF / Venice, FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:172 POS:12
Has a loose whippy ¾ arm on a projectable frame. Fastball worked 83-86 mph with life as showed an above average slider at 71-74 with hard, late action. Polk State recruit.
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Connor Scott OF / LHP / Plant, FL / 2018On the mound showed command to both sides of the plate with an 89-90 mph and a hard slider at 77-78 mph in his inning of work. Florida recruit.
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Wyatt Beddow RHP / 3B / IMG Academy, FL / 2018Has a projectable frame and worked a fastball in the 89-91 mph range with tilt from a short, high ¾ arm slot. Along with a curveball at 74-76 with depth. Wake Forest recruit.
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Collin Camarigg RHP / Gulf Coast, FL / 2018Is a bit undersized and showed scattered command, but the arm was quick and the fastball had life at 87-89 mph and showed a short slider at 76 mph. |
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Evan Michelson RHP / 3B / Mandarin, FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:141 POS:39
Has made a nice jump. Shows above average feel for a curveball and changeup. The fastball has made a nice jump and worked 88-91, downhill with life. Uncommitted. |
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Jake Morrow OF / Providence, FL / 2018Athletic outfielder. He showed a short and level swing with a feel for the barrel. Uncommitted.
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Gerardo Rodriguez C / Coral Gables, FL / 2019Has a strong, stocky body. Has a short, level swing with power potential abs offensive upside. Hands work defensively with a chance to be a plus defender. Had a 1.95 pop time on a caught stealing. Virginia recruit. |
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Benjamin Specht RHP / Evangelical Christian, FL / 2018Athletic with a quick arm from a high 3/4 slot. Fastball worked 88-91, has some effort, but also life down in the zone. Also showed a slider with late action at 74 mph. Florida recruit.
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Marcos Pujols 1B / Florida Air Academy, FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:76 POS:1
Big bodied left handed hitter with a natural uphill swing with present pull side power. He has some swing and miss, but connected on one and drove it over the right field fence threw a cross wind. Florida International recruit. |
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Nick Durgin RHP / SS / Melbourne Central Catholic, FL / 2019Has a high waist and projectable frame. Mechanically sound and repeatable delivery. Fastball worked 84-86 touching 87 mph. He shows feel for the offspeed and projects well. Stetson recruit.
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Zach Young SS / RHP / Sebastian River, FL / 2018Has a long, projectable frame with a young face. He has a quick arm and the fastball worked 88-90 mph and should jump with strength. South Alabama recruit.
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Troy Britts RHP / SS / St. Johns Country Day, FL / 2018Has made a nice jump since the summer. He has a quick arm and the fastball worked 87-90 mph. Also showed a hard, downward slider at 74-77 mph. Uncommitted.
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