Holdren's Highlights- Southwest Florida Edition
May 4, 2023
Over the course of this spring I’ve seen over 30 games across the state. With the most being in Southwest Florida. From Tampa down to Naples with plenty of stops to Bradenton and Fort Myers in between. Due to living in the area, this will be the biggest edition of Holdren’s Highlights yet. This includes MLB Draft prospects, D1 bats and arms, JUCO bandits, uncommitted guys, and more. Here’s a look at some of the standouts and highlights from the spring.
MLB Draft Prospects
Cam Johnson, LHP, IMG Academy, LSU recruit
Cam Johnson ‘23 was electric per usual. Top LHP in class and @LSUbaseball commit attacked hitters from the start
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 22, 2023
Worked mostly 93-96 (2615), up to 97
Threw 5 shutout innings pic.twitter.com/sU4BSLiLM0
Emilio Gonzalez, 1B, Island Coast, FAU recruit
Another ball that probably gets out on most other days
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 12, 2023
This time from @FAUBaseball recruit ‘23 Emilio Gonzalez
Hard to miss the 6’3 215 frame #MLBDraft
RBI double ?? pic.twitter.com/oMzqBWyvuJ
Jake Mueller, 1B, Island Coast, Alabama recruit
Jake Mueller ‘23 - 1B
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 11, 2023
The @AlabamaBSB commit gets his day started with a double to deep CF.
HR on most days but the wind is howling in here at Island Coast
Take a look at the bat speed ??#MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/QhabuYWxfn
Aidan Knaak, RHP, Bishop Verot, Clemson recruit
CF cam showed more dominance from @ClemsonBaseball commit ‘23 Aidan Knaak
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 23, 2023
12/6 CB kept hitters of balance
CH just disappears off a cliff ?
Finished w/ 10Ks over 6 IP
Over 70% strikes#MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/kxIgBi3ooQ
Liam Peterson, RHP, Calvary Christian, Florida recruit
Liam Peterson ‘23 (FL) - RHP
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 4, 2023
6’5 195
Uber projectable righty up to 95 tonight. Quick loose arm action. Spun the CB well getting weak contact
2.2IP, 3Ks
FB: 93-94 T95 (2488)
CB: 80-81 (2612)@GatorsBB recruit #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/CUyoyazFFU
Hunter Dietz, LHP, Calvary Christian, Arkansas recruit
Hunter Dietz ‘23 (FL) - LHP
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 4, 2023
6’6 225 Physical
Southpaw with free and easy arm action. Generated tons of swing & miss on both FB and SL. Finished with 11Ks
FB: 88-91 (2349)
SL: 75-78 (2572)
4.1 IP, 11Ks, 0R @RazorbackBSB commit#MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/9Er3ep8d4Y
Landen Maroudis, SS, Calvary Christian, NC State recruit
Landen Maroudis ‘23 (FL) - SS/RHP
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 4, 2023
6’3 195 Premium Athlete
✌?way shows off offensive prowess here with a line drive to LF. Quick loose hands w/ elite bat speed@NCStateBaseball recruit #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/zw7QcxPSsI
Zion Rose, C, IMG Academy, Louisville recruit
E1 | Archbishop McCarthy 0, IMG National 1
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 21, 2023
• ‘23 Cam Johnson works a 1-2-3 top half
• ‘23 Zion Rose singles and steals 2nd, leading to a run for IMG pic.twitter.com/zHtOBE3EzF
D1 Arms
Troy Guthrie, RHP, Parrish Community, FGCU commit
Troy Guthrie ‘24 (FL) - RHP@FGCU_Baseball commit
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) February 25, 2023
6’2 190
Impressive outing from Guthrie. Rhythmic delivery w/ loose clean AA. Above average CB. Feel for spin
Went 6 shutout innings ?
FB: 87-90 (2486)
CB: 76-78 (2517)
CH: 78-79 pic.twitter.com/LexCVZR3g0
CJ AuBuchon, LHP, IMG Academy, Mississippi State commit
CJ AuBuchon ‘26 - LHP @HailStateBB commit
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 8, 2023
6’3 170
Lean projectable frame. Loose clean arm action. Downer CB generated tons of swing & miss. CH tunnels well w/ fade. More velo to come with maturity and added strength
7Ks in 4IP
FB: 79-82 T83 (2250)
CB: 69-71
CH: 74-75 pic.twitter.com/7qpiaxVhzL
Ryan Rushing, LHP, IMG Academy, IU recruit
Former Future Games participant for #TeamFL and @IndianaBase commit Ryan Rushing continues to impress every time we see him.
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 24, 2023
Worked mostly 88-90, up to 91 (2482)
CB 2900+ rpm ?
Struck out 12 in 5 dominate innings of relief pic.twitter.com/Hxe4Wqr5gN
Jaewoo Cho, RHP, IMG Academy, Arkansas recruit
Jaewoo Cho ‘23 (FL) - RHP@RazorbackBSB commit
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 30, 2023
Worked mostly 87-90, up to 91 in the 2nd
Lots of swing & miss on both breaking balls
FB: 87-90 T91 (2410)
CB: 73-75 (2648)
SL: 78-79 (2713)
CH: 82-83
Gave up 3 runs over 7 innings pic.twitter.com/Bgyrx9KLjh
EJ Burns, RHP, Taravella, FGCU commit
EJ Burns ‘24 - RHP/SS@FGCU_Baseball commit
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 21, 2023
5’10 175 Quick twitch ✌? way
Up-tempo delivery w/ fast arm. Sat mostly 85-87, up to 88 in the 1st. Late bite on SL getting plenty of swing & miss. CH tunnels well w/ some fade
7IP 7Ks 0ER
FB: 85-87 T88
SL: 78-79 (2412)
CH: 75-76 pic.twitter.com/6bhOyOQbgJ
Miguel Sime, RHP, Poly Prep (NY), LSU commit
Miguel Sime ‘25 (NY) - RHP
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 30, 2023
6’2 195
The @LSUbaseball commit was as advertised. Effortless 90-92, up to 93 (2517)
Sporadic control in the developing off speed pitches but a lot to like in the FB@PBRNewYork pic.twitter.com/kI0Gnghe5W
D1 Bats
Dillon Moss, C, IMG Academy, Stanford commit
Dillon Moss ‘26 (@StanfordBSB) continues to find barrel after barrel tonight. Smokes this ball to deep LCF but CF Addy Scott makes a running catch to rob him of extra bases pic.twitter.com/nUGsIFFVOi
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 8, 2023
Noah Franco, OF, IMG Academy, Mississippi State commit
Noah Franco ‘24 - LHP/OF@HailStateBB commit
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 21, 2023
✌?way hits every time we see him. Doesn’t get fooled w/ 2Ks and blasts this ball to RCF for a solo HR#PBRBombSquad? pic.twitter.com/vc6HoVww5G
Dean Moss, OF, IMG Academy, Vandy commit
Dean Moss ‘25 (FL) - OF
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 30, 2023
Another top 2025 in Florida that always hits when we see him
With winds howling in the @VandyBoys commit just misses a HR to the deepest part of the park
Sound on ? pic.twitter.com/IdaGEHAT4R
Jason Bello, 3B, Bishop Verot, USF commit
Another #PBRBombSquad? at North Fort Myers. This one from ‘24 Jason Bello
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 22, 2023
Oppo taco ? from the @USFBaseball commit pic.twitter.com/Rp5YmDtZwq
Mason Ceccarelli, OF, St. John Neumann, UCF commit
#UCFCommit ‘24 Mason Ceccarelli continues to stay hot.
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 24, 2023
Shows off the pullside power. Burning the right fielder for a 2B pic.twitter.com/RUQWyqLCEt
Andre Modugno, 3B, IMG Academy, Duke commit
‘24 3B Andre Modugno (@DukeBASE commit) shows off the ++ bat speed and pure strength here, doubling down the line pic.twitter.com/Q8WBwt4n8M
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 24, 2023
Evan Taveras, C, Canterbury, Miami commit
Evan Taveras ‘24 - C@CanesBaseball commit
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 29, 2023
6’1 195
Premium athlete behind the plate
Simple mature approach. Present strength w/ + bat speed. Shows ability to launch at contact.
One hops the wall in LCF for a 2B here?? pic.twitter.com/UkueWVlVkq
Tyler Bouchard, OF, Canterbury, Navy recruit
Tyler Bouchard ‘23 - CF@NavyBaseball commit
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 1, 2023
Bouchard is having himself quite the game. Has 2 triples and 3 RBIs so far. Gets his hands in and just misses a HR to deep RF pic.twitter.com/dlgXZYDmRG
Andrew Tess, C, Calvary Christian, Pitt recruit
E2 | Lakeland Christian 0, Calvary 3
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 4, 2023
Andrew Tess (@Pitt_BASE) continues to stay hot with his 2nd hit in as many ABs. Laces this pitch up the middle to extend the Calvary lead pic.twitter.com/pPwoiF2OKf
Keaton Burroughs, INF/OF, Calvary Christian, Pitt recruit
E1 | Lakeland Christian 0, Calvary 2
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 3, 2023
Calvary comes out swinging. Andrew Tess led off the game with a 3B. Followed by a Keaton Burroughs RBI 2B and Blake Opie RBI 1B
Burroughs 2B ?? pic.twitter.com/ucpxmrAgv9
Reilly Witmer, 1B, Naples, Florida recruit
‘23 Reilly Witmer(@GatorsBB) gets Naples on the board here in the 6th on an RBI 1B to RF pic.twitter.com/cytdlWN85H
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 1, 2023
Anthony Quigley, OF, Taravella, UAB commit
One of the higher upside players in his class ‘24 Anthony Quigley continues to get more comfortable in the box
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 21, 2023
Uber athletic w/ some serious pop when on time. Stays on the BB here for 2RBI single. Solid feel for barrel control pic.twitter.com/DqLytnkm3h
Uncommitted Guys
Sean Gamble, SS, IMG Academy, Uncommitted
Sean Gamble ‘25 - SS
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 21, 2023
6’1 185
One of the better pure hitters in his class. Athletic actions w/ ++bat speed.
Unloads on this ball to RCF for a HR#PBRBombSquad? pic.twitter.com/eypiuWfYV4
Jimmy Acosta, RHP, Inspiration Academy, Uncommitted
Jimmy Acosta ‘24 - RHP
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 18, 2023
6’1 170
An #UNcommitted ‘24 up to 93. A bit raw but the arm talent is obvious
FB: 90-92 T93 (2488)
CB: 76-79 (2590)
Recently moved here from the Dominican Republic
Definitely a guy to get eyes on ? pic.twitter.com/z1T2JvWIG0
Tyler Cripe, 2B/OF, Parrish Community, Uncommitted
Tyler Cripe ‘25 - 2B/OF
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) February 25, 2023
Saw Cripe yesterday from the left side. The ‘25 is almost a mirror image from the right
Stays back and smokes this ball to RF to add an insurance run for Parrish
One to follow this spring ?@PBRFlorida || @PBR_Uncommitted https://t.co/VrG1PVOZw6 pic.twitter.com/Iz9Jh9SC3E
John Kacinas, INF, Gulf Coast, Uncommitted
Really liked what I saw from ‘26 John Kacinas last night
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 21, 2023
6’2 160 Lean
Hard not to like the frame. Athletic mature actions in the box. Simple uphill path w/ quick hands. On time/on barrel here ?? pic.twitter.com/U5dHV9JHPz
DJ Pirela, OF, Tampa Jesuit, Uncommitted
DJ Pirela ‘24 - OF
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 21, 2023
Really like Pirela’s game. Prototypical leadoff hitter, working deep into counts. Athletic mover w/ quick hands
The #UNcommitted ‘24 collects his 2nd hit in as many ABs
Laces this ball to RF ? pic.twitter.com/CT4t8olKbB
Issac Lopez, SS, Island Coast, Uncommitted
Issac Lopez ‘25 - SS #UNcommitted
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 12, 2023
Really like the approach from Lopez
Prototypical leadoff hitter, walked his 1st AB. Then barrels this for a RBI double in his 2nd
Glove plays as well pic.twitter.com/KLzY9A761b
Jon Embury, C, Venice, Uncommitted
Jon Embury ‘24 - C
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 13, 2023
The #UNcommitted catcher just misses a HR to deep LCF after doubling in his 1st AB
Continues to find barrels every time I see him
Has shown well behind the plate as well pic.twitter.com/sRUY1kLz7j
Blake Busbee, OF, North Fort Myers, Uncommitted
‘23 Blake Busbee sends one to deep RCF but the wind keeps another ball in the park
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 12, 2023
Showing an ability to launch on contact ? pic.twitter.com/sSIi203bOm
Charlie Messina, C, IMG Academy, Uncommitted
Charlie Messina ‘26 - C
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 18, 2023
The #PBRJFG alum jumps all over the FB for an easy standup double to CF
Continues to be solid defensively behind the plate as well pic.twitter.com/T5B4LGhGFy
Brandon Beasley, INF, Out-of-Door Academy, Uncommitted
E3 | Venice 0, Out-of-Door Academy 4@OdaBaseball adds two more in the 3rd
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) April 13, 2023
• ‘24 Brandon Beasley doubles down the line (clip)
• ‘23 Giovanni Giuliani gets 2nd RBI if the day on a single up the middle pic.twitter.com/PlZXvzBS8u
Jacob Lozano, SS, Tampa Jesuit, Uncommitted
2024 SS Jacob Lozano singles up the middle to extend the Jesuit lead to 2 in the 2nd pic.twitter.com/B1frYtkx3S
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) April 20, 2023
Carter Cox, OF, Venice, Uncommitted
M5 | Jesuit 3, Venice 2
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) April 21, 2023
Venice cuts the lead to just 1 as we head to the bottom of the 5th
• ‘23 Trent Adrian singles
• ‘25 Carter Cox sac-fly? pic.twitter.com/0WYhF9FZBj
Grayson Carpenter, INF, Bishop Verot, Uncommitted
2025 Grayson Carpenter finds a way with 2Ks. Singles to RF to lead off the 4th for Bishop Verot pic.twitter.com/oPjtJL0A0V
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 22, 2023
Robert Hyatt, INF, Gulf Coast, Uncommitted
‘24 Robert Hyatt gets things started for Gulf Coast here in the 6th. Laces this ball to LCF for a 1B pic.twitter.com/Rmn9eaceT2
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 21, 2023
Mac O’Malley, INF, Naples, Uncommitted
‘24 Mac O’Malley leads off the 3rd with a single but Naples can’t get anything else going in the top half pic.twitter.com/uIaXl7TV4C
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 1, 2023
Matt Thompsen, OF, Parrish Community, Uncommitted
CF Matt Thompsen ‘24 singles on a line drive to RF to get things started for Parrish in the 6th pic.twitter.com/7oWnsthaN5
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) February 25, 2023
Will Rawls, 3B, Parrish Community, Uncommitted
2024 3B Will Rawls #UNcommited
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) February 25, 2023
The ‘24 continues to stay hot. Laces this ball to the wall in LCF for a 3B.
Short compact swing. Doesn’t get cheated in the box pic.twitter.com/jppJyYjrYN
John Lopez, SS, Taravella, Uncommitted
Johnny Lopez ‘25 - INF
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 20, 2023
6’0 160 Athletic
Mature approach w/ quick hands. Advanced barrel control.
Hitters hit ‼️
Gets his day started with a 1B to LF pic.twitter.com/l0OAeMfFc1
JUCO Bandits
Luke Geske, RHP, Out-of-Door Academy, Uncommitted
Luke Geske ‘24 - RHP
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 13, 2023
The @FSWBucs recruit was up to 90 in the 1st, settling in at 87-88
Showed an above average CH w/ late fade (1401 rpm)
Induced plenty of weak contact all night pic.twitter.com/ucjmDQMzlK
Austin Schrowe, LHP, Canterbury, FSW recruit
Austin Schrowe ‘23 - LHP@FSWBucs commit
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 1, 2023
6’0 165
Loved the pacing all game from Schrowe. Kept hitters off balance w/ up-tempo delivery. Loose clean AA. FB up to 89 with run. SL generated lots of swing & miss
FB: 87-89 (2512)
SL: 79-82 (2570)
4IP, 7Ks, 0R pic.twitter.com/4VSEtbB6pi
Cooper Scott, OF, IMG Academy, Tyler JC recruit
Cooper Scott ‘23 -OF
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) April 18, 2023
The @TJCBaseball recruit hits a grand slam here at IMG #PBRBombSquad? pic.twitter.com/6YJAX1USCU
And more
Malachi Costello, INF, Poly Prep (NY), Uncommitted
2023 Malachi Costello (NY) gets Poly Prep Country Day on the board here in the 3rd
— Connor Holdren (@ConnorHoldren_) March 30, 2023
Clears the bases with 2-outs to tie up the game at 3@PBRNewYork pic.twitter.com/hEwwGDEEKz
Giovanni Giulliani, OF, Out-of-Door Academy, Uncommitted
E1 | Venice 0, Out-of-Door Academy 2
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) April 13, 2023
• ‘23 Nevan Hernandez goes #PBRBombSquad ? to lead off the bottom half for @OdaBaseball
• ‘23 Giovanni Giuliani singles with 2-outs to extend the lead ? pic.twitter.com/kCBIIvTN0V
Rontrez Johnson, 1B, North Fort Myers, Uncommitted
‘23 Rontrez Johnson triples to CF to get North Fort Myers on the board pic.twitter.com/dDHqUV9SnR
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 22, 2023
Shay Dean, OF, Seffner Christian, Uncommitted
M7 | Seffner Christian 8, IMG Silver 3
— PBR Florida (@PBRFlorida) March 8, 2023
• Seffner Christian explodes for 5
• RBI 1B by Ethan Duncan
• RBI 2B by CJ Koenck
• RBI 3Bs from Shay Dean and Garrett Morgan
Dean 3B ???? pic.twitter.com/9zyoeBA9ht