Prep Baseball Report

Updated and Expanded Florida Class of 2019 Rankings: Risers


Mike Maerz
Director of Florida Operations/Area Scout

Yesterday we released the Updated and Expanded Florida Class of 2019 Rankings which included a number of jumps made by several players into the Top 25 after standout spring seasons and strong starts to the summer. This update also featured the rankings expanding to 200 players.

Today we will highlight five of the biggest risers who made a jump into the Top 25 and will be strong follows throughout the summer. Their full breakdown along with video is below:

Tyler Owens RHP / Trinity Catholic , FL / 2019

06/16/18- Making a jump from 17 to 7 is the Florida State recruit. The athletic right-hander has a very quick arm and velocity has made some big jumps, holding in the 93-94 touching 96 mph. There is still some offline length in the arm swing, but he has shown the ability to separate on time and repeat. The arm is extremely quick and shows a tight slider at 81-84 mph. He can scatter command at times, but there is a lot of athleticism and a huge upside with the arm speed and strength combo.

 


Connor Walsh SS / 2B / Niceville, FL / 2019

06/13/18- Moving up from 29 to 11 is the Mississippi recruit. He is a plus runner and listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. The shortstop is athletic and rangy. He is light on his feet, works with rhythm and present above average athleticism. Offensively, he has strength in the lower half. There is some steepness in the path at times, but shows bat-to-ball skills and above average bat speed. There is gap-to-gap power with more potential with athletic/strength combo. Shows pull side pop. High ceiling and high 2019 follow.

 


Paul Labriola LHP / Cardinal Mooney, FL / 2019

05/20/18- Making a jump from 86 to 14 is the Clemson recruit. The 6-foot-5, 185 pound left hander has made some big stride and may have been the biggest standout on the mound. The long limbs have started to work more in sync and it translated to high number of strikes. Struck out the side in his first inning, worked mostly 87-88 mph with arm side run at the bottom of the zone. Curveball was much improved, ranging from 67-68 mph, it has some hard, late depth and consistently threw the pitch for strikes. Overall, the mechanics have continue to improve and the stuff is trending upward, with much more to come. Will be interesting to see how many jumps he makes this summer.

 


Carson Palmquist LHP / Riverdale, FL / 2019

05/20/18- Moving up from 26 to 19 is the Miami recruit. At 6-foot-4, 175 pounds he is lanky, long and very projectable. He throws from a tough 3/4 slot. There is some slight crossfire, which may add to the deception, but the fastball, while sitting mostly 86-88 generated nine swing and misses in two innings. It had late, riding life and was rarely squared up. Showed an above average changeup at time at 79-80 mph and a sweeping slider at 73-74 mph. As he learns to stay taller on his backside and gains strength, the velo will make jumps and has a very high ceiling.

 


Christian Pregent C / Father Lopez, FL / 2019

05/20/18- Making a jump from 76 to 24 is the Stetson recruit. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he looks longer, leaner and stronger than that. May have had the best all around day from workout to game. Defensively, the catch and throw ability has really improved. Simple, clean, quick transfer and throws had carry ranging in the 1.9-1.96. Offensively, he has a very simple swing, staying in the lower half while clearing the backside and generating above average bat speed. The bat to ball skills have been there, but the power and strength have made big strides. Has leverage in the swing and stayed on the barrel both in BP and in the game. Looks to be a big riser heading into the summer.