Prep Baseball Report

Top Prospect Games UCF- Top 5 and Best of the Rest


PBR Florida
PBR Florida Staff

The Top Prospect Games at UCF on August 7th was filled with some of the top uncommitted underclass talent from across the state. Players took part in a pro-style workout followed by game play. You can take a look at the top statistical leaders HERE and today we look at the Top 5 followed by the Best of the Rest.

Top 5

 

Hector Mangual SS / 2B / Hagerty, FL / 2021

Missouri commit. Athletically built was at 6-foot-3, 160-pounds, has continued to grow into frame, adding inches and significant muscle structure with more to come as he matures. Ran a 7.09 laser-timed 60. Defensively, showcased smooth actions, used his long frame well to range to both sides, quick and clean on transfers, quick to release. Arm works short with a low draw, plays at multiple slots, 84 mph across the infield. Offensively, balanced setup, long, hanging leg stride, hands start back and load further, remains balanced. Smooth swing, barrel path is level through the zone, drives the ball gap-to-gap 85 mph exit velocity. 

 

 

Blake Tipmore 3B / RHP / Oxbridge Academy, FL / 2021

A stocky, 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Tipmore was one of the bigger all-around standouts of the day. There is present athleticism with the strength, as defensively he worked under control with quality footwork and sound hands. Has potential to play third or second. Really stood out offensively, where he had the top exit velocity of the day at 95 mph. The swing is simple, compact and level through the zone. Uses the lower half well to stay balanced and drive through with the backside. Present gap-to-gap power and feel to hit with a single and an RBI in the game. On the mound, he was solid as well. The arm is compact and quick, and fastball worked 84-86 mph. Overall, a super utility player who could make an impact in multiple ways at the next level.  

 

 

Hayden Gustavson 3B / RHP / Fort White, FL / 2023

A physical 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. A utility player, who caught, played infield and pitched. Behind the plate, he showed solid actions and a sound receiver with pop times in the 2.06-2.13 range. In the infield, he worked under control, with sound hands and topped at 79 mph. Very physical and some stiffness with the youth, but really stands out as being a strong young player. But overall, offensively he jumps. The physicality plays, as he has present bat speed and strength. There is some length, but should improve as he faces better pitching. Showed a feel for the barrel, aggressive to the pull side and future power potential. On the mound, the arm strength played up some where he was 77-83 mph and had some heaviness. One of the top young players to watch moving forward.  

 

 

Stewart Puckett SS / 3B / DeLand, FL / 2022

Listed at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, but looks to have a longer frame than that. Defensively, there is some stiffness in the actions, hands work, but would need to work on first step and range to stick at short. Most likely a third baseman in the future. The best tool is his bat and will continue to carry him. The left-handed hitter has a knack for the barrel. Front foot is pre-set inward and has a toe-tap load, but manages to stay very balanced with the lower half, using it well, while remaining simple with the top half. The swing has a slight uphill path, aggressively to the pull side with present bat speed and strength. Very high offensive ceiling to follow. 

 

 

Dominic Flacco OF / LHP / New Smyrna Beach, FL / 2021

A loose, athletic 6-foot, 150-pound left-handed two-way prospect with plenty of room to fill out, high upside, will continue to see gains in velocity with maturity. Defensively, arm showed plus carry from the outfield at 92 mph, works long and loose, kept throws true and on-line. Athletic defender, runs through the ball utilizing a crow hop. Offensively, balanced setup, early stride, limited load, remains balanced. Predominately a pull-side hitter, barrel is early through the zone in an uphill path, 84 exit velocity. Ran a 7.42 60. On the mound, arm works long and loose, shows low on the back-side before completing a full arm swing to an over-the-top to high ¾ slot. Drop and drive delivery, strides towards third base landing open, finishes aggressively crossing over. Fastball sat 82-85 with armside run. Curveball, showed depth with a 2/8 shape, 70-74. 

 

 

Best of the Rest

 

Jeremy Cardona - Diaz 2B / SS / Harmony, FL / 2022

5-foot-6, 146-pound left-handed hitting middle infielder. Offensively, balanced setup, short toe-tap stride, hands start high, barrel wrap on load.  Line drive type hitter with developing gap-to-gap approach, mostly level barrel path through the zone, 80 mph exit velocity. Defensively, smooth actions, short, loose arm action, works from multiple slots, 81 across the infield. Plays through the ball with soft hands, quick and clean actions, presently a high defender.   

 

Keegan Jones SS / RHP / Palm Harbor, FL / 2021

Long, lanky 6-foot-2, 155-pound right-handed two-way prospect, projectable. Offensively, balanced setup, ong stride, hands load back, keeps weight on back. Line drive hitter, keeps hands inside, uses predominantly middle/pull, 74 mph exit velocity. Ran a 7.48 60. Defensively, long arm action to an over-the-top slot, kept throws around bag, 77 mph across the infield. Fields position athletically, funnels to midsection with soft hands, clean footwork. On the mound, long arm action, over-the-top slot, repeats. Tall and fall delivery, works on-line, lands open, finishes crossing over. Gets good angle on all pitches. Fastball sat 73-76, flashed sink.  

 

Adam Parzych OF / 3B / Lincoln, FL / 2022

6-foot, 180-pound, strong, athletic right-handed hitting outfielder and third base, has the frame to put on significant muscle, fleet-footed, 6.89 runner. He looked to have been moving with more freedom and ease throughout the day than our last look. Defensively, long arm action, unorthodox, throws carried with accuracy, 79 from the outfield, 76 across the infield, both of which the actions looked more fluid and easy. Fields the ball naturally in the outfield, playing through it, soft hands and clean actions. On the infield, soft hands, fields out front and transfers cleanly. Offensively, wide, crouching setup, hands start back, short load, picks up leg on stride, remains balanced. Barrel path is level through the zone, drives the ball to the middle/pull, 84 mph exit velocity.  

 

Dillon Cerone 3B / RHP / Nova, FL / 2021

5-foot-10, 160-pound left-handed hitting two-way prospect, medium size frame with strength throughout. Offensively, balanced setup, long reverse toe-tap stride, gains separation on load, remains balanced. Looks to elevate the ball to the pull-side, drives it with quick barrel speed, 86 exit velocity. Ran a 7.64 60. Defensively, showcased athletic, quick hands, fields the ball softly out front, quick to transfer. Arm plays short and loose from a low ¾ slot, 73 across the infield. On the mound, long arm action with a short tab on the back-side, continuous motion to a high ¾ slot. Short strider, works on-line, lands square, finishes crossing over. Fastball sat 75-78. Curveball, 12/6 shape, gradual break,   

 

Aidan Dorrell LHP / 1B / Steinbrenner, FL / 2022

Stands at 6-foot, 155 pounds. The young left-hander was very impressive. He worked a clean, 1-2-3 inning in his first inning and struck out three in two innings. He drives off of the rubber with the lower half, has a compact, clean and quick arm. Fastball sat mostly 78-82 mph, but has some late life and would expect to make a jump. Curveball worked 62-63 mph and showed quality shape. Overall, really like the upside as he matures and makes an inevitable jump.  

 

Benjamin Murrell 1B / OF / Olympia, FL / 2021

6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting first baseman, strength throughout frame, continues to add muscle to frame. Offensively, balanced setup, hanging leg stride, loads weight and hands onto back leg. Takes a middle/pull approach, driving the ball with an uphill barrel path, relies heavily on timing, inconsistent at-times, if he stays timed up has the chance to be a power threat. Defensively, arm works clean on the back-side coming out of a high ¾ slot. Moves well at first base, keeps the ball in front of him, 75 mph across the diamond. Ran a 7.35 60.

 

John Gibas C / 1B / Trinity Catholic, FL / 2021

At 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, he has present twitchy athleticism behind the plate. Flexible, with loose hips and ankles. Moved well to block, receive and throw. Had pop times in the 2.06-2.36 range. In the infield, he has a quick first step and works with some tempo and athleticism. Offensively, he has a leg kick trigger and really gets into his strong lower half. Has some present bat speed and loose wrists and has some upside as he continues to mature and add strength.  

 

Ty Grover 2B / 3B / Springstead , FL / 2023

Stands at 5-foot-10, 168 pounds, he is physical for his age. Still growing into the body, and shows up with some stiffness defensively, The hands work and should continue to create more rhythm with maturity. Offensively, has some stiffness in the leg kick load, but the strength plays. Some steepness in the path, but had an ability to find the barrell and showed some all around upsidew with maturity. 

 

Sean Melanson RHP / 1B / Northeast, FL / 2021

Stands at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds. Defensively, is a solid defender at first. Offensively, he has a toe tap load, but stays level through the zone. Has some length, but the present strength helps make up for it. Some rotational action and could benefit to get th hands working more freely, but the strength plays and had an exit velocity of 88 mph. On the mound he worked 78-82 mph with some depth and deception. 

 

Jacob Crews RHP / OF / TNXL Baseball Academy, FL / 2021

Very physical 6-foot-5, 225 pound right-hander. The fastball has a lot of heaviness and worked 80-84 mph with some downhill plane. He works slightly crossfire and uses the lower half well. Can cut himself off at times, but when he gets to extension the ball comes out of the hand well and the 74-76 mph slider has more depth, striking out two in two innings pitched. Overall, a ton of present strength that is still growing into and will be a follow going forward. 

 

Matthew Morelli OF / SS / Venice, FL / 2021

Stands at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, has some long arms and could see him grow in the future. Defensively, he seems a bit more natural in the outfield, where he is athletic through the ball. In the infield, he works under control with sound actions. His left-handed bat is his best tool. It is simple and level through the zone and translate to game where he stayed on the barrel with a single and an RBI. A solid left-handed bat to follow. 

 

Matthew Delle Donne OF / 1B / Bartow, FL / 2021

A long-limbed 5-foot-11, 145 pounds, he has a very projectable frame. Defensively, he has some present athleticism as he moves well in the outfield and throws had natural carry at 81 mph and were accurate. Offensively, he is upright throughout the swing. It is simple and has some present bat speed with an exit velocity of 85 mph. He could see a jump as he learns to really get into hit lower half in the swing. He clears the hips well, but has more strength to access in the lower half. There is present leverage and with the bat speed and projectable frame could hit for some power in the future. 

 

Jackson Unice 1B / 3B / Calvary Christian , FL / 2021

A strong 6-foot, 188 pounds. Defensively, showed sound defense at first, as the feet worked well around the bag with some present athleticism. Offensively, he starts slightly open and has a simple, level and compact swing. The strength translates and he consistently stayed on the barrell with line drives from gap to gap. Had the second highest exit velocity of the day at 94 mph and has real power potential as he continues to develop as a hitter. 

 

Isaiah Myles RHP / SS / Alonso, FL / 2022

Standing at 5-foot-7, 140 pounds, Myles has continues to mature physically and looked presently stronger. Ran a 7.14 60 yard dash and there is more quick twitch athleticism. The athleticism plays defensively where in the infield he has a quick first step and is a rangy infielder with a solid arm topping at 82 mph. He also played outfield in the game, where he ranged straight back in deep center to make an impressive play. Offensively, he has quick hands and present bat speed The swing is short and level through the zone. On the mound he worked 80-82 mph with a quick arm. Overall athlete with a high ceiling. 

 

Alexander de la Portilla LHP / OF / Olympia High School, FL / 2022

Standing at 5-foot-9, 145 pounds, he has long limbs and looked primed for a growth spurt. He worked from the stretch only and worked from a clean 3/4 slot. The fastball ranged from 72-74 mph with some arm side run. Also showed a 60-61 mph curveball and a 67 mph changeup. Showed some present feel and should make some jumps with added strength and maturity. 

 

Jake Nolte RHP / OF / Bloomingdale, FL / 2022

The 5-foot-10, 155 pound right-hander worked with a clean inning and pounded the strike zone. The delivery is up-tempo, with some deception, with the arm swing a bit off-line, but does show a feel to pitch. The fastball ranged from 76-80 mph and curveball sat 67-68  mph. He has a quick arm and feel and could make a jump with strength. 

 

Ronald Hopper C / 2B / Eustis , FL / 2021

A lean 6-foot, 165 pounds. Behind the plate, while he will need to improve the catch to release to lower his pop times, he showed above average feel to block and receive during the game with present athleticism. Offensively, he stands tall and open. He works out over the front foot, can create some steepness in the path, but also creates significant leverage with his present well above average bat speed of 93 mph. There is present athleticism and tools and is a player to follow.

 

Cade Haddix SS / 3B / Winter Park, FL / 2021

A projectable 6-foot, 170 pound. Defensively, is upright and hands work. There is some athleticism and could work with more rhythm through the ball. Is a solid defender who you culd see continuing to grow and sliding to third base. Stands out offensively where he is strong with a simple swing that produced a 90 mph exit velocity. Path is uphill and looks to lift and pull the ball. There is bat speed and strength and overall simple swing that should continue to play at a high level. On the mound, it is simple and repeatable, could benefit from more extension, but worked at 75-76 mph. 

 

Jaylin Tose' 1B / RHP / Braden River, FL / 2021

A strong 6-foot-1, 225 pounds. Defensively, he showed sound actions at first base. Offensively, he has a small leg kick and a short stride. Could get more strength with more separation and work with the lower half. The path is level and the present strength plays with an exit velocity of 88 mph.

 

Carlos Cordero 2B / SS / Central pointe Cristian academy , FL / 2021

At 5-foot-10, 165 pounds he has a stocky, athletic frame with some quick twitch. Ran the days best, 6.82 60 yard dash and the athleticism plays defensively. He has a quick first step, overall above average range. Works through the ball with rhythm and topped at 85 mph with a quick release. Offensively, he continues to work with rhythm with a small leg kick and simple separation. The swing is level and has present bat to ball skills. Overall a twitchy athlete with upside all around. 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
High-Speed Video Add-On FL 05/21  
Florida ProCase FL 09/07 IMG Academy
Prospect Scout Day - Southern Conference FL 09/18 East Florida State College - Bruce Bochy Field
Fall Championship Uncommitted Combine FL 09/20 IMG Academy
Prospect Scout Day - Panhandle Conference FL 09/24 Northwest Florida State College
Prospect Scout Day - Mid-Florida Conference FL 09/25 St. John River State
Fall Top Prospect Games (Invite Only) FL 10/19 Jackie Robinson Ballpark
Improve My Profile with Game Video (Florida) FL 02/26