By Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director

With the recent release of the updated Florida Class of 2019 rankings we take a look at some of the big risers in the class. Over the course of the summer and fall, many players have continued to improve their current skill set while still having a lot of room to continue to grow. Below we take a look at the top five biggest risers in the updated rankings:

Jud Fabian, OF, Trinity Catholic HS. (2019)
Rising from No. 11 to the No. 6 spot, the 6-foot 170-pound Florida recruit continued to impress throughout the summer and fall. He has a short, easy stroke and really has a feel for the barrel. He shows an advanced approach, taking smart at-bats and working the count, with above average bat speed and big power potential. He has long easy strides with a good gate and projects to be an above average runner with a plus bat. He also showed the ability to really track down the ball well. Has a chance to be a high end guy as he continues to grow.

Rece Hinds, SS, Niceville HS. (2019)
Moving up from No. 26 and into the Top 10 at the No. 9 spot, the high-waisted, athletic, 6-foot-3, 195-pounder shows quick feet and actions with range and the ability to charge the ball in the field. He has a plus arm topping out at 94 mph across the infield, but is more accurate to the bag at 89-91. At the plate, he is balanced with a slightly open stance, quick hands, and above average bat speed. He consistently makes hard, loud contact sending balls deep into the gaps along with showing some power potential. At times, he can cut himself off and be out in front, but when he is on time and in rhythm, the ball explodes off his bat. Hinds will continue to be one of the top follows for his class and has really only begun to scratch the surface of his big time potential.

Raymond LaFluer, OF/LHP, JM Tate HS. (2019)
Moving from just outside the top 50 to No. 18 is the uncommitted 6-foot-2, 175-pounder with a very high ceiling . The left handed hitter has everything scouts and coaches look for in potential power left handed bat and corner outfielder. He has a calm and confident setup with good rhythm. He has a simple load and stays on time. He sometimes hits off of a weak front side, but the bat stays in the zone a long time and the ball jumps off of the bat. As he continues to fill out and learns how to really use his lower half, there should be some plus power potential. On the mound he has a very easy and fluid motion with little to no effort in his delivery. The arm works very well out front creating good extension and above average command for his class. His fastball has sat 81-82 mph and projects to climb soon. He also features a change up at 74-77 mph and a curveball at 67-70 mph. The offspeed is behind the fastball, but projects to be above average given the athleticism and repeatability of his delivery. Very interesting two-way prospect, but may be one of the better left handed bats in the 2019 class.

Josh Rivera, 3B/SS, Avon Park HS. (2019)
Moving up six spots to No. 23 is the 6-foot, 165- pound Rice recruit who has impressed both offensively and defensively all summer and fall. He has and advanced approach and above average bat speed for his class. He has also shown a feel for the barrel with some power potential and a strong lower half. Rivera is an above average defender at third base, with plenty of range and enough arm to stay there while also projecting to be a middle of the order bat at the next level.

Bryce Boone, C, Trinity Catholic HS, (2019)
Moving up ten spots to No. 29 is the physical 6-foot-2 190-pound Florida State recruit. He has a strong catchers build and shows good actions behind the plate with his hands working well in receiving and pop times in the 2.0-2.1 range. Offensively, the right handed hitter can get a little long but has some present pull side power and will continue to become more consistent with big potential the more at-bats he logs.