Top Prospect Games: Top 10 Standouts

By Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director

The Top Prospect Games has consistently proven to be one of the top events in the state, with 44 commitments from the last two events with 25 of those being Division I with one being a 7th round MLB Draft pick. This event puts players from the 2018-2020 classes against each other in a pro-style workout followed by a game. Below are the top 10 standouts from the July 26th at Jacksonville University.

Connor Aldrich SS / 3B / Trinity Christian Academy, FL / 2019

Rankings State Rank:110 POS:26

Listed at 5-foot-11, 165-pounds, he has broad shoulders and strong lower half and looks bigger and stronger than listed. The strength didn’t take away from the actions in the middle, as he made several nice, rangy plays. He most likely fills out and becomes a plus defending third baseman. Offensively, he tended to lose the strong lower half in batting practice. The hands worked well, short and quick to the ball, still consistently finding the barrel. He showed the ability to stay in his lower half more during the games and it translated to two hard hit singles. Present tools that play in game with plenty of room to project.

August Haymaker SS / 2B / Dr. Phillips, FL / 2018

Committing to NC State shortly following the event. Athletic frame, the 6-foot, 185-pound middle infielder showed quick twitch with a strong arm in the field. Had good range to balls in the hole hands worked well. Offensively, he had a smooth quiet swing with a minimal stride and keeping his head still. Hands were quick to the ball as he showed ability to go gap-to-gap. Occasionally will get steep to the ball and cut ball in half. Would see contact consistency improve with staying on plane with the pitch. Solid hitter but has a chance to make a jump with both contact and power.

Danny Neri C / OF / Bishop Snyder, FL / 2020

Rankings State Rank:47 POS:8

Young, 5-foot-11, 165-pound catcher has a projectable athletic build. Worked well behind the plate receiving by keeping his body quiet. Showed a strong arm in the showcase with a 2.1-2.2 pop time and in the game by nabbing a base stealer at third. Transfer was clean but would occasionally stand up to high. Could work on flexibility to become quick and more mobile behind the plate. Offensively the left handed hitting catcher swings with good intent. Occasionally steep to the ball. Has ability to use all fields as he laced a line drive single to left in his game.

Andrew Williamson RHP / Christ's Church Academy, FL / 2018

High-waist and long arms the 6-foot-4, 198-pound righty has the prototypical projectable pitcher's frame. He has a long arm swing and can get long behind him at times. When he is on time and gets quality extension, the ball jumps out of his hand from a high 3/4 slot. His fastball worked 87-88 mph with some late life and should make a jump in velocity in the future as he learns to consistently get extended and stay in his lower half down the mound. He also showed a feel for a curveball at 69-70 mph and a changeup at 75 mph. There is a lot to like in the actions of Williamson, with a lot to dream on as well. Should make some jumps in the future. High follow.

Christopher Vervoordt 1B / 3B / TNXL Academy, FL / 2018

Rankings State Rank:117 POS:6

The big 6-foot-4, 225-pound left handed hitting corner infielder has a strong, physical athletic frame. His hands and feet worked well with a strong arm across the diamond. At first base seemed to feel for his throws more instead of letting it go like he did at third. Showed good range by getting balls deep in the hole. Could work on footwork around the bag adjusting to throws. Offensively, the big lefty showcased strong, controlled violent swings with quick hands. Has the ability to use all fields with power potential. Occasionally steep to the ball. Showed adjustability by staying on a breaking ball in the game and lining it up the middle. Showed the ability to hit, leading all hitter with three hits during the game.

Travis Stapleton C / 3B / Real Life Christian Academy, FL / 2020

Rankings State Rank:37 POS:7

Stapleton has continued to improve each time we have seen him. He has a stocky, catcher’s build, with a strong lower half. Defensively, he has a quality setup and shows actions that project to be an above average defensive catcher in the future. His hands work, he could improve his hip mobility which would put him in better position receiving on a consistent basis. He has a strong arm and quick transfer which translated to the game with a caught stealing with a 2.14 pop time. Offensively, he stay loaded on the back side. He has some length at times, but when he is short to the ball he creates present gap-to-gap power with more to come. This translated to the game with a hard hit single.

Parker Smith OF / 1B / Timber Creek, FL / 2018

Strong frame. 6-foot-1, 205-pounds. Showed a good accurate arm from both the infield and the outfield. Footwork played as he approached the ball from each position with a quick first step in the outfield. Offensively, he showed an extremely aggressive pull-side approach. He generates above average bat speed and creates present pull side power. During the game, he worked counts well in the game and showed an aggressive controlled swing, with some present swing and miss. Already a strong kid but shows more power potential with consistent short swing and minimize the swing and miss.

Jared Dole RHP / 2B / Manatee, FL / 2018

Rankings State Rank:144 POS:40

The 5-foot-8, 150-pound RHP/2B has consistently shown the ability to perform in game play. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has a simple swing with quick hands through the zone. Although there is some steepness in the path, he still finds the barrel consistently. Shows some athleticism, running a 4.58 home to first time. Athletic action in the infield. Rangy and hands work well. On the mound, he constantly pound the zone. The fastball works 84-85 mph with some late life and arm side run. He also features an above average hard slider at 74-76 mph and proves to be a swing and miss pitch. Also showed a feel for a changeup at 70 mph. He competes in the zone and struck out two in two innings.

Luke Holland C / OF / Brandon, FL / 2018

Athletic build, 6-foot-2, 185-pounds. Strong kid with a good arm from behind the plate and touched 83 mph from the outfield. Showcased a 2.05-2.15 pop time with a clean, quick transfer. His footwork behind the plate played well as he was quick and stayed on line to his target. Offensively he started with a leg kick trigger and showed good bat speed. Has power potential as he becomes more consistent with his swing.

Trevor Candelaria OF / RHP / Montverde Academy, FL / 2018

Long, lean 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame. Wiry, strong kid with has a strong arm touching 91 mph from the outfield. Ball stayed low to the ground with good carry. Footwork and first step worked well in the field. Offensively, he had a strong flat swing while staying in the zone for a long time. Would occasionally get disconnected with his arms and hook balls foul. Showed pull side power with potential power to all fields by staying inside the ball.