PBR FL 2018 ProCase- Infielders

May 28, 2018
Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director

Sunday, May 20, Prep Baseball Report hosted its third annual Florida ProCase at IMG Academy in Bradenton. Since launching in 2016, the invite-only showcase has quickly become one of the most prestigious events for area juniors giving them a platform to perform in front of the scouting community as they head into their final offseason before their senior year. The previous two ProCase events have heralded some of the state’s top prep prospects in the following year’s draft.

Sam McMillan and Freddy Tarnok are two of the five players from the inaugural showcase selected in the 2017 draft, and Mason Denaburg, Andres Antonini, Robby Martin, and Luca Tresh are all examples of last year’s ProCase-ers preparing themselves for next month’s draft. Denaburg, namely, is candidate to be taken in the first round and is presently ranked No. 9 on our PBR Draft Board, that includes both college and high school draft-eligible prospects.

This year may have herald one of the deepest pools of talent in the events short, but very successful, history. Over the course of the next week we will break down every single player as follows: Outfielder, Infielders, Catchers, Two-Way Players, Pitchers. We will then announce the top uncommitted and top overall performers. Today, we take a look at the infielders.

Jorel Ortega SS / 3B / Spanish River Community, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 63 / POS: 13

Tennessee recruit, While the 6-foot-1, 195 pound shortstop stands out physically, apart from the plus arm and topping out at 94 mph across the infield, he doesn’t necessarily jump out in a pro-style setting. Although, it was a different story come game time. He consistently was in the right place both at second and short, showing surprising range and natural instincts to be in the right spot, playing with a great energy. The strong arm really plays in the game as he gets rid of the ball quickly and with carry. Offensively, he works with rhythm and is simple and compact. He stayed on the barrel during he game and shows some power potential. He showed the ability to stick at short, but will be a very interesting follow to see if the tools continue to play up in the game. Overall, he is a solid athlete who can be an above average defender and has offensive upside.

Tyrell Brewer SS / 2B / TNXL Academy, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 50 / POS: 9 OverallRank: 263 / POS: 38

Florida State recruit. Standing 5-foot-9, 145 pounds, he is one of the smaller players in attendance, but did not stop him from being one of the scouts favorites. While the tools are solid, where he really made his impact was in the game. He plays the game with an infectious energy, playing up tempo, but not rushed or with effort. He best tool is his defense, where he is an above average to plus defender at second. He plays with a bounce, a quick first step and very hands and footwork. Offensively, the swing is simple compact and level. While he will need to continue to get stronger, the swing works and will continue to improve with strength. Overall, you love the way he plays the game and is a type of player that helps clubs win ball games.

Caleb Cali 3B / SS / Montverde Academy, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 53 / POS: 4 OverallRank: 304 / POS: 16

Uncommitted, standing at a thicker and stronger 6-foot-3, 200 pounds than we have seen in the past. He has made some big strides all around and will not be uncommitted long. Defensively, he is an above average defender at third, shows lateral agility and topped out at 84 mph across the infield. Offensively, he has become much more compact and simple. A short leg kick he drives through with the backside well. There can be some steepness in the path, but there is more strength and present hit ability which translated to a hard hit single in the game. Has continued to improve and trending in the right direction with a high ceiling. Would expect not to be uncommitted long and have some pro potential.

Keniel De Leon SS / 2B / Central Pointe Christian Academy, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 54 / POS: 11 OverallRank: 313 / POS: 50

Uncommitted, standing at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, he has continued to become leaner while maintaining strength, especially in the lower half. His run time is average at 7.17, but the athleticism plays up in the middle as he has a quality first step and shows ability to range to both hand and glove side. He really trusts his hands and the feet work in sync, working with rhythm to and through the ball. The footwork and frame seem to project better at third, where he projects as a well above average defender. The offense is much improved. The swing has become much more compact and showed well in both BP and the game. He took a polished BP, working from gap-to-gap with hard line drives. This translated to single and a barreled out to right field. As the bat continues to progress and becomes more consistent, should see added power. Defense is very solid and offense is trending in the right direction.

J.J. Gonzalez SS / 3B / Winter Haven, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 51 / POS: 10 OverallRank: 286 / POS: 43

UCF recruit, he has a long-limbed, projectable frame at 6-foot-3, 170 pounds. Ran a 8.97 60 and has long athletic strides. Defensively, there are present tools. His hands work and has athleticism. He could work with more tempo and quicken the transfer, which would allow him to utilize the athleticism. There are a lot of tools and could make some big strides. Same goes offensively. The long arms create some length, but also create easy leverage and power potential. The swing is more line-drive centric, but there is bat speed and a lot of room to fill out and add strength to the frame. High ceiling with a lot of projection.

Carmine Lane 3B / RHP / American Heritage Delray, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 72 / POS: 6

Uncommitted, A physical 6-foot-1, 185 pounds he has a strong lower half. Defensively, he shows well above average defensive actions at third. He has a natural feel for the position, ability to make all of the plays needed to stick there with a solid arm and throws have carry. Offensively, he stands tall and really trusts his hands. There is some length and can lose balance at times, but there is present bat speed and strength. When he stays in the lower half and stays balanced there is present power with an exit velocity of 92 mph. Has also pitched in the past and shown some intriguing potential. Overall, there is strength with some projection and upside with present tools.

Luis Ruiz 3B / SS / Brito Miami, FL / 2019

Rankings StateRank: 84 / POS: 8

Uncommitted, stands at 5-foot-11, 160 pounds. Defensively, he continued to show rhythm and above average hands defensivley. He has some present athleticism, may end up playing better at second, but should be an average to above average defender at the next level. Offensively, he conitues to improve and add strength. While he wil need to get stronger, he has present bat to ball skills and shows ability to stay on the barrel, which trasnlated to a single in the game. There are present tools and with added strength, should continue to improve.