* PLEASE NOTE:  Players that are written up on the scouting blog were identified by our scouting staff based on the demonstration of notable tool(s) or skill(s).  While we do not keep stats, we are watching for standout performers on the mound, at the plate, in the field and on the bases. 

** Scouting blog last updated Monday, July 8, 2013 @ 3:22:23 PM Eastern Time

** ONLY 2014 GRADS AND YOUNGER ARE CONSIDERED FOR SCOUTING BLOG PURPOSES ** 

Baseline Baseball

#8 Willie Padron - OF | R/R | 2015 | Miami, FL
7/2/13 - Athletic, plus power, balanced, good plate presence, strong, solid pre-pitch, nice range, good arm, plus runner, aggressive player on both sides

#20 Albert Rafael - C | R/R | 2014 | Miami, FL
7/2/13 - Stocky, gap power, uses the whole field, quick hands, strong arm behind the dish, 1.98 pop time, receives well

Black Mambas

#41 Allan Samuel - RHP | 6/190 | R/R | 2014 | John A. Ferguson HS | Miami, FL
7/2/13 - Athletic, 78-81mph with arm side run, late life, hides ball well, throws all 3 pitches for strikes, gets ground balls

#3 Kevin Torres - 3B | 6/185 | R/R | 2014 | John A. Ferguson HS | Miami, FL
7/2/13 - Athletic, patient at the plate, works hard, fights off pitches, uses the whole field

#30 Kristian Cartelle – 1B | 6’0/185 | R/R | 2015 | John A. Ferguson HS | Miami, FL
7/3/13 – Tall, athletic, well-built.  Solid contact, short to the ball.  Drives the ball up the middle with power.  Good footwork around first base.  Soft hands.  4.5 home-to-first.  Aggressive baserunner with good jumps.
 
#40 Kevin Cifuentes – OF | 6’0/180 | R/R | 2014 | John A. Ferguson HS | Miami, FL
7/3/13 – Athletic, solid frame.  Good line drive/power stroke.  Battles at the plate and drives ball up the middle.  Short to the ball and aggressive.  Good range and closing speed on fly balls.  4.2 home-to-first.  Very aggressive ballplayer with good jumps on the bases.

Boynton Post 164

#19 Anthony Nichois – OF | 5’9/173 | R/R | 2015 | Santaluces HS | Lake Worth, FL
7/3/13 – Broad frame.  Drives ball to all fields.  Good hands to the ball and hard contact.  Consistent gap-to-gap power.  Good body language and plays hard.  Good hustle out of the box.

Dallas Titans 18

#21 Will Menta – 1B | 6’2/195 | R/R | 2014 | Denison HS | Denison, TX
7/3/13 – Tall, solid frame.  Gap-to-gap approach at the plate with good balance and rotation.  Moves well around the bag with loose, quick arm action.  Sure hands and fields position well.  Good body language and athleticism.

East Cobb Prospects

#22 Austin Pharr - SS | 6'0/170 | L/R | 2015 | Cherokee HS | Waleska, GA

7/1/13 - Tall, athletic build.  Drives opposite field well.  Lets the ball travel and get deep.  Good plate discipline and quick hands with a solid approach.  Excellent contact.  Soft hands in the field with a quick transfer on double plays.  Strong throwing arm.  Plus speed and great baserunner.

#8 Dalton Delay - SS | 5'11/165 | R/R | 2014 | Woodstock HS | Woodstock, GA

7/1/13 - Athletic, solid frame with room to grow.  Good gap-to-gap power.  Solid contact and keeps his hands back.  Aggressive hitter that knows the zone.  Good range on glove side.  Strong arm and quick transfer on double plays.  Good speed and baserunning ability.

#32 Thomas Waterbor - C | 6'2/220 | R/R | 2014 | Cherokee HS | Canton, GA
7/2/13 - Big, strong body, balanced and comfortable in the box, quick, short stroke, plus power, good rhythm, 1B at next level

#23 Benjamin Banas - OF | 6/173 | R/R | 2014 | Cherokee HS | Canton, GA
7/2/13 - Athletic build, level bat path, short and quick to the ball, balanced in the box, excellent reads, nice range, plus runner

#1 Harley Hunt - 3B | 6/175 | R/R | 2014 | Veterans HS | Perry, GA
7/2/13 - Strong, athletic, level bat path, quick, barrels the ball hard, still head and quiet in the box, well balanced, hustles

#12 Sheridan Coy – OF | 5’10/165 | R/R | 2014 | Hardaway HS | Columbus, GA
7/3/13 – Good bat speed and quick hands.  Uses lower half well.  Nice overall swing.  Fast (4.5 home to first).  Great reactions on bases.  High energy, plays hard, and hustles.
 
#4 Grant Perry – OF | 5’10/170 | R/R | 2014 | Peach County HS | Byron, GA
7/3/13 – Very athletic player.  Line drive/gap-to-gap hitter.  Good rhythm and balance at the plate.  Good arm strength defensively.  Runs well on the bases.  High energy.  Very versatile and hustles constantly.
 
Fielder's Choice 18

#4 Michael Rodriguez – 2B | 5’10/155 | R/R | 2014 | Florida Christian HS | Miami, FL
7/1/13 – Athletic.  Pull side power.  Works counts, knows the strike zone

#8 Christopher Gandara – OF | 5’9/180 | R/R| 2014 | Florida Christian HS | Miami, FL
7/1/13 – Short, athletic.  Drives ball to all parts of the field.  Plus speed on the bases.

#30 Alex Valvere – RHP
7/1/13 – Lean.  FB 83-85 with an arm side run.  Slider 66-71 with sharp movement.  Keeps ball down.

#5 Mathew Quiatti - C | 5'9/155 | R/R | 2015 | Florida Christian HS | Miami, FL
7/2/13 - Stocky, simple setup, line drive path, good balance, patience, good feel behind the plate, controls tempo, leads defense, soft hands, good body control to block

#15 Alejandro Nodrase - LHP | 5'9/155 | L/L | 2015 | Florida Christian HS | Coral Gables, FL
7/2/13 - Long limbs, 79-82mph, pitches to contact, down in the zone, changes speeds, good tempo and body language

Florida Heat 18

#34 Blayne Baker – RHP | 6’1/195 | R/R | 2014 | Zion Lutheran HS | Coral Springs, FL
7/1/13 – FB 80-81, topping out at 83.  Curveball 63-65 with 11/5 break.  Throws curveball for strike consistently.  Pounds the strike zone and locates all pitches well.  Keeps ball down.  Works on a good downward slope and same arm action on all pitches.

#21 Joseph Libio – SS | 5’11/165| R/R | 2014 | Taravella HS |Coral Springs, FL
7/1/13 – Tall, athletic with room to grow.  Good gap-to-gap power.  Solid approaches at the plate.  Barrel to the ball consistently with solid contact.  Good plate discipline.  Very smooth hands in the field with a good transfer.  Good range to glove side.  Strong arm.

#35 Alex Emsteine – RHP | 6’3/215 | R/R | 2014 | Zion Lutheran HS | Coral Springs, FL
7/3/13 – Tall, thick, stocky build.  FB 82-84.  Curveball 73 with 11/5 break.  Average athleticism and mound presence.
 
#19 Eric Hepple – 1B/RHP | 6’1/200 | R/R | 2014 | Coral Springs Christian Academy | Coral Springs, FL
7/3/13 – Thick body.  FB 84-87.  Good rhythm and direction to the plate.  Athletic finish.  Fields position well and has good mound presence.  Good pitchability.  Solid two-way player.

Frestwater Storm Red

#7 Brady Van Hook - 2B | L/R | 2014 | Port Orange, FL

7/1/13 - Good, solid frame and strong build; well-developed.  Stays back and lets the ball travel at the plate.  Good line drive stroke to both gaps.  Quick hands through the zone and good plate discipline.  Battles at plate with a good approach.  Good range in the field.  Backs up the play at first base.  Gets rid of the ball quickly.  Hard-nosed player.

JMBC Sentinels 18

#10 Kirby Osborne - RHP | R/R | 2016
7/2/13 - Tall, thin, 78-80mph, good arm side run, curve ball has good depth with 12/6 break, throws downhill, throws off-speed for strikes, big upside

Mercer County

#9 Chris Crowley-Goodman - OF | 6/180 | R/R | 2014 | Mercer County HS | Harrodsburg, KY
7/2/13 - Solid frame, good athlete, good contact, excellent instincts, plus speed, covers a lot of ground, excellent first step

#25 Curry Brown – C | 5’11/215 | R/R | 2014 | Mercer County Senior HS | Harrodsburg, KY
7/3/13 – Strong build.  Keeps hands and weight back at plate.  Pull side power.  Consistent hard contact and drives ball up the middle.  Sits back on off-speed with a short compact stroke.  Good receiver and blocker behind the plate (2.2 pop).
 
#10 Jake Long – 1B | 6’1/205 | R/R | 2014 | Mercer County Senior HS | Harrodsburg, KY
7/3/13 – Well-developed and strong.  Good pull side power and a short compact stroke.  Consistent barrel on the ball and a good basic approach.  Very disciplined hitter that battles at the plate.  Good footwork around first base.  Good range and soft hands on balls in the dirt.  Runs 4.6 home-to-first with a turn.
 
Miami Sharks 18

#69 Kevin Duluc - OF | 2014 |
7/2/13 - Strong, physical, athletic, contact hitter, quick compact swing, hits ball with power, hustles and aggressive on the field, tracks ball well, strong accurate arm

#25 Jonathan Bermubez - RHP
7/2/13 - Big strong body, FB: 79-84mph, good movement, has command of both pitches, strike thrower
7/2/13 - Nice swing path, clutch contact hitter, fields position well, athletic actions, strong accurate arm

Mizuno Edge

#7 Randy Moss – RHP | 5’9/170 | R/R | 2014 | Wellington HS | Boca Raton, FL
7/1/13 – FB 84-86.  Good curveball and effective changeup.  Works fast and around the zone consistently.  Arm action on off-speed is excellent.  Very aggressive and challenges hitters.

#22 Eddie Angelbello - 3B | 6'3/170 | L/R | 2015 | St. Thomas Aquinas HS | Ft. Lauderdale, FL
7/2/13 - Tall, lanky, great build, quick hands, short swing, balanced, excellent plate presence, uses the whole field, strong footwork, good athlete, ton of upside

Mizuno Houston

#2 Matt Jacquinot – RHP | 6’0/185 | R/R | 2014 | Splendora HS | Splendora, TX
7/1/13 – FB 84-85 consistently around the plate.  Good bite on curveball.  Changeup 75-76 with good arm action.  Worked in and out and changes speeds well.  Quick to the plate with runners on.  High energy player.

#11 Tyler Irvine - C | 5'9/180 | R/R | 2014 | John Pope HS | Houston, TX
7/2/13 - Thick, stocky, quiet and balanced at the plate, short stroke, uses the whole field, quick release, receives well, good on pop ups, takes charge of game, leads by hustle,

#22 Michael Maul - LHP | 6'2/205 | L/L | 2014 | Cypress Falls HS | Houston, TX
7/2/13 - FB: 79-81mph, cut action, good depth, good sink on change up, good tempo, showed command of three pitches
7/3/13 – Pull hitter with power to both gaps.  Smooth barrel through zone.  Patient, knows the zone.  Well-balanced stance with smooth load.  Good footwork around the bag.

#15 Mitch Thompson – OF | 5’7/155 | R/R | 2014 | Cypress Falls HS | Houston, TX
7/3/13 – Short, solid swing with a balanced stance.  Good plate discipline.  Sure hands and great reads on the ball in the field.  Reacts quickly.  Hustles out every hit.
 
#16 Cory Matise – OF/RHP | 6’0/180 | R/R | 2014 | Cypress Falls HS | Houston, TX
7/3/13 – Solid contact hitter with a good approach.  Quick hands and sprays the gaps.  Disciplined and well-balanced at the plate.  Good reads on the ball in the OF.  Takes good angles.
FB 86-88, topped at 91 with heavy sail.  Nice, easy motion.  Changeup 77-79 with good drop.

Naturals 18

#9 William Whitlock – RHP | 6’4/180 | R/R | 2014 | Gainesville HS | Gainesville, FL
7/3/13 – Tall, lanky.  FB 82-84.  Throws curveball for strikes.  Pitches on a downhill plane.  Releases ball out front on top of the batter.  Nice job of holding runners.  Works fast and is consistently around the plate.  Good arm side run.

#15 Hunter Cribbs – 3B | 6’0/190 | R/R | 2014 | Palatka HS | Satsuma, FL
7/3/13 – Solid 3B with quick first step.  Makes the plays.  Can bunt for base hit.  Good balance and rhythm at the plate with good barrel accuracy.  Runs well for a big body. Savvy player that plays hard.

#42 Kameron Butler - OF | 5'11/155 | R/L | 2014 | Trinity Catholic HS | Ocala, FL
7/5/13 - Athletic, strong, nice routes in the outfield, good range, strong arm, great speed on the bases, Mike Cameron comp

Orlando Reds

#18 Mark Watson - 3B | 6-4/180 | R/R | 2014 | Timber Creek HS | Orlando, FL
7/4/13 - Athletic frame with long limbs and high waist. Quick hands to hit, short and compact stroke. Balanced and simple, repeatable stroke. Line drive, gap to gap type hitter. Solid defensive actions and arm strength at 3B.

Palm Beach Shockers 17

#7 Ryan Johnson – 1B | R/R | 2014 | Kings Academy
7/3/13 – Tall body with room to fill out.  Goes opposite field well.  Hard contact and short to the ball.  Hits the ball where it’s pitched.  Battles at the plate, fights off borderline pitches.  Patient hitter with good discipline and simple-minded approach.  Good footwork and positioning at 1st.  Good range.  A big target at 1st base.

Players Edge 18

#3 Marco Capo – SS | 6’0/165 | R/R | 2014 | West Boca HS | Boca Raton, FL
7/1/13 – Good build.  Tall, lanky with room to grow.  Quick hands with good solid contact.  Ball carries off the bat.  Good plate discipline and stays back on off-speed.  Smooth hands in the field with good transfer and a strong arm.

#26 Brennan Bosworth – RHP | 6’6/230 | L/R | 2014 | Monarch HS | Boca Raton, FL
7/1/13 – Tall, big frame, and athletic.  Heavy FB 82-83, topping out at 85, locates it well.  Arm side run and sink.  Curveball 70 with 11/5 break; controls the pitch well.  Changeup 73-75 with good drop.  Works in and out, stays low in the zone.  Hides the ball well.  Quick from the stretch.

Pro Hitting Prospects

#17 George Curbelo - 1B | 6/180 | R/R | 2015 | Miami Coral Park HS | Miami, FL
7/2/13 - Broad shoulders, athletic, runs well, good instincts, uses the whole field, quick hands, balanced at the plate, moves well around the bag, good pre-pitch, excellent hands on picks, hustles

#24 Christian Manzano - OF | 5'10/175 | R/R | 2014 | Miami Coral Park HS | Miami, FL
7/2/13 - Long legs, gap power, nice barrel accuracy, aggressive at the plate and on the bases, above average speed, active in the OF, ready on pre-pitch, strong arm

#16 Danny Lopez - C | 5'9/175 | R/R | 2014 | Miami Coral Park HS | Miami, FL
7/2/13 - Strong built, quiet, easy and balanced at the plate, level bat path, blocks well, good receiver, strong arm, short quick release, hard worker

Pro Hitting Prospects

#18 Kevin Diaz – RHP | 6’3/200 | R/R | 2014 | Gold Park HS | Miami, FL
7/3/13 – Big body.  FB 82-84 with good arm side run.  11/5 curveball at 67-68.  Good mound presence.  Throws strikes and works fast.

Rawlings Renegades

#5 Jeremiah Wilson - C | 6'2/185 | L/R | 2015 | Matanzas HS | Palm Coast, FL
7/2/13 - Tall, long legs, athletic, good rhythm, balanced, short quick swing, line drive hitter

#23 Justin Franklin - 1B | 6'2/180 | L/L | 2014 | University HS | Debary, FL
7/2/13 - Tall, slender build, barrel stays in the zone, quick and short to the ball, level bat path, moves around the bag well, presents well

#11 Charles Tuccia – SS | 5’10/165 | L/R | 2014 | Flagler Palm Coast HS | Bunnell, FL
7/3/13 – Sweet fielding SS with good range and hands.  Quick release and good arm strength.  Short swing and quick hands with the bat.  Good barrel accuracy.  Runs bases well and gets good jumps.  High energy and plays hard.
 
#8 Tyler Walls – OF | 6’1/175 | S/R | 2014 | Matanzs HS | Palm Coast, FL
7/3/13 – Athletic OF.  Ran nice routes to the ball with sure hands.  Good barrel accuracy and quick hands at the plate.  Good rhythm and balance.  Good zone judgment.  Accurate/above average arm.

South Florida Huskies 17 Carolina

#9 Michael Gigliotti - OF | 6/165 | L/L | 2014 | Archbishop McCarthy HS | Plantation, FL
7/2/13 - Slender, very athletic, contact hitter, good baseball instincts, poised at the plate, showed good range, good angles, accurate arm with carry

#12 Carrington Boniske - SS | 6'2/170 | R/R | 2014 | Archbishop McCarthy HS | Davie, FL
7/2/13 - Good approach at the plate, hits the ball hard with pop, showed quick feet and soft hands, good range

South Florida Huskies 17 Navy

#17 Colin Taylor - RHP | R/R | 2014 | Coral Springs, FL
7/2/13 - Long legs, FB: 80-82mph with arm side run, 10/4 break on curveball, arm side on change up, works quick, good tempo, easy actions

#19 Brynn Martinez – SS | S/R | 2014 | Southwest Ranches, FL
7/3/13 – Athletic, high energy player.  Pull hitter from the right side.  Hits ball where it is pitched from the left.  Waits back with solid contact.  Drives the ball from the left side.  Tough out at the plate, a disciplined hitter with a good approach.  Excellent range in the field with good arm strength.  Aggressive baserunner.
 
#3 Kyle Jower – OF | R/R | 2014 | Tallahassee, FL
7/3/13 – Stays back at the plate.  Quick hands, short to the ball.  Inside-out swing and drives the ball to opposite field.  Battles at plate.  Hustles on and off the field.  4.4 home-to-first.  Scrappy player.
 
#6 Jonathon Benestad – C | R/R | 2015 | Coconut Creek, FL
7/3/13 – Strong, athletic build.  Solid contact with good line drive power to the gaps.  Smooth swing, stays back and drives the ball.  Patient hitter with a well-balanced stance and load.  Solid defensive catcher (2.0-2.1 pop).  Good receiver and blocker.  4.5 home-to-first with a turn.  Aggressive baserunner.

South Florida Storm 18

#8 Marcus Bobb – 2B/SS | 5’7/150 | R/R | 2014 | Frostproof HS | Lake Wales, FL

7/1/13 – Small, strong frame.  Solid contact-line drive hitter.  Simple approach and consistent through the zone.  Soft hands in the field.  Takes good angles.  Quick release and good footwork towards first base.  Excellent instincts.

#6 Brandon Keithley – RHP | 6’1/200 | R/R | 2014 | Jupiter HS | Jupiter, FL
7/1/13 – Broad, thick frame.  FB 84-86 with arm side run.  ¾ arm slot with good tempo, loose delivery, and mound presence.

#2 Jonathan Carratala – OF/3B | 5’10/180 | R/R | 2014 | City of Hialeah Education HS | Miami, FL
7/3/13 – Athletic body, well-built.  Contact hitter with good line drive stroke.  Good approach, drives ball where pitched.  Lets the ball travel.  Good closing speed and range in CF.  Good routes.  Cuts the ball off and gets it in quickly.  Very quick reactions at 3B as well.  Strong arm across the diamond.

South Florida Blue

#1 Anthony DiFabio – 3B/1B | 6’2/215 | R/R | 2014 | Western HS | Plantation, FL
7/3/13 – Big, tall, solid frame.  Good lower half rotation with gap-to-gap power.  Moves well around the bags for size and good footwork at position.

Tampa Empire 18

#5 Tyler Wood - C | 5'10/175 | R/R | 2015 | Wiregrass Ranch HS | Tampa, FL
7/2/13 - Solid catch and throw, active feet, blocks everything, high energy, tough kid, handles himself well, fingers around the ball, well balanced at the plate, rhythm, good bat path, good bat speed

TAP 18

#6 Derick Garcia | 3B | 6/170 | R/R | 2014 | Pines Charter HS | Pembroke Pines, FL
7/2/13 - Strong, athletic, thick lower half, balanced setup with good rhythm, nice presence at the plate, good bat speed and level bat path, smooth fielder, active feet, good feel, solid arm

The Naturals

#11 Holden Huggins - OF | 6/170 | R/R | 2014 | Keystone Heights HS | Keystone Heights, FL
7/2/13 - Athletic, quick hands, short to the ball, line drive hitter, covers ground in the gap, accurate arm, good speed

#42 Kameron Butler - OF | 5'11/155 | R/L | 2014 | Trinity Catholic HS | Ocala, FL
7/2/13 - Balanced and quiet in the box, stays back on off-speed, knowledge of the zone, oppo approach, plus arm with good carry, excellent jumps and range, plus speed

White Rock Tritons

#35 Dylan Yeager – OF/C | 6’0/170 | L/R | 2014 | Earl Marriott Secondary HS | Surrey, BC
7/1/13 – Average, solid.  Good frame, will grow into.  Good hands and plate coverage, flat bat with gap-to-gap power.  Lively arm.  Excellent body language and energy.

#2 Daniel Cassino - 2B | 5'10/160 | L/R | 2014 | Earl Marriott HS | Surrey, BC
7/2/13 - Showed good power, very poised and confident at the plate, fields and throws from position well, fluid and agile actions, plus upside on both sides of the field

#46 Liam Rihela - SS | 5'10/165 | L/R | 2014 | Earl Marriott HS | Surrey, BC
7/2/13 - Contact hitter, balanced at the plate, has a good approach, quick hands and feet, fields and throws well, soft hands, has good feel for the game

#26 Tom Melenchuck - 1B | 6'1/180 | R/R | 2015 | Earl Marriott HS | Surrey, BC
7/2/13 - Good athletic build, showed pullside power, balanced approach at the plate, soft hands, good footwork around the bag, solid arm