FL Preseason All-State: 1st Team All-State

February 18, 2019
Doug Freeman & Phil Kerber
PBR Florida Staff

The weekend of January 26th and 27th, PBR Florida held its 3rd annual Preseason All-State event at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., to evaluate close to 100 of the state’s top prospects. This invite only event was comprised of prospects from all classes. To view the whole roster, CLICK HERE.

We began our event coverage with a Statistical Analysis, highlighting the top statistical performers on leaderboards. We then provided our first impressions from the event, broken down by team: Team White, Team Blue, Team Black, Team Red, Team Yellow, Team Gray

We started our positional breakdown last week, andconcluded it yesterday: Catchers, Corner Infielders, Middle Infielders, Outfielders, Pitchers, Two-way prospects.

From this event, we have selected 36 prospects who make up our 1st and 2nd Team All-State. On Friday we debuted our 2nd Team Preseason All-State. Today, PBR Florida presents the Preseason All-State - 1st Team.

1st Team All-State

Pitcher

Brandon Barriera LHP / 1B / Westminster Academy, FL / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 14 / POS: 4

Uncommitted, currently one of the top prospects in the state and country, ranked No. 2 in Florida and No. 14 Overall. 6-foot, 155-pounds, highly athletic, strength throughout frame, muscular build, moves loosely, projectable. Arm action is short, circular on the back-side, arm speed is quick to a ¾ slot. Tall and fall delivery, sit on back-side, leads with hip, works online, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball worked 86-88 with some run. Curveball, 68-69, 1/7 shape, depth, late bite. Changeup, fade and sink action, 73-74. High follow 2022 MLB Draft prospect.

Dante Visconti RHP / Bartram Trail, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 88 / POS: 28

Florida Atlantic recruit. 6-foot-5, 205-pound right-handed pitcher, extra-large frame, broad shoulders, athletic build. Long arm action, shows on the back-side, turns over quickly into a low ¾ slot, creates deception. Drop and drive delivery, works on-line, lands slightly closed, shoulders square, finishes upright, square to the plate. Fastball sat 89-90 mph with heavy run. Curveball, sweeping action, 76-78. Changeup, sinking action, 78-81. Unorthodox delivery with movement of arsenal will cause hitters fits.

Evan Dobias RHP / OF / Westminster Academy, FL / 2022

Rankings StateRank: 8 / POS: 2

Virginia commit. 6-foot, 160-pound, athletic frame, projectable build. Arm works short and clean on the back-side, turns over quickly to a ¾ slot. Hybrid delivery, repeats with easy effort, tall and fall, works on-line, lands closed, finishes walking off. Fastball sat 82-84 with easy life. Curveball, 11/5 shape, depth, 71-74. Changeup, fade action, 76-79. High follow 2022 prospect.

Catcher

Nathan Hickey C / SS / Providence, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 20 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 166 / POS: 20

Florida recruit. At 6-foot, 208 pounds he is barrel chested with a stocky thick build with present strength. Defensively, he is a solid all around catcher. Can continue to improve flexibility and consistency receiving, but has the tools and will continue to improve with reps. Where he really stands out is offensively. With the frame, you might think he was a power first, with some swing and miss from the left side, but when you watch him swing the power is there, but so is the feel to hit. He shows and advanced, simple approach, with the ability to work gap to gap. Has plenty of strength and power, especially to the pull side, with natural pull side loft. Overall, he has a chance to be a well above average, offensive catcher, which is a rare profile that will play well.

Joaquin Monque C / 1B / Cypress Bay, FL / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 85 / POS: 14

St Leo commit. The lean, athletic 6-foot-1, 195 pound catcher might be the best defensive catcher in attendance. He has present ankle and hip flexibility, while remaining stable in receiving. He has soft hands and strong shoulder and consistently in good positions. The transfer is ideal, with a clean, quick glove turn and gets the ball in the air quickly, resulting in pop times 2.05-2.1. Offensively, he has a wide, strong base. With a small leg kick to gather and short, simple load, he has ability to get his foot down softly and on time. Clears the lower half well and stays compact while creating leverage and power. Overall, has a chance to be above average both defensively and offensively.

First Base

Cade Bush 1B / 3B / Palm Beach Gardens, FL / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 57 / POS: 2

Florida State recruit. Standing at a physical 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. Strength-based player with a large frame. Offensively, he shows power over hit future offensive profile. Really advanced physically for 2021 class. Stands upright and slightly open, he uses his strength efficiently especially to the pull side. Expect to see the bat get very loud as he gets older and grows into his athleticism. Defensively, he works well around the bag and profiles as your tradtional big right handed power first baseman.

William Bartlett C / 1B / IMG Academy, FL / 2019

Arizona recruit. The physical, 6-foot-3, 220 pound first baseman is looks as much like a middle linebacker as a first baseman. He moved extremely athletically around the bag at first and showed well above average hands. His bat is by far his best tool though. He has present raw power, with an exit velocity of 94 mph, he has plenty of strength. The strength does not hinder the swing, but gives him the ability to stay simple and short and create power with little effort with advance bat to ball skills. He has a chance to be a huge riser this spring with above average hit and power tools.

Middle Infield

Tommy Benson SS / RHP / IMG Academy, FL / 2019

North Alabama recruit, he is one of the most physically mature and strong players in attendance. Stands at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds with athleticism and strength. Defensively, there is some stiffness, but works under control. Hands work well, gets to and through the ball and throws have plenty of carry to stay on the left side of the infield, topping out at 89 mph. Offensively, the switch hitter has bat speed and the strength plays from both sides. Appears more confident right-handed where he has more rhythm and works with a leg kick. Stays fairly compact with elite bat speed and an exit velocity of 104 mph. Left handed is still very impressive. The strong lower half clears, works slightly open, could benefit from some separation with the hands but the bat speed plays and shows pull power. Overall, a lot of tools and a follow going into the spring.

Kevin Karstetter SS / RHP / IMG Academy, FL / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 21 / POS: 6 OverallRank: 119 / POS: 30

Florida Atlantic recruit. Overall, is one of the more twitchy athletes in attendance with not only quick twitch, but strength in the 6-foot-3, 210 pound frame. Looks more like a middle-linebacker than a middle infielder. The athleticism plays well though. Has a quick first step, could work with come more rhythm, but has quality ranges and hands work well. Offensively, the hands are extremely quick and creates well above average bat speed, compact through the zone. Had an exit velocity of 93 mph. Overall the athleticism and present tools still give him a high ceiling even with the presently physical frame.

Connor Moore SS / 2B / St. John's Country Day, FL / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 123 / POS: 29

Florida State recruit. The athletic 6-foot, 170 pound middle infielder was one of the more impressive defenders on the day. He has natural bounce in his step, quick, easy lateral agility. Under control, but works fast while keeping feet and hands in sync. Overall has the actions to be a potential plus defender. Offensively, he has an early separation while can create some length at times. The hands are loose and bat has natural whip. Swing will become more compact with strength and maturity and has present bat speed that should develop into gap to gap power. Overall, a potential plus defender with a high offensive ceiling.

Cade Parker SS / Bozeman, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 149 / POS: 29

FAU recruit. 5-foot-11, 170 pound, athletic build. Defensively, is a very sound defender. Works under control and appears to be the type of infielder who will make all the routine plays and be an all around solid defender who could potentially play multiple positions on the infield. Solid all-around athlete and runner. Offensively, he has a line drive path at the plate. Can get long with the swing and come around the ball but is athletic enough with his hands to overcome. Has a natural feel to hit and should develop.There is natural strength as well as bat speed, an exit velocity of 91 mph and the ball carries well off of the bat, especially to the pull side. Overall, a very athletic player with some upside.

Third Base

Brett Blair 3B / SS / Buchholz, FL / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 31 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 202 / POS: 14

Perhaps one of the most intriguing uncommitted underclass prospects in attendance. He has continued to add physicality to an impressive frame and looks as much like a linebacker as a third basemen. The measurables were impressive as well. Ran a 6.87 60 yard dash in very tough conditions, was 83 mph across the infield and had an exit velocity of 94 mph. Although he showed more than just measurables. While he will need to continue to improve rhythm at third, he is a sound defender. The bat really plays up though. He uses the strength throughout his frame well, with a leg kick trigger he stays balanced in the lower half and compact through the zone while generating above average bat speed with the strength. Overall, he has a lot of tools and a high offensive ceiling with the chance to both hit for average and power.

Outfield

Dylan Crews OF / C / Lake Mary, FL / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 1 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 5 / POS: 3

LSU recruit, the No 1 player in Florida reinforced that notion at the Preseason All State. If you were looking for a potential flaw in his game, it may have been his run tool, previously running a 7.2 at last year's event. This year, in very tough conditions, put up a 6.93, with added strength throughout the frame and the look of an above average runner. Defensively, he moves well in the outfield and looks like he could potentially stick in center. If not though, the bat continues to prove it can hold up anywhere. The added strength has translated to power. The swing is balanced and simple, efficiently using the strong lower half. Advanced approach, driving balls with power from gap to gap. Overall it is a true above average with plus potential hit tool and potential above average power. The bat has been consistent for a long time, but the added strength and athleticism will have him in contention as one of, if not the top players in the country in 2020.

Brandon Fields OF / Dr. Phillips, FL / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 18 / POS: 3 OverallRank: 102 / POS: 18

South Carolina commit. Raw physicality to project on. Advanced athleticism and strength. Quick and powerful physical actions. Flashes a power-speed combo with natural ability to defend in center field or a plus right fielder, depending on how his bat ends up playing. Offensively, the swing has made significant strides. Even with the added strength, the swing has become more fluid and works through extension, staying in the zone longer. There is plus bat speed and present strength. Overall, one of the highest ceiling prospects in attendance.

AJ Shaver OF / RHP / South Lake, FL / 2020

Rankings StateRank: 33 / POS: 5 OverallRank: 191 / POS: 27

Florida State commit, 6-foot-2, 197-pound, athletically-built, continues to add muscle to frame advanced hitter. Bat stays in zone for a long time and moves hands well. Hit and power combo, recorded a 98 mph exit velocity off a tee with wood. Showed easy power to the pull side. His swing should really work at all levels. Ran a 6.92 laser-timed 60. Can run well enough to play anywhere in the OF. Fields position athletically, arm action is clean and loose, 89 mph from the outfield. Exciting 2020 player.

Corey Robinson OF / DeLand, FL / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 9 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 51 / POS: 7

Miami commit. Slender athletic build at 5-foot-11, 160-pounds, plenty of room to add strength. Balanced setup at the plate, short toe-tap stride, maintains good balance. Gap-to-gap approach offensively, line drive hitter, barrel whips through the zone, 88 mph exit velocity off a tee. Above average runner, 6.80 laser-timed 60, speed translates defensively. Fields position athletically, runs through the ball, quick/fluid footwork, clean exchanges. Arm works loosely from a ¾ slot, 84 mph from the outfield.

Utility

Frank Elissalt RHP / 3B / Miami Sunset Senior, FL / 2020

One of the top uncommitted prospects at the event. 6-foot-2, 195-pound switch-hitting two-way prospect. Offensively, legitimate switch-hitter, similar setup and approach from both-sides, balanced, long stride, remains balanced throughout. Looks to elevate the ball to pull-side, 90 mph exit velocity. Defensively, long, loose arm action, over-the-top slot, throws carry with accuracy, 91 mph across the diamond. Fields position athletically, can stick at third base at the next level. On the mound, long, circular arm action, clean on the back side, ¾ slot, low effort. Drop and drive delivery, smooth rhythm, works on-line, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball worked 86-88. Curveball, 11/5 shape, 68-74. Changeup, fade action, 75-78. Ran a 7.90 laser-timed 60.

Two-Way

Hunter Barco LHP / 1B / Bolles, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 2 / POS: 1 PBR Draft BoardRank: 16 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 6 / POS: 1 HS Draft 100Rank: 6 / POS: 1

Florida recruit. Long, projectable frame with broad shoulders at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. The arm action is loose and quick through a low-¾ slot. He strides down the mound in line with ease and balance. The fastball sat 90-92 with some arm-side run and he located it mostly in the bottom half of the zone. Slider has short break with some late action, has good feel for and shape, currently an average pitch, has shown above-average in the past. Has good feel for and if He shows feel for a changeup with sink and fade at 84, as well as a splitter that dives at 81. While his future is clearly on the mound, Barco shows natural left-handed power that could play at the college level.

Jackson Baumeister C / RHP / Bolles, FL / 2021

Rankings StateRank: 11 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 65 / POS: 7

Florida State recruit. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds he might not only be one of the more physically impressive underclassmen in attendance, he was overall one of the most talented. A true two way player, he stands out behind the plate where is is athletic and comfortable, with flexibility and a good setup despite the large frame. Transfer is clean, arm is strong, feet work and pop times ranged from 1.94-2.11. Offensively, the right-handed hitter uses the large frame efficiently with a simple swing, driving balls from gap-to-gap. He has bat to ball skills and power with overall high upside. On the mound, he used his strong lower half well, with an efficient delivery, above average curveball and fastball up to 91 mph. Overall, a true two-way talent with very advanced skillset