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The 2018 Preseason Classic, which featured six high school teams, was attended by more than 130 professional scouts over the three day event. 2018 saw a pair of first rounders in Mason Denaburg and Carter Stewart throw back-to-back. Also featured in the first Preseason Classic was 2rd round pick Lyon Richardson, as well as Brandon Howlett, David Luethje, Elijah Cabell, Nick Pogue, Brady Allen and Noah Dickerson who were all taken in the 2018 MLB Draft as well.

The 2019 Preseason Classic, which will be held at IMG Academy this year, looks to follow up on the major success of the 2018 Classic. 2019 will not only see four top high school programs, it will also feature four top junior college programs.  Today we take a look at some of the top players on each team as well as their pitching rotations for the week.

High School

IMG Academy

While IMG does not compete in district play under FHSAA, the team does follow all of the guidelines and the talent is undeniable.IMG will compete on the national stage at three prominent events, including the NHSI in Cary, NC. Seeing as they can not compete for a state title, these events will prove vital to competing at the highest level. With 18 DIvision 1 recruits on the roster, this is by far IMG’s most talented team on paper. Led by the No 1 overall prospect in the state on the mound in RHP Brennan Malone, the Ascenders have six players in the Top 50 of the 2019 Florida State rankings and overall the depth of talent is impressive. The offensive firepower will be led by Rece Hinds, Josh Rivera, William Bartlett and many more. Tommy Benson, who registered a record breaking 111 mph exit velocity at this years Super60 has been a riser offensively as well. MG will also feature a pair of infielders in No 5 and No 14, with Jax Cash and Kyle Westfall also coming in the top 50.

While the pitching staff is loaded with talent, including top overall prospect in the state, Brennan Malone, Kendall Williams is equally as talented and adds high-end depth in the pitching rotation. Proved to be a dominant force his junior year and has continued to make big strides heading into 2019. Overall, on paper, this should be one of the most talented teams in the country. As this is the first year a lot of these players will play together and with there being so much talent, it will be fun to watch how they compete as a team. Overall, the talent can not be denied and such, making them our Preseason Power25 No 1 team going into 2019.

Pitching Rotation

Tuesday vs Central Pointe
Jimmy Starnes

Thursday vs TNXL
Brennan Malone
Kendall Williams

TNXL Academy

With 13 committed players, 12 of which being Division 1, TNXL is another one of the more talented teams on paper. Leading the way on the mound for the Ducks is No 12, RHP Joseph Charles. A trio of Florida State commits will lead the offense in Doug Kirkland, Tyrell Brewer and Daniel Andzel. The top player in the 2022, Elijah Green class will also be an offensive player to watch. TNXL also has RHP Hamilton Martinez, RHP Benjamin Chestunutt and 2020 RHP Jackson Nezuh to bolster a deep and talented pitching rotation. Charles has been up to 95 and better early on this spring and the young talent will be fun to evaluate against other high level players. Overall, there is present, high-end draft talent and future draft level talent to follow on TNXL Academy.

Pitching Rotation

Tuesday vs Palm Harbor
Jackson Nezuh
Hamilton Martinez
Casey Daiss

Thursday vs IMG
Joe Charles
Ben Chestnutt
Matthew DeVarona

Palm Harbor

Palm Harbor’s top prospects are the Mink twins, Hunter and Tanner Mink. Palm Harbor returns almost all of their starting lineup from their 2018 9A-8 district championship team. The Hurricanes made it to the regional semifinals last season, and twice in the last 3 years. They have a very deep pitching staff that includes 8 senior arms taking the mound. Led by the Mink twins, the rotation will be bolstered by St Leo commit, LHP Andy Booth. The Canes will have very athletic and versatile players all over the field on defense. At the plate is where Palm Harbor's biggest strength should be as we progress into the second half of the season. The offense will be led by Tanner Mink and

Pitching Rotation

Tuesday vs TNXL
Hunter Mink

Wednesday vs Central Pointe
Andy Booth

Pen
Tanner Mink
Mitch Farris
Channing Young
Nick Ficarrotta

Central Pointe

Central Pointe’s top 2019 prospect is outfielder Justin Tejada. Tejada is a position player on the rise. An above average runner, and has shown above average bat speed and power potential, he will be a player to watch against these high-end arms. Central Pointe has five committed players and one of their youngest players may be another of the more intriguing in Japhet Rosado. Overall, a talented and athletic team with a lot of talent to follow heading into spring.

Pitching Rotation

Tuesday vs IMG
Kevin Melendez
Melvin Cotto
Abdiel Rivera

Wednesday vs Central Pointe
Iasias Hernandez
Michael Marrero
Dylan Luna

Junior College

Seminole State

Commitments

Marvin Guzman - Committed Nova Southeastern (Starting Wednesday vs St Pete)
Haden Erbe - Committed to West Virginia
Kobe Barnum –Committed to Arkansas Little Rock
Louis Davenport- Committed to Eastern Kentucky
Tim Dixon - Committed to Arkansas Little Rock
Kelyn Fox - Committed to FAMU
Chris Macca -  Committed to Wingate
DJ Morland - Committed to Palm Beach Atlantic
Kenny Rodriguez - Committed to Arkansas Little Rock
Joe Sostre- Committed to Arkansas Little Rock
Jake Zarrello -Committed to Stephen F Austin
Jakob Barker- Committed to Valdosta State

The Raiders head coach Mike Nicholson is excited about the 2019 campaign.  

“This group has shown great promise throughout the fall and team chemistry has been outstanding.”

Pitching depth will be one of the Raiders strengths this season, with a strong group of sophomore arms leading the way.  Right handers Haden Erbe, Louis Davenport and Jakob Barker leading the charge. Top returning pitcher from the 2018 season is Lefty Kelyn Fox (5-1).

Khalil Wilson, Chris Macca and Marvin Guzman round out the experienced arms out of the pen.

Six sophomore position players anchor the starting lineup for the Raiders, led by 2 All Conference selections, 1B Kobe Barnum and RF Kenny Rodriguez. Other top hitters, Joe Sostre and Tim Dixon fill out the top of the Raider line up.

We have a chance to be very good defensively, being solid up the middle with  

Catcher Jake Zarrello, SS Eddie Surinach, 2b Travis Sankovich and CF Justin Holmes leading the way for the Raiders.

State College of Florida

Commitments
Hunter Perdue- Florida State (Will start Thursday vs Chipola)
Josh Crouch- UCF
Chris Holcomb- Tulane
Josh Bonynge- UNC Pembroke

Pitching has been the strength of the team as starting pitchers Hunter Perdue, Aaron Brown, Nick Long and Corey Ireson have been very good.  Closer Josh Bonynge has not given up a run yet and relievers Chris Holcomb, Grady Martin, Logan Frasier and Cole Beavin have all pitched well.  Our defense has been very good with shortstop Shane Shifflett committing only 1 error in our first 10 games. Brian Dillingham and Tyler Acosta has led the offense which continues to improve.  We have good team speed. Overall, we have played one of the toughest schedules in the state

Chipola

Commitments
Ivan Johnson- South Carolina

The back-to-back National Champions have gotten off to a slow start at 4-4.  The highlighted win thus far has been against Walters State, which took place over the weekend that honored the 2018 National Championship team.

Key contributors at the plate for the Indians have been Ivan Johnson, Jordan Anderson, Cameron Gray, and Julio Carrion.  Johnson is hitting .444 with one double, one homerun, four RBI, and two stolen bases. Anderson is carrying a .382 batting average, which includes one double, five RBI, and two stolen bases. Gray is hitting .375 with a double, homerun, and seven RBI.  Carrion is hitting at a .360 clip with three extra base hits, including one homerun, and seven RBI. As a team, Chipola has a slash line of .324/.404/.433.

On the bump for the Indians, Andrew Baker is leading the staff with seven innings pitched, allowing five hits with six strikeouts and no earned runs. Matthew Dickey has pitch five and two-thirds innings across three appearances. Dickey is sitting on a 1.59 ERA, allowing just one hit with five strikeouts. Logan Jarosz is another right-hander with two games started. Jarosz has six innings pitched, allowing four hits, two earned runs, six strikeouts and no walks.  Collectively as a staff, opponents are hitting .186.

St Petersburg

Commitments
Quinton Martinez – Appalachian State (Starting Wednesday vs Seminole State)
Dustin Harris – Florida Atlantic
Dennis Filipovski – Monmouth
Rylee Buckmaster – Valdosta State
Mike Novak – Spring Hill
Jeremy Adams – Valdosta State

Titans baseball is off to a slow start this season but competitive in each ball game.  Beat up some with early injuries the team is looking to be healthy and hit its peak performance come the start of conference play.

Overall, there will be eleven players who made the initial Florida Junior College Top 50 prospects list.

Below you can find the schedule for the event.

Also, Scouts, please fill out the registration form so we have everything you will need. Thanks

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