The Preseason Classic has quickly become the top preseason event in the country. 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 featured not only high school teams, but Junior Colleges as well. Led by another first round pick in Brennan Malone, the 2019 teams saw 13 total players taken in the 2019 MLB Draft. 

2020 looks to be another impressive list of high-end talent from around the state. This year’s event will feature 9 of the top high school programs from around the state of Florida. 25 of the top 100 players from the PBR Florida Class of 2020 rankings will be in attendance. The teams that will be playing in the 2020 Preseason Classic are: American Heritage Plantation, East Ridge, IMG Academy, Miami Christian, Spruce Creek, Westminster Christian, Treasure Coast, Vero Beach, and Windermere.

Today, we will preview all the teams that will be in attendance, as well as revealing pitching rotations and batting practice schedules.

Schedule

Wednesday

4PM- Miami Christian v Spruce Creek

730PM- Vero Beach v American Heritage 

Thursday

4PM- Westminster v Spruce Creek 

730PM- Windermere v Miami Christian 

Friday

4PM- IMG v American Heritage

7PM- East Ridge v Westminster

Saturday

12PM- IMG v Treasure Coast 

3PM- Windermere v Vero Beach

BP & I/O Schedule

2/12 Game 1

2:00-2:25 BP (Spruce Creek)
2:30-2:55 BP (Miami Christian)
3:05-3:20 I/O (Home)
3:25-3:40 I/O (Away)

2/12 Game 2

10 minutes after Game 1
20 min BP (Vero Beach)
20 min BP (American Heritage)
10 min to clear field
15 min (I/O Home)
15 min (I/O Away)

2/13 Game 1

2:00-2:25 BP (Spruce Creek)
2:30-2:55 BP (Westminster)
3:05-3:20 I/O (Home)
3:25-3:40 I/O (Away)

2/13 Game 2

10 minutes after Game 1
20 min BP (Windermere)
15 min (I/O Home)
15 min (I/O Away)

2/14 Game 1

2:35-3:00 BP (IMG)
3:05-3:20 (I/O Home)
3:25-3:40 (I/O Away)

2/14 Game 2

10 minutes after Game 1
20 min BP (East Ridge)
15 min (I/O Home)
15 min (I/O Away)

2/15 Game 1

10:15-10:40 BP (Treasure Coast)
11:00-11:15 (I/O Home)
11:20-11:35 (I/O Away)

2/15 Game 2

No BP
I/O Home
I/O Away

Team Previews with Pitching Rotations

American Heritage Plantation

The Patriots come into the 2020 season with a loaded roster that includes 16 Division 1 commits. They have 4 players in the top 100 of the PBR Florida Class of 2020 rankings in OF Enrique Bradfield Jr (Vanderbilt), SS/RHP Jordan Carrion (Florida), 1B Gavin Casas (Vanderbilt), and Gio Ferraro (Miami). On the mound, Heritage is filled with talent from all different classes. They are led by seniors Carrion and Gavin Smith (Florida State), juniors Nick Anello (Miami), Justin Webster (Miami), and Devin Futrell (Vanderbilt). The Patriots also have three talented sophomores in Brandon Barriera (Vanderbilt), Evan Dobias (Virginia), and Brandon Gonsalves (UCF) to round out their rotation. American Heritage will be a fun team to watch this week and will be one of the toughest matchups at the Preseason Classic

Pitching Rotation

Game 1: Devin Futrell
Game 2: Brandon Barriera

East Ridge

The East Ridge Knights return 7 starters from a team that finished 15-9 overall and 7-1 in the district in 2019. They are led by two seniors who find themselves in the top 100 of the PBR Florida Class of 2020 rankings. RHP/OF Najer Victor (Florida State) comes in at #29, and OF Jahlani Rogers (FGCU) is #51. Victor is one of the most athletic two-way players in the country with 6.50 speed and a fastball that runs up to 95 mph. East Ridge’s lineup is anchored by Victor and Rogers, but also includes Kennesaw State commit, David Parker. The Knights have depth on the mound with returning seniors John Ball and Dwanye Maduro, who will be key parts to this team’s success in 2020.

Pitching Rotation

Najer Victor - 2 innings
Johnnie Ball - 2 innings
Dwanye Maduro - 1 inning
Dillon Gasparino - 1 inning
Jake Guthridge - 1 inning

IMG Academy

IMG has reloaded after losing a lot of talent from the 2019 season. They come into 2020 with 13 Division 1 commits on their roster. Leading the way on the mound are seniors Charez Butcher (Tennessee), Aaron Combs (Coastal Carolina), Corbin Morrison (Tennessee), and Heston Tole (Arkansas). Offensively, IMG has one of the most talented infields in the country with seniors Jake Gelof (Virginia), Kevin Karstetter (FAU), and Super 60 standout Mac Horvath (UNC) leading the way. They also have PBR Junior Future Games standout Stone Russell (Florida), who is one of the top freshman in the country. In the outfield are D1 commits James Wood (Miss St.) and Billy Underwood (Coastal Carolina). IMG should be one of the top teams in the entire country once again in 2020.

Pitching Rotation

Game 1: Aaron Combs
Game 2: Heston Tole

Miami Christian

Miami Christian comes into 2020 with 3 players in the top 100 of the PBR Florida Class of 2020 rankings. They are led by two hard throwing Miami commits in Alejandro Rosario (#5) and Carlos Rodriguez (#17). Both Rosario and Rodriguez reclassified to the 2020 class this past summer. Rosario has been up to 97 mph on the mound while Rodriguez has been up to 95 mph. Miami Christian’s offense is lead by Miami commit Jose Izarra, who comes in at #69 on the PBR Florida 2020 rankings. The Victors bring in fellow senior Robert Moya (Nova) to spark the offense. Miami Christian also brings in two key transfers offensively with juniors Alex Ulloa (Oklahoma St.) and Rene Lastres (Florida). With Rosario and Rodriguez on the mound, Miami Christian will be a tough team to beat in 2020.

Pitching Rotation

Game 1: Alejandro Rosario
Game 2: Carlos Rodriguez

Spruce Creek

Spruce Creek returns several talented starters from last season headlined by the #3 ranked player in the Florida 2020 class in OF Zac Veen (Florida). Veen is a can't miss prospect who should see his name called early in the 2020 MLB Draft. Complementing Veen in the Spruce Creek lineup are seniors Camden Traficante (Stetson), Zack Bennett (UCF), and Sal Grinstead (Embry-Riddle). Spruce Creek returns a strong group of junior hitters as well in Corey Robinson (Florida) and Evan Mastromauro (Stetson). On the mound, Spruce Creek is led by Brandon Neely (Florida), who is one of the top two-way players in the Florida 2021 class. Joining Neely is Florida State commit Preston Wetherell. Neely and Wetherell create a terrific pitching tandem that will tough to go up against. Expect another big year from Spruce Creek in 2020.

Pitching Rotation

Game 1: Brandon Neely, Lucas Mahlstedt, Evan Mastromauro
Game 2: Jarrett Maresco, Preston Wetherell, Brooks Byers

Westminster Christian

Westminster Christian has a talented roster that features 10 Division one commits. They have 4 players in the top 100 of the PBR Florida Class of 2020 rankings led by transfer Victor Mederos (Miami), who ranks 6th. Mederos will be their ace in 2020 as he runs his fastball up to 96 mph. Joining Mederos in the rotation are Jamar Fairweather (Miami) and Albert Hernandez (USF). Both pitchers sit in the low to mid 90’s and will create one of the best pitching trios in the country. Hernandez is an impact player on offense as well, and he is joined by fellow senior Lucas Costello (Wake Forest). Also on offense for Westminster Christian are junior catcher Jayden Melendez (FIU) and sophomore Sal Stewart (Vanderbilt), who is the #3 player in the Florida 2022 class. Look for Westminster Christian to be a force in 2020.

Pitching Rotation

Game 1: Victor Mederos
Game 2: Albert Hernandez

Treasure Coast

Treasure Coast comes into the 2020 Preseason Classic as one of the underdogs in the field. They finished 16-9 last season. Treasure Coast returns several starters from last season, but will be starting some underclassmen in 2020. On offense, they are led by Florida commit TJ Curd. Curd is a big, powerful bat who will be the driving force in this Treasure Coast lineup. He is ranked 38th in the PBR Florida Class of 2020 rankings. Also returning for Treasure Coast are the McBride brothers, Bryce and Blaze. Both committed to Daytona State, the McBride brothers will be key contributors both on the mound and at the plate in 2020. Treasure will look to some of their role players to step up in order for them to make a playoff run in 2020.

Pitching Rotation

Bryce McBride, Ronnie Walker, Jaden Paradoa, TJ Curd

Vero Beach

Vero Beach will have the home-field advantage in the 2020 Preseason Classic as they are the host team this year. They come into the 2020 season with a trio of talented southpaws headlining their rotation. Senior Nick Gorby (Texas Tech) is Vero Beach’s ace and is ranked 48th in the PBR Florida Class of 2020. His fastball has been up to 91 mph. Also in the rotation is OF/LHP KC Swords (Louisville), who will have a big impact in their lineup as well. Vero Beach has a rising sophomore in Jake Randolph (Miami) who will be one of the biggest x-factors on this team this year. Vero Beach will lean heavily on their pitching, but could be in for a strong season in 2020.

Pitching Rotation

Game 1: Nick Gorby, Hunter Parris
Game 2: KC Swords

Windermere

Windermere has one of the most talented rosters of all the teams in attendance. They have impact players from the 2020 class all the way to the 2023 class. The most notable name on this Windermere team is RHP Carson Montgomery (FSU). Montgomery is one of the top pitchers in the country and will be a high draft pick come June. Joining Montgomery in the rotation is junior Owen Flynn (UNC). The two of them make up one of the top one-two tandems in the country. Offensively, Windermere has a young lineup filled with some impact bats. Preseason All-State standout Gustavo Mendez is a big, powerful bat that stands out in the middle of their lineup. Joining Mendez is 2019 Future Gamer Damian Goulart and Miami commit Blake Cyr. Windermere will also have Alabama commit Dallas Dale in their lineup, and he should make a big impact in his freshman season. Packed with talent, Windermere should have no problem making a playoff run in 2020.

Pitching Rotation

Game 1: Carson Montgomery, Owen Fynn, TBD
Game 2: Jack Bellah, TBD

 

 

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