FL Preseason Previews: Bartow, Lake Mary, Plantation, Chiles

January 15, 2020
Doug Freeman/Rocco Iervasi
Florida Executive Director/ Director of Operations

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. Prior to that, we will break down some other teams across the state and what to watch for.

TEAM: BARTOW

2019 Record: 16-9
FHSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: Daniel Payne
Playoff Run: N/A
Returning Starters: 14

OUTLOOK

A lot of experience returning offensively and defensively led by Vanderbilt commit Jonathan Vastine. Pitching should be a strength of theirs. They will need to find more consistency behind the dish, and they expect to be a good ball club that will play a very tough schedule.

TEAM: LAKE MARY

2019 Record: 18-6
FHSAA Class: 9A
Head Coach: Jeff Perez
Playoff Run: N/A
Returning Starters: 12

OUTLOOK

Top 4 pitchers returning. Cade Udell (Duke), Grayson Moore (Vanderbilt), Brody Norris (Liberty), Jeff Liquori (Florida Southern). One of the top bats in the nation and CF Dylan Crews also returns. Grayson Moore who missed most of last year is a two way switch hitting OF/P who will be relied on heavily to help the team. Lake Mary is rebuilding an entirely new infield with the loss of 4 seniors in those spots. If pitching holds up they should be in most games.

TEAM: PLANTATION

2019 Record: 6-12
FHSAA Class: 8A
Head Coach: Manny Aguilar
Playoff Run: N/A
Returning Starters: 8

OUTLOOK

Plantation is a young team built mainly of juniors and sophomores. They lost 8 seniors last year and are in the phase of a rebuild. Their defense will be ran by Maddie Saven, their team captain and returning 3 year starter. Yoel Oliva will be Plantation’s new shortstop, as he comes over from a State contending team, McArthur High School. Their big offensive threat will be junior, Edwin Reynoso, who put up big numbers as a sophomore for Dillard High school (.500 BA). They will rely heavily on JT Storey as their ace with a combination of pitchers coming out for relief.

Team: Chiles

2019 Record: 6-14
FHSAA Class: 8A
Head Coach: Dick Steed
Playoff Run: Regional Runner-Up
Returning Starters: 9

OUTLOOK

Chiles is a very young but talented team. Especially with their sophomore class led by Alabama commit, Jaxson West. Chiles played three freshmen down the stretch last year and could possibly play four or five this year. This is one of the best classes Chiles has ever had.