Updated and Expanded Florida Class Of 2018 Rankings Released
September 20, 2017
By Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout
With the summer season in the rear view and the fall season beginning, it’s time to make an update to the Florida Class of 2018 Rankings. This update not only features an expansion to 175 players, but some shuffling in the top five, which had OF Elijah Cabell (TNXL Academy, FL) move into the fifth spot.
This class not only features plenty of high-end draft talent that will be watched closely over the next several months, but depth as well with 90 of the first 100 players ranked having committed to play at the Division I level.
Below are individual breakdowns on each player in the top five that includes reports and video followed by a look at the top 10:
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Mason Denaburg C / RHP / Merritt Island, FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:1 POS:1 Overall Rank:2 POS:1
Florida recruit. The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder has a long, athletic body. At the plate, he stands tall and with a medium leg kick trigger and stays balanced through the swing. He shows easy pull side power has an extremely short, quick swing with a feel for the barrel and big power potential. Behind the plate, the athleticism is on display with good flexibility in his setup and soft but strong hands allow him to receive very well. There is a lot of potential defensively, as he can really control his body. In the outfield, he moves well and shows off an easy, quick arm with carry. Every throw he makes looks effortless and it jumps out of his hand. On the mound he pitches from a 3/4 slot with a lot of life on the fastball that sits 92-96 mph, touching 97. Also shows a 71-73 mph slider with quality shape and the potential to be an above average pitch. The changeup sits at 81-83 mph with late fading action. He is an all-around athlete with a high ceiling. |
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Slade Cecconi RHP / Trinity Prep, FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:2 POS:1 Overall Rank:3 POS:1
Miami recruit. Stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds with long legs and athleticism on a projectable frame with broad shoulders. Has a simple, fluid delivery throwing out of the high-3/4 slot with a loose, quick arm. Repeats well, with a clean foot strike in line and gets quality extension. Fastball sits 91-96 mph with life, touching 97. Also features a 78-80 mph slider that shows depth and tight spin, throwing it for strikes. |
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Nander De Sedas SS / 2B / Montverde Academy, FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:3 POS:1 Overall Rank:6 POS:1
Florida State recruit. Stands at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds with a strong, athletic frame and physical lower half. Stands out defensively with plus defensive actions and soft hands. He has plenty of range with an average arm and quick release. There is a lot of athleticism in his actions, but his overall feel for the position is very apparent. Offensively, the switch-hitter makes hard, solid contact to all parts of the field. He has an advanced approach and stays balanced with a short, level swing. He works gap to gap, but there is plenty of bat speed and strength in the lower half to project above average power. Nander is an overall well rounded and athletic shortstop with a lot of present tools and big potential. |
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Triston Casas 1B / RHP / American Heritage, FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:4 POS:1 Overall Rank:5 POS:1
Miami recruit. Physical, athletic build with a strong lower half standing at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds on a large frame. One of the top power hitting prospects in the country. Stays balanced throughout his swing and his hands stay inside the ball well with an uphill path through the zone. Plus bat speed and plus power. Confident hitter that consistently finds the barrel and makes hard, loud contact. Ball jumps off the bat with the ability to drive the ball deep into the gaps or over the wall. Casas has an advanced approach and above average bat to ball skills. He is a first baseman only, but the power potential keeps him near the top of the country. |
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Elijah Cabell OF / RHP / TNXL Academy, FL / 2018Rankings State Rank:5 POS:1 Overall Rank:18 POS:4
LSU recruit. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder is very athletic with a strong lower half. At the plate he stays in rhythm and on time throughout his swing with an advanced approach and drives the ball into both gaps with power. He has plus bat speed and a feel for the barrel, consistently hitting the ball hard. From the outfield he has a quick first step, range, and takes good routes to the ball. Throws are on line with carry. Shows instincts and runs the bases aggressively. |
Here's a look at how the Top 10 stacks up:
RANK | NAME | STATE | SCHOOL | CLASS | POS | COMMITMENT |
1 | Mason Denaburg | FL | Merritt Island | 2018 | C | Florida |
2 | Slade Cecconi | FL | Trinity Prep | 2018 | RHP | Miami |
3 | Nander De Sedas | FL | Montverde Academy | 2018 | SS | Florida State |
4 | Triston Casas | FL | American Heritage | 2018 | 1B | Miami |
5 | Elijah Cabell | FL | TNXL Academy | 2018 | OF | Louisiana State |
6 | Carter Stewart | FL | Eau Gallie | 2018 | RHP | Mississippi State |
7 | Xavier Edwards | FL | North Broward Prep | 2018 | SS | Vanderbilt |
8 | Brandon Howlett | FL | George W. Jenkins | 2018 | 3B | Florida State |
9 | Connor Scott | FL | Plant | 2018 | OF | Florida |
10 | Lyon Richardson | FL | Jensen Beach | 2018 | RHP | Florida |
For a complete look at the updated and expanded Florida Class of 2018 Rankings, CLICK HERE
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