*College commitment information is submitted by players and college coaches
Ralph Henriquez
C - 2005 - Key West, FL
Oklahoma State
Henriquez showed incredible power from both sides of the plate in both batting practice and in the games. His father Ralph Henriquez is the minor league catching coordinator for the Atlanta Braves and Henriquez’s physical tools behind the plate measure up to the skills he’s been taught. He might very well be the top catching prospect in what promises to be an above average group of 2005 receivers.
Chris Dominguez
3B - 2005 - Miami, FL
Louisville
About the only thing that Dominguez didn’t show at the first two showcases of the year was the big time power hat everyone has seen before. He runs sub-7.00 at 6-5, 225, has one of the top arms in the country and is an agile fielder. Dominguez’ ceiling is as high as any high school player in the country.
Kent Matthes
3B - 2005 - Orlando, FL
Alabama
Matthes is a physically impressive 6-3, 195 lb right handed hitting third baseman who is going to draw comparisons to 2002 1st round pick Matt Whitney. Matthes has the edge defensively, especially with his rocket arm, but his swing still needs a bit of shortening before matching Whitney’s.
Ryan Mitchell
RHP - 2005 - Magnolia, TX
Uncommitted
Mitchell showed his usual low 90’s velocity in Ft. Myers and snapped off a couple of good curveballs as well, something we’re always looking for in this big right hander. We are a bit concerned that Mitchell has been throwing too much for too many different teams and might be putting too many innings on his young arm.
Mark Ortega
SS - 2005 - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Boston College
Ortega has big league tools and actions right now. His movements and balance both at the plate and in the field are very smooth. Ortega is going to be a plus hitter early in his career and is already a very good defender. It looks like the game comes very easily to him.
David DiNatale
OF - 2005 - Parkland, FL
Miami
DiNatale is a regular at PG/WWBA events and is really swinging the bat well and aggressively right now. He has some serious power potential down the road. DiNatale is a good runner with one of the strongest outfield arms in the country.
Ben Booker
IF - 2005 - Bruceville, TX
Baylor
Booker co-led the Showcase in base hits with 6 and may have led in great defensive plays as well. He’s a plus runner who is only adding some strength and power to his wiry 6-2 frame away from becoming a 5-tool player.
Shaun Garceau
RHP - 2005 - Royal Palm Bch, FL
Alabama
Garceau was one of the hardest throwers at the event, hitting 90-91 mph frequently, even out of the stretch, and his curveball had excellent depth and bite to it. He also impressed with his athletic ability during batting practice and games. Garceau is very projectable and should emerge as a top right handed pitching prospect for 2005.
Chad Hartman
OF - 2005 - Windemere, FL
University of Central Florida
Hartman’s left handed bat stood out for both its power and consistency. No one hit more balls hard at this event than this Florida native, who reminds us of top 2004 prospect Steve Chapman. Hartman’s speed and arm strength is very good, too.
Cody Neer
C - 2005 - Orlando, FL
Florida
Neer is one of the strongest prospects in the 2005 class. He gets great torque from his hips and thighs and generates serious bat speed. Neer’s arm is above average and he’s done a good job of maintaining his lower body quickness and balance.
Nathan Freiman
RHP - 2005 - Wellesley, MA
Duke
Like Jimmy Marshall above, Freiman lists himself as a catcher first and could play high at that position. But at 6-7, 215, he will outgrow that position as the game speeds up. On the mound, Freiman throws 86-88 easily and there’s a lot more there. Also like Marshall, his athletic ability will be a great benefit.
Kurt Smith
RHP - 2005 - Cincinnati, OH
Ohio
This was our first look at Smith and we were very impressed. He’s a physically mature workhorse type of pitcher with solid mechanics and an easy high 80’s fastball and good curveball. Smith’s a good athlete who can really hit, too, which adds to his projection.
Daniel Bennett
RHP - 2005 - Skaneateles, NY
Boston College
Bennett has a pro style 6-3 body that has good present strength and polished pitching mechanics. He pitched up to 88 mph on his fastball and used it aggressively inside to hitters. Some improvement on his secondary pitches would Bennett among the premium right handers in the class.
Jeffrey Beliveau
LHP - 2005 - Johnston, RI
Florida Atlantic
Beliveau comes from the same Rhode Island high school as Devil Rays CF Rocco Baldelli and top 2004 prospect Jay Rainville. He’s a multi-tooled athlete who throws 86 mph from the left side, runs big league average and swings a very good bat.
Matt Clark
LHP - 2005 - McDonough, GA
Middle Georgia State University
Not many left handed pitchers have emerged in the class of 2005 and Clark has a chance to be among the best. He’s loose and athlete and tops out in the 86-87 mph range with a nasty hammer of a curveball and a very developed change up.
Jimmy Marshall
RHP - 2005 - Tallahassee, FL
Florida State
Marshall still lists himself as a primary catcher and he has plenty of potential at that position. But we think he will end up on the mound eventually. His 85 mph throws during the catcher’s workouts dwarfed the rest of a strong catcher’s group and it translates easily into a 90+ mph fastball. Marshall’s slider is first rate and his athleticism will enable him to make easy adjustments at the higher levels.
Jake Shaffer
OF - 2005 - Athol, MA
Winthrop
Two present big league average to above average tools always mark a player as a potential pro prospect and Shaffer has those right now in his speed and arm strength. He has the strength to hit with wood if he can make some adjustments.
Max Gonzalez
C - 2005 - Hialeah, FL
Uncommitted
Gonzalez is the right handed brother of top 2004 prospect LHP Giovanni Gonzalez and you can see the resemblance right away. Like Gio, Max is a gamer with a live, quick actioned body and very good baseball skills. He can hit and is going to be a top flight defensive catcher.
L.V. Ware
OF - 2005 - Atlanta, GA
Uncommitted
Ware was perhaps the top “tools” player in Fort Myers, registering the top 60 time and throwing 87 mph from the outfield. His bat speed is above average, although his approach is a bit raw and he’ll have to work on recognizing breaking pitches better.
Jared Leeds
RHP - 2005 - Port St. Lucie, FL
Uncommitted
Leeds looks like a young pitcher in the classic sinker/slider mold. He’s an intense competitor who throws a consistent 87-88 mph fastball with bat breaking boring action and sharp 80 mph slider. Leeds also has a curveball and a change up but he can get quick outs with his two lead pitches.
Jared Lansford
2B - 2005 - Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara
Jared is the latest in the celebrated Lansford clan from the San Francisco Bay Area that has included a number of first round picks and even an American League batting champion (Carney). Jared is an athletic infielder with the same type of strong bat and good overall skills.
Clinton Storr
OF - 2005 - Key West, FL
Uncommitted
This is one of the true sleepers of the 2005 class. He’s a plus runner with good arm strength and we’ve seen him do some things with the bat from the left side that are really impressive. Look for some big things from this young man in the future.
Kurt Lipton
OF - 2005 - Boca Raton, FL
Vanderbilt
At 6-4, Lipton is a surprising good and agile athlete with big league average running speed and arm strength. Lipton’s left handed bat is his best tool. He wears out pitches low in the zone and is going to hit with power in the future.
William Long
MIF - 2005 - Valrico, FL
Louisiana-Lafayette
Switch-hitting middle infielders with some pop in their bats are difficult to find but Long’s power keeps getting better every time we see him. He has polished actions and good defensive tools, too.
Billy Block
SS - 2005 - Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida Atlantic
Block looks like a skinny young middle infielder at first but that’s deceiving. He has very good strength in his hands and arms and the ball jumps off his bat with the power of a much bigger player. Block is a smooth player defensively and even threw 86 mph off the mound.
Andrew Giobbi
C - 2005 - Portland, ME
Vanderbilt
Giobbi is a power/power catcher from Maine who we’ve seen at a number of events. He’s very strong in his hands and arms and generates some serious bat speed and raw power. Giobbi has excellent arm strength. He’s a hard nosed player who plays for keeps.
Tyler Herron
RHP - 2005 - Wellington, FL
Clemson
Herron came to the Showcase as an infield prospect and left as a pitching prospect after throwing 87 mph with an easy arm action and showing a good curveball/change up combination. The low 90’s are in Herron’s near future.
Aaron Everett
RHP - 2005 - Loudon, TN
Tennessee
Everett is a very sound bet to add a good amount of velocity in the next few years. He’s 84-86 mph now but has extra long limbs and plenty of room to add strength. We also like that Everett is a very good athlete who is a position prospect as well.
Steven Stropp
C - 2005 - Juno Beach, FL
University of Central Florida
Stropp was definitely one of the stronger players at the Showcase and it translated to excellent bat speed. Stropp’s power projects off the board. He’s a solid defensive catcher with a hard nosed attitude.
Jason Rago
OF - 2005 - Fairfield, CT
North Carolina State
It’s sometimes difficult for an outfielder to shine defensively at a showcase but Rago did with his arm strength, speed and jumps. At 6-1, 190, he has plenty of strength to swing the bat with power, too.
Anthony Perez
RHP - 2005 - Hialeah, FL
Miami
No pitcher at the Showcase is better suited to get hitters out right now than Perez. He combines a high 80’s fastball with a sharp curveball, precise command and a highly competitive attitude. He’s not especially projectable but his present tools and skills are top notch.
Eduardo Mendiola
3B - 2005 - Miami, FL
Notre Dame
Mendiola is very similar in all respects to fellow Florida 2005 third baseman Mark Ortega. They have the same ease, balance and confidence on the field, with Ortega having the slight edge in present tools and physical projectability. Like Ortega, Mendiola is going to hit right away at the next level.
Michael Roberts
C - 2005 - Prince George, VA
VMI
Roberts is a very good all around athlete with no dominant tool but a collection of very solid skills and abilities. He’s very quick behind the plate, has good arm strength and good gap to gap power. His younger brother Sam is a top 2007 prospect, also.
Mario Duarte
OF - 2005 - Tampa, FL
Florida Atlantic
Duarte keeps getting better. He showed off an 88 mph OF arm and is swinging the bat like an All American these days.
Bryan Bennett
C - 2005 - Altamonte Springs, FL
Uncommitted
Bennett has an old school approach to the game that we really like but it’s his tools and skills that make him a top prospect. He has very good power potential and can really put a charge into the ball. Bennett is a solid all around defensive player as well.
Brant McKown
C - 2005 - Tampa, FL
Cornell
McKown was the top game hitter at the Showcase, going 6-7 with 3 doubles against live pitching. This young man looks like a pure hitter who has some power. If his catching skills keep improving, that will make his bat play even better.
DePhillips Mason
OF - 2005 - Miami Lakes, FL
Uncommitted
DePhillips is an outstanding athlete with impact speed and a package of tools that will be attracting lots of D1 College attention
Frank Compagnone
OF - 2005 - Oviedo, FL
Uncommitted
Compagnone is a 2-way prospect that showed us the ability to strike out the side on the hill, get in the batters box and drive in the winning runs. He has all the tools for the next level.
Lance McClain
LHP - 2005 - Knoxville, TN
Uncommitted
McClain is a very polished southpaw who has no trouble cutting through line ups at this level. He has excellent command of an 84 mph fastball and sharp breaking curveball and great instincts on how to use them.
Josh Wall
RHP - 2005 - Walker, LA
Louisiana State
Wall is tall and thin and throws with so little effort that when his fastball comes in at 86 mph you wonder where it comes from. There’s a lot more velocity there. Wall’s curveball and change up are very advanced for his age.
Mark Triolo
RHP - 2005 - San Diego, CA
San Diego State
Triolo is a big 6-5 right hander who hasn’t started to get strong yet at all. He maintained his velocity well on a hard sinking mid-80’s fastball and showed good command of the strike zone.
Tyrone Anu
OF - 2005 - Orlando, FL
Uncommitted
Anu is a top flight defensive centerfielder with above average speed right now and very good arm strength. He has a slashing swing with good bat speed and projects to get stronger.
Sean Baumann
C - 2005 - Tampa, FL
Uncommitted
One of the most athletic catchers in the showcase, Baumann can catch and throw with the best of them and still stretch a double into a triple on the bases !
Gib Dannehower
LHP - 2005 - Ormond Beach, FL
South Florida
Dannehower jumps out at you right away with his highly athletic 6-4, 200 lb frame. He threw in the mid-80’s with good spin on his breaking pitches and projects well.
Brett Basham
C - 2005 - Knoxville, TN
Mississippi
Basham looks like he’ll be one of the top defensive catchers in what is looking like a vintage group of receivers. His game throwing skills are excellent and he is quick behind the plate. Basham has some power in his bat, too.
Ryan Saldivar
C - 2005 - Denton, TX
McLennan CC
Saldivar wasn’t one of the bigger catchers at the event but he swung one of the biggest bats. He’s quick to the ball and has some loft in his swing. Saldivar is also quick behind the plate and has enough arm strength to throw in the mid-80’s off the mound.
Joaquin Valdes
3B - 2005 - Miami, FL
Uncommitted
Valdes is long and lean at 6-4, 180 lbs and uses his size to get some serious whip and extension into his swing. The pro scouts are going to like his power potential for the future. Valdes is quick and agile at third base and throws well, too.
Jason Ogata
SS - 2005 - Portland, OR
Oregon State
We don’t see many prospects from Oregon but Ogata is a 6-2 shortstop that the pro scouts and college coaches definitely need to see. He has some juice in his bat and present average big league speed and arm strength.
David Hum
C - 2005 - N. Little Rock, AR
Notre Dame
Left handed hitting catchers with sweet, projectable swings are difficult to find but Hum qualifies. In addition to his very nice bat, Hum is a very good receiver who only needs to improve his arm strength a notch to be a complete prospect.
Chris Craycraft
MIF - 2005 - Lexington, KY
Uncommitted
Craycraft is a 2 way player that could have made this list either way. Has nice fundamentals with the bat but really showed us too much pitchability not to mention him on the mound.
Ruairi O'Connor
C - 2005 - River Forest, IL
Florida State
O'Connor has an advanced bat with power and we have seen hit some of the best pitching in his class. He has an offensive mentality to his game and will make any team that he plays on better.
Sam Newton
RHP - 2005 - Joplin, MO
Paris Junior College
Newton’s best pitch is a very sharp 78 mph slider that is going to produce many strikeouts for him in the future. He throws in the mid-80’s now with a loose, projectable body.
Steve Vitale
MIF - 2005 - East Meadow, NY
St. John's
One of the top athletes in the Northeast, Vitale showed nice range at SS with a playable arm and attacker approach at the plate. We've even seen him run much better on a firmer track in the fall.
Matthew Hall
SS - 2005 - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona State
Hall is a 6-2 shortstop with very nice actions and arm strength. He showed us a slashing swing with good bat speed that sent some balls up the gaps for extra base hits.
Jay Dantzler
OF - 2005 - Alpharetta, GA
Georgia Tech
Dantzler has the tools to be a top flight defensive centerfield at the next level, no question. We did have questions about his bat after BP but Dantzler answered them with a crushed triple off a 90 mph fastball and a couple of other good hits.
Matthew Williams
C - 2005 - Northville, MI
Duke
Williams can hit but his arm strength and catching ability will allow him to stick out among an elite group of backstops. He shined in Ft Myers and it was an outstanding group of catchers.
Will Hebberger
C - 2005 - Marietta, GA
Uncommitted
Hebberger has a good balance of defensive and offensive ability that caught our attention. He might not be in the top 10 offensively or defensively but he'd be in the top 5 production guys at the catcher position. And he's got some nice power.
Kasey Ko
3B - 2005 - Kailua, HI
Brigham Young
This Hawaiian switch hitter can really punish the ball and he does it from both sides of the plate. He showed us gap to gap hitting ability and he does it with a different look from each side.
Michael Lee
RHP - 2005 - Issaquah, WA
Bellevue CC
The only thing the 6-5 Lee lacks right now is velocity. He throws a low 80’s fastball, a quality curveball and change up combination and has very good mechanics that lead to above average command potential. When the velocity kicks in, Lee is going to get very good very quickly.
A J Dunn
RHP - 2005 - Grand Ledge, MI
Uncommitted
Dunn has a mature pitcher’s build and two quality pitches in a 86 mph fastball and a hard breaking 72 mph curveball. His smooth pitching mechanics ensure that he’s going to both improve and have strong command of the strike zone.
Nolan Crawley
C - 2005 - Greenfield, WI
Uncommitted
Crawley is an all around catching prospect for the next level. His athleticism allows him to hit good pitching, throw with the best of them and being from the north we can easily see a taller than average ceiling.
Michael Brady
MIF - 2005 - Laguna Beach, CA
California
Brady has significantly improved his bat speed and strength over the past few months and now looks like he’s going to be a strong hitter. He has natural shortstop actions, good arm strength and showed a better ability to drive the ball. Brady also threw 85 mph off the mound.
Robert Lawler
SS - 2005 - Rochester, NY
Uncommitted
Lawler is among the top caliber middle infielders and he hits like a corner guy at the next level. We've sen him before and he never surprises us with his quick bat and swift glove.
Eddie San Roman
OF - 2005 - Miami, FL
Uncommitted
San Roman has shown us a steady improvement not as much in his tools but in his ability and approach. He can do it all and most importantly he can hit. His tools easily play better than they read on paper and we love watching him swing the bat.
Matt McFolling
OF - 2005 - Oak Park, IL
Villanova
McFolling is one of those players that we could have ranked higher because even though he isn't big, his swing is one of the best we saw. He threw 84 from the OF, ran well but this is one LH bat that we have no problem bragging about !
Rick Marlin
OF - 2005 - Orlando, FL
Penn State
Marlin is a power player who can turn on the ball and drive in runs. He also showed one of the top OF arms but we still can't grade it better than his bat !
Pedro Alvarez
3B - 2005 - New York, NY
Vanderbilt
This New Yorker tore up the ball during batting practice with his bat speed and raw power. He has the physical skills to play third base in the future and just needs some more refinement and game experience before he’s one of the top hitters in the 2005 class.
John Phelps
LHP - 2005 - Chesapeake, VA
William & Mary
Phelps is a strong, compact left hander with two good present pitches that he uses very aggressively. His fastball is in the mid-80’s but the pitch that’s his difference maker is a hard 73 mph curveball with good late break to it.
Daniel Hudson
RHP - 2005 - Virginia Beach, VA
Old Dominion
Hudson is a very good athlete who throws in the mid-80’s with an excellent change up. He also took one of the best batting practices at the showcase and showed above average power potential. Top level college coaches need to watch him both ways.
Dustin Warren
OF - 2005 - Los Angeles, CA
Uncommitted
Warren was a very pleasant surprise; a multi-tooled outfielder from Southern California who came all the way to Florida to play. He has a professional body at 6-1, 195 and very good bat speed and hitting mechanics.
Jimmy Saris
RHP - 2005 - Great Falls, VA
Duke
Saris is a very polished pitcher who is going to win quickly at the next level. He throws in the mid-80’s with an easy delivery and has good quality and command to his curveball and change up.
Ross Fetterly
RHP - 2005 - Norfolk, VA
Old Dominion
Fetterly wasn’t one of the hardest throwers at the event but the 6-3 right hander threw a 73 mph hammer of a curveball that was eye opening and knee buckling. Both the curveball and his 84 mph fastball are going to improve as Fetterly grows into his body.
Kyle Nickel
MIF - 2005 - Gainesville, FL
Uncommitted
Nickel was one of the top defensive players at the Showcase and has the physical tools and skills to be a top flight defensive middle infielder. How he develops his strength and bat speed will determine how good a prospect he will become.
Rafael Vera
MIF - 2005 - Sarasota, FL
State College of Florida
Vera is a very live bodied middle infielder who really turns up his level of play in games. He has some serious juice in his bat and has consistently lined balls between and over outfielders at showcases and WWBA events.
Jeremy Bleich
LHP - 2005 - Metairie, LA
Stanford
Bleich does not fit the soft tossing southpaw mold yet despite throwing 83-85 mph because he has a loose arm and is projectable. But his curveball/changeup combination is excellent and he has great command and confidence in both these pitches.
Trevor Pippin
LHP - 2005 - Peachtree City, GA
Middle Georgia State University
Pippen’s left handed bat projects very well. He’s got a smooth, easy stroke and is already beginning to show impressive bat speed and power potential. Pippen’s going to get much stronger over the next few years. He’s a very good runner with arm strength, so the outfield is a definite option.
Robert Shaw
C - 2005 - Yorktown, NY
Iona
Shaw has a big league frame at 6-3, 205 lb. and is an aggressive athlete who could play many positions on the field. He showed impressive power potential at the plate and also hit 85 mph off the mound.
Greg Marrone
RHP - 2005 - Plynouth, MI
Western Michigan
Marrone is a polished right hander with a mid-80’s fastball and a good curveball/change up combination. He looks like he’s in complete command on the mound.
Chris Lopez
MIF - 2005 - Miami, FL
Uncommitted
Lopez is one of the more polished and skilled players in the country. At 5-7, 150, he’ll have to prove himself at every level but he has the ability and skills to do just that. Lopez can really pick it on defense and has an ideal leadoff hitter’s approach to hitting.
Matt Rogers
MIF - 2005 - Paoli, PA
Harvard
It’s always fun to watch shortstops who can play defense and Rogers can pick it with the best of them. He has some flair to his game, too. At the plate, Rogers has a short line drive swing and has excellent speed and quickness on the bases.
Nicholas Wenderoth
MIF - 2005 - Marietta, GA
Georgia Tech
Wenderoth has been a base hit machine at every PG/WWBA event he’s been at and will continue to hit for a high average at the next level. Although he plays mostly second, Wenderoth definitely has the arm strength and actions to play shortstop, too.
Shane Effertz
LHP - 2005 - Tampa, FL
Uncommitted
Effertz is a polished 3 pitch southpaw with a deceptive low ¾’s release point. His best pitch is a sharp breaking curveball that dominates left handed hitters and his mid-80’s fastball and change up are also quality pitches that he can throw for strikes.
Daniel Houston
RHP - 2005 - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Boston College
Houston has long arms and legs and very projectable athletic actions. He touches 83-84 mph now with a nasty curveball and both are just going to keep getting better.
Corey Bevis
RHP - 2005 - Chuluota, FL
Uncommitted
Bevis had some of the smoothest pitching mechanics we saw in Fort Myers and did an out standing job of throwing strikes with an 84 mph fastball and top notch change up. Bevis is a very good athlete who is a college level infield prospect as well.
Glenn Desposito
RHP - 2005 - Pace, FL
South Alabama
Desposito has three solid pitches in a mid-80’s fastball, curveball and change up and he’s a strike machine with all of them. With a strong, mature build and good athleticism, Desposito could be a workhorse college starter almost right away.
Ryan Hayes
C - 2005 - Middleburg, FL
Coastal Alabama CC
Hayes could be a strong Division I caliber player either on the throwing or the receiving end of the pitches. He throws in the mid-80’s with a big 74 mph slurve and uses his strength and athletic ability well as a catching prospect.
John Allen Conway
MIF - 2005 - Winterville, NC
Uncommitted
Conway put on a hitting show during games, knocking three extra base hits and showing impressive bat speed. He’s a solidly built athlete with good all around tools.
Jonathan Kutscherousky
OF - 2005 - Austin, TX
Texas A&M
You can see the competitor in Kutcherousky when he gets on the field. He is an attacker at the plate, takes a healthy hack at the ball and draws some big attention with his athleticism for a lean 200 pounder.
Dominic Altobelli
MIF - 2005 - Oak Forest, IL
Illinois
Altobelli is one of the more projectable player with power potential that excites us. It's especially nice to see that with his ability to drive the ball the other way with authority from a nice balanced approach.
Steven Giummo
C - 2005 - Sarasota, FL
State College of Florida
Giummo has a nice package on both sides of the ball with a projectable bat and already strong arm. We really look forward to seeing him swing the wood again soon because we think his loft power will end up among the best in his class.
Elbert Garcia
OF - 2005 - Bronx, NY
Uncommitted
As a quick and aggressive center-fielder we liked the way Garcia plaeyd the game. He is a hard-nosed type that played for keeps. Has the arm, speed and switch hitting ability that will be sought after by D1 Colleges.
Tom Hatcher
C - 2005 - Roswell, GA
Georgia Southern
Hatcher was one of the strongest catchers in the event with some wood power and one of the top arms in the showcase posting a 1.90 pop to pop !
Wes Dravis
RHP - 2005 - San Antonio, TX
Uncommitted
This right-hander threw 85 mph for us in January showing good leverage from an over the top slot. At 165 pounds we expect lots more from him this summer.
Bradley McPeek
1B - 2005 - Speedwell, TN
Southwest Tennessee CC
McPeek can swing the wood and send the ball routinely to the wall. We can only imagine how fast the ball jumps off his aluminum bat. If he concentrates on hitting exclusively left-handed he might be the toughest LH hitter to get out in TN.
David Munoz
RHP - 2005 - Hialeah Garden, FL
Florida Atlantic
Munoz is a strong right-hander who maintained his velocity, showed us a killer curveball and most importantly threw lots of strikes !
Robert Warne
C - 2005 - Albion, NY
Uncommitted
A catcher from NY popping under 2.0, swinging a good wood bat and running well for a backstop catches our attention. Not to mention we like the way he projects for next year.
Corey Ashner
MIF - 2005 - Shawnee Mission, KS
UCLA
Ashner is one of the more skilled middle infielders in the country, with a polished bat and good physical tools. He’s improved his arm strength a good deal in the last 6 months and we think he’s ready to move over to shortstop from second base.
Jordan Mills
MIF - 2005 - Frostproof, FL
Uncommitted
Mills was smaller than most but had no problem showing Shortstop ability with good tools. He is a slick fielder, has a good swing and we like his chances at the next level at least as a 2Bman.
Jason Rook
OF - 2005 - Greensboro, NC
Appalachian State
Rook can pitch, hit, play the OF and any way we looked at it he belongs on this list. Watch out because he might separate himself and creep into the top half of this list this summer at either P or OF.
Greg Pustizzi
C - 2005 - Medford, NJ
Uncommitted
Pustizzi has a bigtime body and made an impact with his defensive ability alone showing a 1.87 pop time and he did it more than once. It should illustrate just how talented of a Top 100 list this is !
Chris Marrero
3B - 2006 - Hialeah Garden, FL
Miami
Marrero just might be the top 2006 prospect in the country. His arm strength is unsurpassed in the high school ranks, he’s quick and lithe on his feet at 6-3, 190, and he has no trouble turning around quality pitches with power, as he showed in Fort Myers. Marrero is a special player with a great approach to the game.
Brandon Holden
RHP - 2006 - Coral Springs, FL
Florida
Holden is quickly emerging as the top power pitcher in the 2006 class. He touched 90 mph in Fort Myers with great leverage and projectability to his pitches. Holden throws very easily and has advanced skills at changing speeds and throwing strikes.
Chris Huseby
RHP - 2006 - Palm City, FL
Uncommitted
Huseby and Brandon Holden are similar athletically, physically and in their projection. Huseby “only” topped out at 88 mph as opposed to Holden’s 90 mph but Huseby’s curveball is a hammer with big league strike out potential when he throws it hard. Huseby also has very advanced command and pitching skills for his age.
Adrian Cardenas
SS - 2006 - Miami Lakes, FL
Florida
Cardenas is not your typical slender, quick Latin shortstop. He’s a switch-hitter with a strong body and power from both sides of the plate. Cardenas has slick and polished actions in the infield and would be a top defender at second or third base as well.
Buddy Munroe
C - 2006 - Miami, FL
Clemson
Munroe is establishing himself as the top defensive catcher in the 2006 class. He’s very quick and agile behind the plate and has a top flight arm. Munroe’s bat definitely plays, too.
David Christensen
OF - 2006 - Parkland, FL
Miami
Christensen is one of the best tools players of the sophomore class, with excellent above average arm strength and good speed. He’s a lean and projectable 6-2 and is going to keep getting stronger.
Ryan Adams
MIF - 2006 - Mandeville, LA
Louisiana State
Adams has the makings of a 5-tool shortstop and it would be difficult to identify which is his weakest area right now. He hits every ball right on the nose it seems, runs present big league average, fields well at shortstop and throws 89 mph off the mound. Adams doesn’t stand out physically at 5-10, but he tools certainly do.
John Bivens
OF - 2006 - Disputanta, VA
Uncommitted
Bivens has only been playing baseball for 1 ½ years and Fort Myers was his coming out party. He’s highly athletic at 6-1, 195, with excellent bat speed and top notch athletic ability. Look for him to move up the charts as he plays more.
Matthew Redding
C - 2006 - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Samford
Redding plays with the maturity of a much older player. His defensive tools are excellent and he plays the game with an energy that that his future coaches are going to appreciate.
Michael Heard
LHP - 2006 - Montgomery, TX
Texas A&M
Heard is the cousin of former Rangers 1st round pick Scott Heard but has the advantage of being left handed. He throws 86 mph now with a very sharp breaking ball and reminds scouts of top 2004 prospect, and Northwest Houston neighbor, Troy Patton.
Todd Waller
3B - 2006 - Cape Coral, FL
Uncommitted
Waller and Nathan Karns are similar 2-way prospects. Both throw in the mid-80’s off the mound as sophomores and will show you plus raw power potential and good athletic ability. Karns is a bit more projectable, but Waller is awfully good, too.
Addison Johnson
OF - 2006 - Winston Salem, NC
Clemson
Johnson isn’t very big or strong but he has some serious tools, combining excellent speed with surprisingly good arm strength. He can hit, too, and will launch some balls out of the park.
Albert Espinosa
C - 2006 - Miami, FL
Broward CC
Don’t even think of running on Espinosa. He’s Pudge-like quick behind the plate and was 1.78 to 1.87 on his pop times. Espinosa has a strong, aggressive bat as well that projects very good power and he shows good leadership skills behind the plate.
Dustin Spruill
C - 2006 - Northport, AL
Auburn
Spruill’s switch-hitting ability will carry him alone but his catching and throwing skills keep improving, too. His pop times are consistently in the low 1.90’s.
Aaron O'Connell
RHP - 2006 - Wellington, FL
Uncommitted
O’Connell is only 15 years old and 6-2, 175 lbs but can sit steadily in the 83-85 mph range. His curveball also has good velocity at 73 mph and O’Connell is just starting to add strength to his frame. He could be a very hard thrower in a couple of years.
Harold Smith
OF - 2006 - Palmetto, FL
State College of Florida
Smith has impact speed both in the field and on the bases and each time we see him he drives the ball harder.
Nathan Karns
RHP - 2006 - Arlington, TX
Texas
Karns was the top prospect of the many 2-way sophomore prospects. He touched 85 mph on his fastball with an effortless delivery and there’s much more in his athletic 6-3 frame. Karns also displayed as much raw power potential as any young hitter at the event.
Jeff Ussery
SS - 2006 - Hilton Head, SC
Georgia Tech
Ussery has switch hitting ability, nice SS actions and a good arm to go with it. It's the whole package including a body that projects as good as any in the entire event.
Ryan Jackson
SS - 2006 - Miami Springs, FL
Miami
Jackson’s defensive skills and tools are highly advanced and would play at any level right now. How he develops his slender 6’2, 150 lb frame and his approach to the game will determine his future potential.
Matthew Adams
MIF - 2006 - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Yale
Adams is a young lean infielder with lots of projection. He runs fairly well and has a very strong arm. He has outstanding hitting skills that should develop nicely as he gets older. He’s a good player and just keeps getting better.
Graham Stoneburner
RHP - 2006 - Richmond, VA
Clemson
Stoneburner’s brother is a D1 shortstop with a plus arm and younger brother might be better. Stoneburner already hits 86-87 mph from the mound and his arm action and delivery are silky smooth. He’s a pretty good shortstop prospect, also.
Thomas Hickman
LHP - 2006 - Rome, GA
Uncommitted
Hickman isn’t the most physically imposing prospect at a slender 5-10 but he’s among the most skilled. He throws in the mid-80’s on the mound with an excellent breaking ball and plenty of savvy and command. Hickman can definitely hit at the next level, too.
Albert Gonzalez
MIF - 2006 - Miami, FL
Uncommitted
The only physical tool Gonzalez doesn’t have is height. This 5-8 athlete hits the ball hard from the left side and shows some power potential at the plate. He’s also a defensive wizard who will probably end up at second base.
Marcus Rodriguez
3B - 2006 - Naples, FL
Samford
There are no shortage of mature power hitters in the sophomore class and Rodriguez ranks among them. The ball explodes off his bat right now. Rodriguez is an agile defender with very soft hands.
Hunter Rome
MIF - 2006 - Houston, TX
North Carolina
Rome is a slender 155 lb. shortstop who is already fast and can pick it with the best of them at shortstop. He swings the bat well, too, and more strength is going to make him much better.
Joseph Castaldi
RHP - 2006 - Sunrise, FL
Uncommitted
Castaldi already has the polish of a much older pitcher. We’ve seen him at 86 mph in the past, although he only was 83 mph in Fort Myers, and his curveball and change up are excellent pitches. Castaldi is a good athlete and very projectable.
Jeff Lara
RHP - 2006 - Miami, FL
Louisville
Good young body who threw 84 mph and worked in a savvy knuckler as one of his off-speed pitches. He is on his way to big things.
Jared Anderson
3B - 2006 - Vandnais Heights, MN
Winona State
Anderson is a lean and projectable player with a high split body that swung a good bat and showed some pitchability and armstrength on the hill. He's a northern player with lots of upside.
James Allen
RHP - 2006 - Southlake, TX
Uncommitted
Interesting pitcher that we really liked with a bat in his hands. He can hit and hit with power and has the size and strength to get it done both ways.
William Gordon
SS - 2006 - LaGrange, GA
Pennsylvania
With a good infielders body and projectable actions Gordon makes for a good prospect after seeing him hit the ball the other way off live pitching.
Alex Hilliard
IF - 2006 - Lafayette, LA
Vanderbilt
Hilliard is a P/IF who we think could end up being a top Infielder with good footspeed and a nice swing that projects off the charts.
Joel Wall
C - 2006 - Sharpsburg, GA
Uncommitted
Wall is a catcher that can hit with natural actions at the plate and the ability to handle a wood bat already. And for a catcher he runs very well.
Aaron Lerma
C - 2006 - Ft Worth, TX
Uncommitted
Hasn't played his Junior year in HS yet and showed us 1.87 to 1.95 pop times. And he can swing the bat too !
Sam Phippen
RHP - 2006 - Durango, CO
Uncommitted
Phippen is a 6-7 right hander with a loose arm who threw 80-83 mph and showed the ability to spin the ball well. He’s very athletic and should continue to improve as he adds strength.
Jayson Hernandez
C - 2006 - Jackson, NJ
Winthrop
The sophomore class is full of catcher’s who can hit the ball. Hernandez is very strong in his hands and arms right now and he can really turn on the ball hard with some power.
Caleb Shofner
IF - 2006 - Waco, TX
McLennan CC
Shofner is one of the better and more polished hitters in the sophomore class and he has plenty of room to add more strength and power. The ball already jumps off his bat. His catching skills are improving as well.
David Cunningham
SS - 2006 - Roswell, GA
Auburn
Cunningham is a mature player with an advanced bat and good power potential. He’ll probably move to third base as he gets bigger and stronger.
Christian Bergman
MIF - 2006 - Altadena, CA
UC Irvine
Bergman’s bat keeps improving as he gets stronger but he also showed us his pitching ability for the first time, throwing into the mid-80’s with an easy, smooth arm action.
Scott Rembisz
RHP - 2006 - Clinton, CT
State College of Florida
Rembisz is a big, strong right hander from Connecticut who already tops out in the 84-85 mph range. He attacked the hitters aggressively, maintaining his stuff well and is going to keep getting better.
Manuel Fernandez
1B - 2006 - Miami, FL
Uncommitted
Fernandez is a very projectable 6-0 hitter and has a sweet left handed swing that’s going to account for a lot of home runs. Fernandez is a good athlete and defender.
Michael Main
RHP - 2007 - Deltona, FL
Florida State
Main continues to impress everyone with his all around physical skills, both on the mound and in the field. He throws 87-89 mph with a quality curveball and change up, but also projects as one of the top position prospects in his class both as a catcher and centerfielder. There may not be a phrase like “8-Tool Player” in the scout’s dictionary but it might have to be added to describe Main.
John Tolisano
SS - 2007 - Sanibel, FL
Florida
For pure smoothness and ease, few players of any age compare with Tolisano’s silky left handed swing. He has consistently hit the ball out of pro parks with wood and just projects to get stronger as he matures. Tolisano projects as a catcher but his speed and arm strength at shortstop, as well as his ability to make the difficult play, improve every time out.
Eric Hillenbrand
OF - 2007 - San Diego, CA
College of Southern Nevada
Hillenbrand has a well developed frame right now at 6-3, 190 and some very good tools to go with it. He tops out at 84 mph on his fastball and throws a good 71 mph curveball. With some mechanical changes, he could gain more velocity right away.
Evan Chambers
OF - 2007 - Lakeland, FL
Florida
Chambers is more physically mature than most freshman, with especially strong hips and thighs. He’s a very powerful runner who generates good bat speed and projects a ton of power in the future.
Jason Heyward
OF - 2007 - McDonough, GA
UCLA
Heyward is the youngest prospect on the list by birthday but also one of the best. He’s already physically strong at 6-0, 170 and his left handed swing is quick and sweet. Wait until he starts to physically mature!
Christian Colon
MIF - 2007 - Anaheim Hills, CA
Cal State Fullerton
Matt Sorrell
3B - 2007 - Ormond Beach, FL
Stetson
Sorrell has a big league body at 6-3, 180 and is looking at a whole basket of big league tools as well. He showed power off high 80’s pitching, ran very well and threw 83 off the mound with a nasty curveball. Sorrell’s ceiling is very high.
Andrew Cobb
OF - 2007 - Apopka, FL
Western Carolina
Cobb has the makings of a “tools” prospect; his present arm strength and running speed are getting close to Major League quality right now and he has good body life. He has plenty of time to harness his talents with the bat.
Patrick Johnson
RHP - 2007 - Conover, NC
North Carolina
Johnson wasn’t 100% healthy in Fort Myers but he showed us enough to think that he’s a top 2-way prospect. He touched 85 mph during 1 inning of work, swung the bat well and ran 4.20 down to first on a ground ball. We’re very anxious to see him when he’s healthy and stronger.
Tyler Benzel
3B - 2007 - Groveland, FL
Louisiana-Lafayette
Benzel has all the tools and actions to be a top flight defensive shortstop far into the future. His feet look like they were born to play shortstop and he has very good arm strength. Benzel’s bat is very advanced for his age as well.
Weston Gilmer
SS - 2007 - Pinson, AL
Auburn
Although he listed himself as a primary shortstop, Gilmer is a very good pitching prospect. He threw 84-86 mph easily with 2 quality secondary pitches and looked like he could do that all day. Gilmer is a switch hitter with good power from the left side.
AJ Regoli
OF - 2007 - Lake Worth, FL
South Florida
Regoli looks like a natural hitter even at 15 years old and 155 lbs. He generates very good bat speed and stings the ball consistently. Regoli also has big league arm strength that profiles him into right field at the higher levels.
Christopher Murphy
SS - 2007 - Sewickley, PA
Uncommitted
Murphy has a nice set of defensive tools for the infield and good actions as well. His approach at the plate is sound and mature and he projects well across the board.
Sam Roberts
3B - 2007 - Prince George, VA
VMI
Roberts’ brother Michael is a top 2005 catching prospect but the 2 siblings are very different athletically. Sam has a powerful left handed stroke that projects plus future home run potential and has a classic right fielder’s build and tools.
Kamron Gardner
OF - 2007 - Flagler Beach, FL
Uncommitted
Gardner is very young even for a freshman and has the type of body that could be big and strong with normal development. He has excellent natural loft to his swing and has some bat speed now with wood.
Jace Brown
MIF - 2007 - Sarasota, FL
Georgia
Brown is already 6-1, 165 as a freshman and his going to be big and strong in a few years. His bat is already very advanced for his age and he could develop into a power hitting third baseman down the road.
Kyle Mayes
OF - 2007 - Madison, AL
Uncommitted
Mayes is a projectable infielder with an aggressive approach that projects well. He can already run and throw with the top prospects and we liked the way he made routine contact.
Nicholas Natale
OF - 2007 - Hoboken, NJ
Palm Beach Atlantic
Natale is an athletic infielder that showed us very good speed and a nice projectable build for the future. As just a freshman he has a bright future.
Raiko Alfonso
MIF - 2008 - Key West, FL
Florida International
Although Alfonso’s actually older than a couple of the 2007 prospects, this 8th grader definitely belonged on the field with the older players. Alfonso’s physical tools are impressive across the board and he has that confidence and ease about him that the best athletes have naturally.
Blake Newalu
MIF - 2008 - McDonough, GA
San Diego
As one of just 2 players in the 2008 class Newalu was the smallest player and possibly the most projectable of them all. He showed real nice actions in the field and at the plate and look forward to seeing him grow into those actions.