Prep Baseball Report

Florida Diamond Club 2016: Team South (Rockies) Breakdown



North Florida Open

By Doug Freeman and Mike Maerz

Lakeland, FL- The Florida Diamond Club takes place each year the weekend before the Jupiter tournament and consists mostly of the top draft prospects for the 2017 class in the state of Florida and Puerto Rico.

Diamond Club is a three day event that consists of four teams. Each team goes through a pro-style workout, BP and two 10 inning games over the course of the three days at Historic Henley Field. 

Over the next two days we will go team by team with reports on nearly every player in attendance this year. Today we will breakdown Team South (Rockies) led offensively by Gabriel Rivera (Killian HS, FL), Mark Vientos (American Heritage HS, FL), and Alex Toral (Archbishop McCarthy HS, FL). They also had standouts in Wilberto Rivera (Carlos Beltran Academy, PR) and Robert Touron (Gulliver Prep HS, FL). 

Gabriel Rivera, a very physical outfielder, isn't just strong but athletic as well. Running a a 6.75 60 to go along with strong accurate throws he looked good defensively as well as offensively. The right handed hitter really stood out offensively though, with a double to left-center field and a lot of hard contact. There is a lot of quick twitch along with strength and barrel control that makes him a very interesting outfielder. 

Toral came into the event looking leaner and under control of the powerful swing he has. He drove multiple balls over the right field fence with ease in batting practice and showed a patient, gap-to-gap approach with a double to left center field. If he can keep this approach and frame along with the already plus power he will have a chance to be a high pick in June. 

Vientos has also been on the map for a long time. Young for his class, he continues to show the ability to hit at a very high level with an extremely high ceiling. He is consistent and athletic, a combination that makes him a very interesting draft prospect.

Wilberto Rivera was the most impressive player over the course of the weekend. The lean and projectable righty sat 93-94 mph touching 96 with an easy live arm action. He also showed an above average slider. He has an electric arm and a frame that can continue to fill out which makes him a potential day one arm.

Touron was also very impressive with less effort on a fastball that sat 90-92 mph touching 93 mph with late arm side life from a low 3/4 slot. He is lanky and projectable with a quick arm and has shown some shape for an above average slider. 

Check out below for the full breakdown of all of the players mentioned above and the remaining players on Team South (Rockies).

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