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Tournaments  | Story  | 11/22/2022

Uncommitted Gems: Florida

Jered Goodwin      Tyler Kotila     
Photo: Javier Gorostola (Perfect Game)
Nevin Hernandez, OF, Palmetto, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Hernandez is a 5-foot-10, 180-pound outfielder with solid bat-to-ball skills and showed a very good approach in 2022. He hit .347 and pounded out a .952 OPS while showcasing an advanced all-fields approach. Hernandez has solid speed and can cover ground defensively.



Ben Barrow, C, Jacksonville, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Barrow is a solidly-built backstop with a 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame that will fill out very well. He can also hit, as he did this year, putting up a .333 average with a 1.012 OPS. During Perfect Game showcases he also popped a 1.95 during drills.



Nolan Juvers, RHP, Orlando, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Juvers is as durable as it gets with his consistent runs over the years. He threw 25 innings this year and posted a 2.20 ERA while striking out more than a batter per inning. His 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame and quick shoulder projects well as he continues to add strength. Juvers already peaks in the upper-80s and has plenty more in the tank.

Antonio Simpson, INF, Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Simpson is a really athletic 5-foot-11, 170-pound infielder with lots of upside given his quickness and range. There is some versatility in his game as he develops, which will help at the next level. Offensively he hit all year, raking with a .367 average and showed the ability to disrupt when he got on base.



Robert Hurlock, RHP, Orlando, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: Top 1000

Hurlock works pretty consistently in the upper-80s and has peaked at 90 at times. He is a solid 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and put up dominating numbers this year. He has a 0.90 ERA and struck out 30 hitters in his 23-plus innings pitched. Those type of numbers coupled with pounding the zone, as he gave up only 4 walks, make him a pretty attractive late addition to a class.

Daniel Hartley, RHP, Auburndale, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500
*Since posting Hartley has committed to the State College of Florida*
Hartley has been written about before for his firm stuff, with a fastball in the 89-91 range and mid-70s breaking ball. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound righty has upside with his fast shoulder and solid athleticism. In Jupiter, he threw 3 scoreless innings and struck out five. He did not surrender a hit during the outing. A solid last impression that should propel a big spring.

Andrew Merchant, OF, Lake Mary, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Merchant is a strong and very fast athlete that has really good bat speed and big intent with the bat. He is still developing parts of his game, but the upside is real and he could be one of the real sleepers in the class. The run and power potential is a difference maker.

Javier Gorostola, C, Miami, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Gorostola is a solidly-built 5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher that can defend high-level arms as well as get it done in the box. He has good receiving skills and a big arm. He has popped a 1.85 during PG events and has also hit at a high level. His .319 average and .900 OPS give him plenty of potential with the bat. Oh, he also hit 93 mph on the bump this summer.

Alex Brazer, INF, Ruskin, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Brazer can help early at the next level with his ability to play all infield spots, but should settle in on the left side of the dirt. He has the arm and agility to develop in a big way. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, there is a lot of room to continue to fill out that only adds to the offensive projection of the infielder that hit .333 with a .949 OPS.

-Jered Goodwin



Logan Chapman, 3B/SS, Apopka, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Chapman had a great summer on the circuit and put himself on the map after showing out. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound infielder who patrols the left side has a physical build, and it shows. He’s got the projectable frame for a corner infield spot and as he continues to add on strength, the juice could be exciting. Chapman shines in the box with some serious whip to the barrel as he works through the zone. He’s been able to grind out at-bats and reap the benefits. In 29 games this year, Chapman logged 71 plate appearances. He managed a .410 average and a .493 on-base percentage. Also drew 10 walks while striking out just eight times in 2022. His tools defensively are projectable, especially at the hot corner as mentioned. He gets strength behind the throws and makes the plays.



Chris Knier, RHP, Jensen Beach, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Knier has the makings of a guy who just loves to compete. The right-handed pitcher has a real warrior/dominant presence on the mound. At 6-foot, 190 pounds, Knier is not afraid to challenge hitters and he's able to have success in doing so. He had a good fall on the circuit, helping him cap off an impeccable 2022 year overall. The righty worked up to 90 mph on the fastball at the WWBA World Championship while spinning a big 12-6 breaking ball that fools hitters. Also has a changeup with some depth to it in the arsenal. He’s got the stuff to miss bats and induces the swing-and-miss. In 2022, Knier logged 36 innings pitched where he punched out 62 opposing hitters. He managed a 0.97 WHIP and posted a 1.80 ERA. Knier’s performance this fall warrants him being on the radar heading into his final spring of prep ball.



Lucas Glendinning, RHP, Melbourne, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

Another arm that should be on the radar heading into the prep season next spring is Glendinning. After a great summer and fall with the Scorpions/Giants Scout Team, he showed how dominant he can be. The right-handed pitcher has an uber-projectable 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame to him. He moves well down the mound with his lower half riding the slope well. Glendinning throws from a three-quarters/high three-quarters slot that creates some ride on the fastball in the upper-80s. He pairs it with a low- to mid-70s breaking ball with some horizontal movement to it. In 2022, he pitched to a 1.20 ERA, and a 0.92 WHIP, and was able to punch out 27 hitters over 29 1/3 innings pitched. Keep an eye on the right-hander as he heads into his final spring of prep ball.



Ian Barnes, INF/RHP, Tampa, Fla.
Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 1000

Barnes was solid on both sides of the ball throughout the summer. He finds ways to have good at-bats. He plays his prep ball for A3 Academy and went into the summer with TBT Southeast Swarm and was solid on the bump when they needed him. He was up to 87 mph on the bump and punched out 15 hitters over 12 innings pitched during the 2022 season. He commands his fastball well and pairs it with a 12-6 breaking ball that has good depth to it. He has a changeup in the repertoire as well. His performance in the box is steady. Lots of hard-hit balls working from an upright stance and being able to adjust with two strikes and put balls in play.



Gian De Castro, 3B/1B, Miami, Fla.
Class of 2024 | PG Rank: 123

De Castro stands 6-foot-4, and weighs in at 210 pounds; it’s an extremely physical build in a projectable frame. He shows off that strength in the batter’s box, hitting balls incredibly hard, being able to work to all fields but really show off that juice pull side. He’s got the corner infield build to him with strength that just really carries with the stick. He’s a left-handed bat who’s going to make the most of his at-bats. He hit .452 in PG Events in 2022 over 82 plate appearances. His on-base percentage is .578, speaking to his ability to make the most of the at-bat. He’s gotten it done. He has eight doubles and four triples to his credit this year. There’s a lot to like from the lefty who leverages the ball well and meets it out front. Lots to like here, his strong summer continues to make him an uncommitted name to keep an eye on.



Brandon De Goti, SS/RHP, Weston, Fla.
Class of 2024 | PG Rank: 369

Another player who makes the most of his at-bats is the right-handed hitting De Goti. He stands 5-foot-11, 165 pounds with an uber-athletic frame. It helps him field his position at short, moving well, and being able to show off the arm as needed. But De Goti shines in the box, too. He swung it well during the 2022 campaign and found ways on base. He hit .389 over 198 plate appearances with a .520 on-base percentage. He had 16 doubles, a triple, and a home run as well. He struck out just 22 times over 198 plate appearances. If the bat was not impressive enough, De Goti was able to find success on the mound as well. The right-handed arm is up to 88 mph and was able to punch out 28 hitters over 21 1/3 innings of work. De Goti pitched to a 1.00 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. His continued strong performance makes him a player to keep an eye on in this 2024 class.



Ethan Mattison, LHP/1B, Greenacres, Fla.
Class of 2024 | PG Rank: 500

Mattison is the type of player who goes out and does his job every time the coach hands him the ball. He pieced together solid outing after solid outing on the circuit in 2022. The southpaw pitches with energy and has a bulldog mentality. He feeds off the competition and it shows throughout his starts. Mattison was up to 89 mph in 2022 and works in the mid- to upper-80s with a fastball that has heavy sink to it and works well arm-side, especially to righties, diving away off the plate and missing barrels. He has a good changeup with fade to it that tunnels well with the fastball. His breaking ball works the mid-70s and helps build out his repertoire. He attacks hitters and has a repeatable delivery. In 2022, Mattison produced a 0.40 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. He punched out 59 hitters over 35 innings of work.



Alejandro Ludeiro, C/1B, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Class of 2024 | PG Rank: 500

Ludeiro is a standout backstop who handles the position extremely well. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound catcher moves well and is athletic with strength in the build. He’s a game manager behind the dish with a good baseball IQ. He carried a good prep season into the summer circuit and was able to get the job done. Recently, at the Miami Prospect Showcase in Doral, Florida, he was able to show off his stuff and piece together a solid weekend. Ludeiro showed off a swing from the right side that produced loud contact and was able to leave the yard during BP. There’s strength in the frame and when he gets extended out front and connects, it shows. Ludeiro hit .300 this summer with a .443 on-base percentage. He’s someone to keep an eye on as he keeps progressing and filling out his frame.



Madrid Tucker, SS, Fort Myers, Fla.
Class of 2025 | PG Rank: 104

Tucker is an uber-athletic middle infielder whose actions will continue to project moving forward. He’s 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds with blazing speed on the basepaths and out of the batter's box. His hit tools are improving and he’s continued to show a better feel for the position defensively. He had another great summer on the circuit this season and continues to show why he’s going to be an impactful addition for someone down the line. Tucker hit .485 with a .532 on-base percentage over 109 plate appearances with 36 games played. The actions are smooth defensively with the impressive range due to his speed and ability to move laterally. Lots to like about Tucker and he will continue to improve moving forward.



Luke Cherry, LHP, Coral Springs, Fla.
Class of 2025 | PG Rank: 352

Cherry had a fantastic 2022 season in the PG circuit. The left-handed pitcher consistently found ways to miss barrels and it shows on the stat sheets. Cherry punched out 74 hitters this year over 38 innings pitched. He allowed just seven earned runs all year and pitched to a 0.89 WHIP. The southpaw was up to 87 mph this summer and has a three-pitch mix to attack hitters with. The fastball has life to it and he pairs that with a slider/changeup combo. The changeup has some depth to it and is able to fool right-handers. He has a slider in the mix that works the mid-70s. His stuff misses bats and he’s able to mow down opposing lineups. He’s a smooth operator on the mound with a clean lefty delivery. Gets good hip-shoulder separation after getting extended down the mound with a good stride. Plenty to keep an eye on after such a strong summer for Cherry.

-Tyler Kotila
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