Florida Underclass Games: Top 2017 Prospects

September 14, 2015

By Rob Sidwell
Florida Scouting Director

Gainesville, Fl. ---The Florida Underclass Games saw a wealth of uncommitted young talent. Today we take a look at the class of 2017 top standouts from the showcase lead by 2017 middle infielder, DeAndre Shelton from West Orange HS. The switch hitting shortstop stood out for both his offensive and defensive skills. The left handed power hitting Clemente Inclan from the Bolles School, also showed why he won’t last long on the uncommitted list with his sweet left handed swing and his ability to play the hot corner. The 6-foot-7 RHP Drew Martin from Tampa Jesuit, stood out for his size but also for his 86 mph fast ball and the upside in his delivery. Catchers Nico Samarkos from Gainesville HS and Frank Niemann from Lake Mary HS both stood out for their strong bodies, good arm strength and their ability to hit for power. Here’s the rest of the 2017 standouts.

DeAndre Shelton, SS/2B, West Orange HS, 2017
At 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, Shelton showed very good actions at short stop with an average ML arm. He’s got good defensive instincts with plenty of range and very good fielding mechanics. He reads the ball well of the bat and takes good angles to balls. His hands are soft, he presents the glove with the pocket open and fingers down, left of center and fields through the ball. He throws an over hand slot. If I were to be critical about one thing, I would like to see him throw from different arm slots when needed. Shelton showed today that he can play short stop and that he’s not just a second baseman.

As good of a defender as DeAndre is, his best tool is his bat. He is a switch hitter with a short compact quick stroke from both sides of the plate. He continues to gain strength in his bat and has Average ML power right now with more to come. He can drive the ball in both gaps. More doubles power right now but can also get the ball out of the yard. From the right side, he looked more like a line drive type guy that worked down through the ball. From the left side, he looked like he had a little more lift in his swing and could get the ball in the air a bit easier. He took impressive rounds of BP and squared a lot of balls up in the games. From both sides, he showed bat speed and strength. 4.2 GPA.

Clemente Inclan, 3B/P, The Bolles School 2017
Incoming junior who stands at 6-foot-2 195 pounds with a strong, thick, and athletic body. At the plate he is quiet, relaxed, and gets a small separation for his load. Easy swing with a nice plane and good bat speed. The ball really jumps off his bat and he has Average ML power already. Produced an 88 mph exit bat velocity. In the field he possesses soft hands a short, loose, and over the top arm action. Plenty of arm to stay at 3B as he threw 82 mph across the diamond. On the mound he has an easy delivery with a loose high ¾ arm action from the left side (ambidextrous). 77-81 mph FB, 67-71 mph CB, and 71-73 mph CHG. Should be a division I player at the next level.

Drew Martin, RHP, Tampa Jesuit HS, 2017
6-foot-7, 230 pound right hander with a very tall loose body with a thick wide strong lower half. Deep in back. Hides ball. Long to short arm action in back. Lands in line. Inconsistent release point out front. Fast ball has deception with some arm side run and downhill tilt at 84-86 mph. Slider is a short tight ¾ breaker at 76-77 mph. Change-up has same fast ball action at 76-77 mph. Very big body with a loose live arm. High ceiling guy.

Nico Samarkos, C, Gainesville HS, 2017
5-foot-11, 186 pound catcher with a strong stocky body with a strong thick lower half. Fair hands behind the plate. Two hand receiver with a quick release. Had a 1.88 pop time with a 74 mph velocity. Arm had carry and was mostly on line and accurate. Has a short quick stroke with some present power and strength in bat. Good hitters hands. Stays in side ball and drives ball into both gaps. Had an exit bat speed velocity of 84 mph. Ran 4.8 to 1B. Will be a division one player.

Frank Niemann, C/1B, Lake Mary, 2017
6-foot, 190 pound catcher with a strong athletic young body. Solid receiver with mobility to block balls in dirt. Quick release with accurate throws. Quick hands with a short quick high ¾ slot. Stays in line to target. Loose quick bat with low hands and a leg kick. Aggressive approach at the plate. Good bat speed with a good bat path. Barrel stays in zone. Stays inside ball well. Uses the whole field. Good balanced finish. Makes a lot of hard contact. Shows power in both gaps. Ran a 7.82 60. 86 mph exit bat speed velocity. 2.02 pop time with a catchers velocity of 75 mph. Will be a good division one player.

James Sunailitus, SS/RHP, George Jenkins HS 2017
Incoming junior who stands at 6-foot-2 180 pounds with a lean, athletic, and projectable frame with strength. At the plate he has some rhythm and gets a good separation. Easy swing with good bat speed and a nice plane. The ball really jumps off his bat. In the field he has fairly soft hands with decent footwork and a strong (average ML) arm across the diamond. Looks like an above average ML runner. He was also up to 85 mph off the mound. Threw 85 mph across the diamond and produced an 88 mph exit bat velocity. Good two-way player who will definitely play at the next level.

Will Baker, 2B/SS, Houston Academy (AL), 2017
5-foot-8, 147 pound infielder with a live compact athletic body. Quick loose infield actions with good hands. Aggressive routes and angles to balls. Fields through the ball. Light on his feet. Plays under control with feet always under him. Enough arm strength for left side of field. Occasionally stands up to throw. At the plate, he has a short stride with a slight leg kick. Slight load and separation. Short quick swing with a gap to gap approach. Stays inside ball well. Good bat path with some length and lift. Is a hustler. Made a web gem diving catch in the outfield. High energy guy. 81 mph infield velocity. 81 mph exit bat speed velocity.

Joe Cosgrove, C, Lake Highland Prep, 2017
Stocky strong body on medium sized frame. Short arm with carry. Throws were mostly around the bag. Average type release with average hands. 2.06 pop time with a catchers velocity of 76 mph. Good approach with the bat with a short quick line drive stroke. Good load and separation. Has some pull power with more to come. Shows some aggressiveness and some present strength. Exit bat speed velocity of 76 mph.

Don Yaney, OF, North Marion HS, 2017
6-foot, 170 pound outfielder with an athletic body and strong lower half. Fields through ball with a good release. Charges ball with aggressive coordination. Loose easy working arm. Throws had carry with an outfield velocity of 84 mph. Had some quickness in the bat. Stays back. Occasionally cuts his swing off and ties himself up but has future strength. Body has a lot of upside. Bat will improve with added strength.