MARIETTA,
Ga. – Scouts crowded around field one at the East Cobb Baseball
Complex to watch FTB Chandler play on Monday. FTB is a travel
baseball club from Florida focusing on creating a family-like
environment for the kids, and gives them opportunities they wouldn’t
normally have.
The
FTB website reads, “Chemistry, and believing that your teammates
are family is the determining factor in winning games.”
The
team is comprised of 2014 and 2015 graduates from Florida with a few
out-of-staters sprinkled in. It’s no secret that FTB Chandler is
loaded with great pitchers, and they made sure to show it off during
their game on Monday against the Taconic Rangers. Each inning a new
pitcher took the mound and was able to show off his stuff.
David
Peterson, who pitched the second inning, struck out two batters.
Jordan Gubelman and Cre Finfrock also struck out two during their
single innings ow work. Hunter Van Horn came out in the fourth
inning, and like Peterson and Gubelman, held the Rangers hitless in
his frame.
The
Rangers came around in the seventh inning and were able to score one
run off Nicholas Gordon; however, he still managed to strike three
batters out to end the game. Five of the seven FTB Chandler pitchers
had a peak velocity in this game of at least 90 mph, with Finfrock
dialing it up to 94 while Gordon, Cobi Johnson and Sean Reid-Foley
each touching 93 mph.
Reid-Foley
started things off, giving FTB a good start by striking out the side
in the top of the first. Reid-Foley is a 2014 graduate from
Jacksonville, Fla. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound right-hander is ranked No.
24 in the Perfect Game high school class of 2014 national rankings.
He’s ranked No. 4 overall in Florida.
“That’s
exciting, I didn’t know that until now,” said Reid-Foley on being
ranked No. 24 in the nation. “It’s a great accomplishment to be
in the top 25 or (even) the top 100 in America for Perfect Game so
I’m pretty happy about it.”
Reid-Foley
made a verbal commitment to continue his baseball career at Florida
State University.
“My
sister just graduated from there last winter and I’ve always wanted
to go there since I was seven. Once I got the offer I took it right
away,” explained Reid-Foley.
Although
Reid-Foley is committed to play at Florida State, he said he has also
been talking to pro scouts.
“I
just want to make it in baseball,” said Reid-Foley of a potential
professional career.
Reid-Foley
has played in multiple Perfect Game events, including the 2013
National Showcase that took place earlier this summer in Minneapolis,
Minn.
“The
dome was very interesting, I’m not a big fan of turf but the mound
was pretty good,” said Reid-Foley.
Cobi Johnson peaked at 93 mph in a scoreless inning Monday night.
Reid-Foley’s
teammate, Cobi Johnson, took the mound in the third inning of
Monday’s game. He was able to strike two out and didn't allow a
single baserunner.
Johnson,
who is 6-foot-4 and 180-pounds, is ranked No. 16 on the Perfect Game
High School Class of 2014 national rankings, and is ranked No. 3
overall in Florida.
“This
is my second outing of the summer, and I guess they think really
highly of me,” said Johnson about his spot in the rankings.
Johnson,
along with Reid-Foley, has also committed to play baseball at Florida
State.
“I’m
really excited to play there,” said Johnson about his commitment.
“I went up there for a visit and (they had) good coaches, (and)
good facilities (so) it’s a nice commitment for me.
“I
went to some of the other schools and I really like the coaching and
atmosphere at Florida State. It seemed really laid back and seemed
like a great bunch of guys, and it just looked like fun.”
Johnson
is from Holiday, Fla. and attends James W. Mitchell High School. He
was honored with the Sunshine Athletic Conference’s Player of the
Year award after his junior year in high school.
“I
had a really good season both pitching and with the bat so the
coaches voted and I got picked,” said Johnson about being awarded
player of the year. “It was a nice accolade for me.”
Although
Johnson wasn’t at the National Showcase this summer, he has been
involved in numerous different Perfect Game events throughout the
years.
“I
went last year down to Jupiter (the WWBA World Championship), I’ve
been to Memorial Day, I’ve been to Fort Myers a bunch of times,
I’ve done it all,” explained Johnson. “It’s fun, (and) it’s
a great experience.”