2018 Joe Skinner Fall Championship Upperclass Preview

The Joe Skinner Fall Championship will be held this weekend, September 15-16, at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, FL  Eleven teams will be participating in the inaugural event in an Upperclass and Underclass divisions.

The event is an opportunity to honor the life of Joe Skinner, raise funds during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to support children and teens suffering from leukemia and give young men an opportunity to play the game Joe loved.

Prep Baseball Report Florida will be on hand at every game, with coverage of the games, post game scout blogs, as well as a combine on Saturday.  Today we take a look at some players to watch from the Upperclass Division.

Players can still register for the combine tomorrow morning HERE.

For the full schedule, roster and all info on the tournament please CLICK HERE.

Elite Squad Academy
Connor Manning, RHP, Elite Squad Academy (2021) - The 6-foot-2, 150 pound right handed pitcher has a strong body and features a heavy fastball that has been up to 85 mph with some natural cut.

Matthew Menendez, C, Elite Squad Academy (2020)- The physcial catcher is a solid defender and has power potential from the right side.

Alex Ulloa, SS, Elite Squad Academy (2021)- Miami recruit, the twitchy middle infielder is an above average defender with present bat to ball skills.

Sebastian Bentz, LHP/1B, Elite Squad Academy (2020)- The 6-foot-2, 198 pound two way player has shown power potential from the left side and an above average feel to pitch.

Bryan Loriga, 3B, Elite Squad Academy (2021)- FIU recruit the physical third baseman has above average power for his class and is a bat to watch.

FTB Berryhill
AJ Shaver, OF, South Lake HS (2020)- The Florida State  recruit is an above average athlete with present gap-to-gap power with more to come.  

Grayson Moore, RHP/OF, Lake Mary HS (2020)- UCF recruit has an electric arm and has been up to 90 mph on the mound. Offensively, the switch hitter has present leverage and some power potential to watch.

McGwire Holbrook, C, Bishop Moore (2020)- West Virginia recruit, he is a physical catcher and has above average offensive ability with some present power and feel to hit.

Luke Baker, LHP, Buchholz (2020)- The 6-foot-6 left hander is uncommitted and ultra projectable. Continues his upward trend, has been up to 87 mph and shows above average feel for three pitches.

Jackson Grabsky, 3B, Hagerty (2020)- Jacksonville recruit, he continues to be an offensive leader with an advanced approach, bat to ball skill and power potential.

Bennett Lee, C, Jesuit Hs (2020)- The physical catcher has above average defensive ability and gap-to-gap power. A solid all around uncommitted catcher to follow.

Jacob Starling, SS, Trinity Prep (2020)- Recently committing to East Carolina, he is a twitchy, above average defender with present bat speed and line drive approach.

Aaron Combs, RHP, Inspiration Academy (2020)- Uncommitted, the athletic right handed pitcher was up to 89 mph recently and will be an interesting follow.

Matthew Prevesk, OF/LHP, Apopka Hs (2021)- Florida recruit the left handed hitter showed above average to plus power potential and upside on the mound.

Wyatt Scotti, RHP, St Marks (2020)- The athletic right-hander has a very quick arm and was recently up to 88 mph. The Duke commit is very athletic and will be an arm to see.

Power Baseball 2020 Blue
Will Law, RHP/OF, Land O’ Lakes (2020)- Athletic and projectable two-way player, ball comes out of his hand well with sink.

Mike Ridge, C, Seminole (2020)-  Solid defensive catcher with a quick release and an accurate arm. Has present bat to ball skills and consistently finds the barrel.

Zach Weaver, 1B, Apopka (2020)- A big, strong, right handed hitting first basemen has power potential and a potential middle of the order bat.

Damian Goulart, SS/3B, Lake Brantley (2021)- One of the only 2021s, he has above average defensive actions and power potential offensively.

Scorpions Founders 2020
Lucas Costello, SS, Gulliver Prep (2020)- Wake Forest recruit, the physical middle infielder is an above average defender and has advanced offensive toolset with upside.

Lucas Ismaili, SS, East Lake Hs (2020)- Uncommitted infielder, he is twitchy, athletic and has above average defensive actions. There is present bat speed and all around projection and upside.

Josh Mallitz, RHP, Jesuit (2020)- Ole Miss recruit the projectable 6-foot-3 right-hander has been up to 85 mph with loose arm and upside.

Henry Politz, C, Jesuit (2020)- Uncommitted, physical left-handed hitting catcher with above average power potential.

Zac Veen, INF/OF, Spruce Creek (2020)- UCF recruit the lanky, left handed hitter is a real bat. Bat to ball skills and above average power potential.

Zack Bennett, RHP, Spruce Creek (2020)- UCF recruit, the projectable 6-foot-4 right-hander has been up to 88 mph with upside.

Dylan Brazil, OF, Bishop Moore (2020)- Uncommitted left-handed hitter is stocky with a compact swing with gap-to-gap power and hit tool.

Southern Squeeze 16u
Tanner Smart, OF, Riverdale (2021)- An athletic and physical outfielder, he is an above average runner and gap-to-gap type hitter.

Gus Vickers, SS, St John Neumann (2020)- Very athletic shortstop who has shown above average defensive actions.

Dalton Cleveland, RHP, Gulf Coast (2020)- Projectable frame and shown ability to throw three pitches for strikes.

About Joe and the SkinnerStrong Foundation

Joe Skinner loved his family and cherished his friends.  A gifted athlete, he played multiple sports from the age of 4 but his passion was always baseball.  

Joe passed away on April 30, 2016 at the age of 17 after a 5-month battle with a rare form of leukemia (hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia).  Joe always put others before himself and he continues to be an inspiration to his family, friends and all who know him.

The SkinnerStrong Foundation was created to continue his legacy and to raise funds to help other children in their battle with leukemia.

Some Facts About Childhood Cancer

“Childhood cancer” actually means cancers that strike infants, children, teens and young adults.

Many adult cancers can be diagnosed early. In 80% of kids, cancer has already spread to other areas of the body by the time it is diagnosed.

There are over a dozen types of childhood cancers, and countless subtypes, making it more challenging for researchers to find cures for every kid.

Only 4% of federal government cancer research funding goes to study pediatric cancer.