As we continue our Preseason Power25 High School Rankings, we would like to highlight the teams that did not make our Top 25 but took the time to fill out our Preseason Team Preview Questionnaire.

 

Team: Trinity Catholic
2020 Record: 5-3
FHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Tommy Bond

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Mason Scroggie, RHP/UTIL, 2021
Mark Gibas, C, 2021
Luke Wilkerson, RHP/1B/OF, 2022
Mathew Retamoza, RHP/SS/2B, 2022
Cole Stephens, RHP/3B/2B, 2022
Brandon Moberg, OF, 2022
Nolan Mason, RHP/UTIL, 2022

X-FACTOR

Luke Wilkerson - if he has a big year on the mound and at the plate this team could be really good.

Team Strengths

Pitching and Defense.

OUTLOOK

New additions:
Cole Gonzales - Very athletic, strong arm, and runs well.
Cade Hentz - good defender, speed at the top of the order, can set the table.
Nick Gonzalez - good defender, potential power.

TC has an abundance of talent especially in the Junior and Sophomore classes.  If they put it all together on the field it could be a strong couple of years.  This team is built on pitching and defense. They have an abundance of arms and should be exceptional defensively.  That will make them a tough group to deal with.

 

Team: Central (Brooksville)
2020 Record: 3-4
FHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Al Sorrentino

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Justin Gay, RHP, 2021 (PHSC)
Ryan Ebberup, RHP/SS/C, 2021
Brandon Leininger, C/RHP, 2022

X-FACTOR

Brandon Leininger - If he can solidify the catcher position Central should be pretty good.

Team Strengths

Pitching should be strong.  #1 & 2 starters are seniors.  PHSC commit Justin Gay should lead staff.

OUTLOOK

With many of the same players who won the district championship and went to the regional semi-finals in 2019, Central should have a strong season.  The strength of the team should be it's pitching starting with our two senior starting pitchers, Justin Gay and Ryan Ebberup.  The depth of the pitching staff will be a strength with as many as 8 other quality arms available.  The experience from the late season surge in 2019 should provide the senior laden team with the confidence it needs to compete with anybody.

 

Team: Plant City
2020 Record: 7-1
FHSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: Michael Fryrear

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Ryan Robinson, OF/LHP, 2021 (Saint Leo)
Colin Shultz, 1B/3B/RHP, 2022
Anthony Grasso, SS, 2022
Jace Stines, MIF/OF, 2022
Preston Rogers, RHP/OF, 2023
Adan Longoria, RHP/1B, 2023
Tanner Rollyson, LHP/1B, 2023
Wyatt Fordham, 3B/RHP, 2023
Chase Mobley, RHP/OF, 2024 (Florida State)

X-FACTOR

Ryan Robinson/Preston Rogers on the bump.  If these guys go...the team goes. 

Team Strengths

Young and Talented......they have 4 sophomore arms and 1 freshman arm and had a big transfer in the infield.  PC has a couple Sr. arms that will compete and get the job done. 

OUTLOOK

After losing 11 seniors this past year and only returning 4 starters.....the young and very talented Raiders will look to compete with a  very tough district and a loaded Hillsborough county this year. They will rely on young arms as well as some experience with two senior arms.  Everyone keeps saying Plant City is rebuilding but the young Raiders are going to play with a chip on their shoulder to prove everyone wrong and defend its title.  They have a great defense with multiple options in their line up.  Coach Fryrear has done a great job of building Plant City and will continue to do so with a bright future ahead with this young group

 

Team: Riverview
2020 Record: 5-4
FHSAA Class: 7
Head Coach: Jeremy Schmidt 

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Karson Ligon, RHP,  2021 (Miami)
Jakobi Davis, OF, 2021 (Cornell)
Cole Griffith, C, 2021 (Polk State)
Chris Barr, SS, 2022 (Army)
Pip Smalley, 3B, 2022 (Stetson)
Clay Russin, 1B, 2022 (SCF) 

X-FACTOR

RHP Karson Ligon 

Team Strengths

Experienced lineup 

OUTLOOK

The 2021 Riverview Rams return 6 starters 5 who have committed to play college baseball. University of Miami Commit Karson Ligon will lead the Rams pitching staff with Top 2022 reliever Nick Garcia. The Rams will have an experienced lineup mixed up of speed (CF Jakobi Davis and SS Chris Barr) and Power in the middle of the lineup led by (C Cole Griffith, 3B Pip Smalley and 1B Clay Russin). Key additions: P/C/OF Kyle Upman. Key losses: RHP Jr Brandon Viera (Tommy John).

 

Team: Fort Myers
2020 Record: 7-2
FHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Kyle Burchfield

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Will Goldman, C, 2021 (Glenville State)
Zachary Root, LHP/OF/1B, 2022 (Florida)
Jake D’Altrui, SS, 2022 (Flagler)

X-FACTOR

Bullpen

Team Strengths

Bullpen Depth, very strong 2022 class.

OUTLOOK

Fort Myers High is anchored by a very strong junior class & deep bullpen. An overall well rounded team. No huge superstars, but no weak players on the roster.

 

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