THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,481 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,481 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | State Preview | 4/23/2013

MLB Draft Preview: Florida

Photo: Jacksonville
In the weeks leading up to the draft, Perfect Game will be providing a detailed overview of each state in the U.S., including the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. These overviews will list the state's strengths, weaknesses and the players with the best tools, as well as providing scouting reports on all Group 1 and 2 players as ranked in Perfect Game's state-by-state scouting lists.  Please visit this page for all of the links to Perfect Game's 2013 Draft Preview content.



Florida State-by-State List

Florida scouts have high hopes for their state's crop every year, and with good reason, as the state can produce so many players that in some springs the area scouts are just scrambling to get everyone seen and evaluated. But if there was any word that could describe the collective scout's feeling towards the events of this spring, it would 'disappointing.'

The news started early when Florida right handed pitcher and 2009 PG All-American Karsten Whitson, thought to be a potential No. 1 overall pick for the 2013 draft two years ago, was lost for the spring with shoulder surgery. His teammate, Jonathon Crawford, a potential top five overall pick, mysteriously lost his dynamic stuff for much of the spring. A number of acclaimed high school bats suddenly went quiet, and no one really jumped out in the usually rich junior college ranks. One scout noted that Florida Gulf Coast has more projected top 10 draft picks than the Big Three (Florida, Florida State and Miami) combined.

Of course, Florida will still have an ample representation in the top 10 rounds of the draft and beyond. Jacksonville right handed pitcher Chris Anderson still looks like a potential top 15 pick, while high schoolers such as catcher Chris Okey, right-hander Tyler Danish and left-hander Sean Brady, among others, have had outstanding springs.


STRENGTH:
High school catching and power bats, college right handed pitchers
WEAKNESS: Lack of a standout/top of the 1st round prospect, underperforming high school bats
OVERALL RATING (1-to-5 scale): 3

BEST COLLEGE TEAM:
Florida State
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Miami Dade College
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Venice

PROSPECT ON THE RISE:
Victor Caratini, c-3b, Miami Dade JC. This could have been a weekly award in the Florida prospect ranks, with a dozen potential award winners. No player has come further during the course of the spring than Caratini, who was undrafted out of Puerto Rico in 2011 and did not play college baseball last spring. The switch-hitter could even slip into the top three rounds for a team that feels comfortable with him defensively behind the plate and likes what they hear about his signability.

WILD CARD: Tucker Neuhaus, ss-3b, Wharton HS, Tampa.
Neuhaus has only played in a small handful of games this spring due to a bizarre series of illnesses and minor injuries, with the latest being a quad problem, but he has wowed scouts in workouts with his left-handed power potential. The problem will come with just how many scouting directors and high level cross-checkers have seen Neuhaus, a Louisville signee, and how secure they are in their evaluations. For the teams that know him the best, that could definitely mean top two round consideration.

BEST OUT-OF-STATE PROSPECT, Florida Connection:
Alex Gonzalez, rhp, Oral Roberts (Boca Raton High School)
Top 2014 Prospect: Nicholas Gordon, ss/rhp, Olympia HS, Windemere
Top 2015 Prospect: Thomas Szapucki, lhp, Dwyer HS, West Palm Beach

HIGHEST DRAFT PICKS

Draft History:
Chipper Jones, ss, The Bolles School, Jacksonville (1990, Braves/1st round, 1st pick); Alex Rodriguez, ss, Westminster Christian HS, Miami (1993, Mariners/1st round, 1st pick); Paul Wilson, rhp, Florida State U. (1994, Mets/1st round, 1st pick); Pat Burrell, 1b, U. of Miami (Phillies, 1998/1st round, 1st pick)
2008 Draft: Eric Hosmer, 1b, American Heritage HS, Plantation (Royals/1st round, 3rd pick)
2009 Draft: Bobby Borchering, 3b, Bishop Verot HS, Ft. Myers (Diamondbacks/1st round, 16th pick)
2010 Draft: Manny Machado, ss, Miami Brito HS (Orioles/1st round, 3rd pick)
2011 Draft: Francisco Lindor, ss, Montverde Academy (Cubs/1st round, 8th pick)
2012 Draft: Greg Zunino, c, U. of Florida (Mariners/1st round, 3rd pick)

2012 DRAFT OVERVIEW

College Players Drafted/Signed:
64/62
Junior College Players Drafted/Signed: 20/18
High School Players Drafted/Signed: 61/41

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete:
Cord Sandberg, of, Manatee HS
Best Hitter: Chris Okey, c, Eustis HS
Best Power: Zach Collins, c/1b, American Heritage HS
Best Speed: Josh Greene, of, Forest HS
Best Defender: Oscar Mercado, ss, Gaither HS
Best Velocity: Jonathon Crawford, rhp, Florida
Best Breaking Stuff: Chris Anderson, rhp, Jacksonville
Best Command: Tyler Danish, rhp, Durant HS




TOP PROSPECTS - GROUPS 1 and 2

GROUP 1 (rounds 1-3)

1. CHRIS ANDERSON, rhp, Jacksonville University (Jr.)
Anderson was a virtual unknown coming out of a Minnesota high school in 2010 and hardly raised his profile during his first two years at Jacksonville. He began to attract scout’s attention last summer in the Cape Cod League and vaulted into first round status early this spring when his fastball was topping out at 96 mph to go with a present plus slider. Anderson’s past few starts have been a bit rough, taking a bit of the shine as a possible top half of the first round candidate off, but he seems like a secure bet to be the first Florida based player off the board. For his complete PG Draft Focus profile, click here

This is PG 'DiamondKast' Level content.
You must be either an DiamondKast, Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports, or Scout subscriber to read the rest.

Sign in Subscribe Now

Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 6/22/2026

MLB Draft Reports: 400-500

Michael Albee
Article Image
MLB Draft Board: Top 500 400. Michael Barnett, RHP, UCLA R-R, 6-4/210, Lafayette, CA Previously Drafted: Never Drafted Michael Barnett has started games over the last four years for the Bruins, including 44 starts over the past three seasons. The fastball does not overpower hitters, but can generate ground balls at a high rate. A heavy fading changeup is the primary secondary pitch and plus offering. Barnett will use it often and miss bats at a high clip with it. A low-80’s slider adds a third offering. Barnett does not generate a ton of strikeouts, but pounds the zone and fills innings.  401. Connor Marshburn, RHP, UNC Wilmington R-R, 6-6/240, Cary, NC Previously Drafted: Never Drafted Connor Marshburn features an XL frame at 6-foot-6, 240-pounds. The right-hander throws from a low slot and attacks hitters with an east/west mix. The fastball works up to 94 mph with armside...
Tournaments | Story | 6/23/2026

UBC Northeast Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Mason Bicht (‘29 PA) stays hot, nukes this ball to dead CF for a Grand Slam💣 clear juice being put on display today #WWBANEChamp@PG_Scouting https://t.co/l24AwJ8RnB pic.twitter.com/iYgNvJcD2M — Perfect Game Mid-Atlantic (@PGMidAtlantic) June 13, 2026 Mason Bicht (2029 Lansdale, PA) was an absolute force offensively over the course of the WWBA Northeast Championship, ultimately ending his event with a well deserved most valuable player award. Finishing with a .571 BA including five doubles, a HR, and 14 RBI, the 6-foot-1, 210 pound prospect simply refused to get out, and was a major reason why his Philly Bandits squad walked away champs Monday afternoon. The stance for Bicht is relaxed and balanced with loose hands and plenty of bat speed to be found. He generates effortless carry to the pull side & middle of the field, flashing clear jump off the barrel with leverage created...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/23/2026

VSA, Swamp Crowned Co-Champs

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
VSA, Swamp Crowned Co-Champs After Nine-Inning Battle After three and a half hours under the hot Florida sun, VSA Sluggers 18 and Swamp Baseball’s City of Palms Championship battle ended in fitting fashion, with both teams sharing the title. The two teams remained tied 9-9 through nine innings before lightning in the area brought the championship matchup to a halt Monday afternoon. The two local programs have built a competitive rivalry, with several close matchups stemming from their proximity and familiarity with each other. Their history was evident throughout Monday’s matchup as emotions ran high, resulting in several heated exchanges and the eventual ejection of Swamp head coach Brian Porvaznik. Just three weeks earlier, the two teams met in the championship game of the BCS Qualifier, where VSA earned a 6-4 victory. Swamp entered Monday’s matchup looking to flip...
Tournaments | Story | 6/22/2026

Florida World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Ian Long (2026, Fort Myers, Fla.), a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed pitcher, came out firing for Swamp Baseball and ran his fastball up to 87 mph through the first inning. Generates power well with his lower half and does a nice job getting down the mound. Filled up the strike zone early and showed the ability to work ahead in counts. Samuel Mendoza (2026, Fort Myers, Fla.), a 5-foot-7, 155-pound right-handed pitcher, got the start for VSA and worked with a fastball in the low-80s. Mixed in a tight breaking ball that paired well off the heater and helped keep hitters off balance. Competed in the zone throughout his outing. Owen Augustine (2026, Fort Myers, Fla.), a 5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed pitcher, lived in the mid-80s with his fastball and made quick work of hitters. The ball comes out of his hand clean and he consistently attacked the strike zone. Showed confidence working...
Tournaments | Story | 6/23/2026

Coastal Region Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
James Propst (2031, Indian Trail, NC) stands at 5-foot-8, 150 pounds with a lean, athletic frame and developing strength. A left-handed hitter and thrower, Propst is a versatile utility player. He consistently makes hard contact and brings an aggressive approach to the plate. Staying connected throughout his swing, he works counts well and consistently produces quality at-bats. Propst had a great day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a home run. Overall, he delivered an impressive offensive performance. Daniel Davis (2030, Columbia, SC) stands at 5-foot-11, 145 pounds with a lean, athletic build and room to add strength. He bats right-handed and throws left-handed. He shows a wiry frame with quick-twitch athleticism, a balanced stance, and a repeatable swing, consistently squaring the ball up. Davis went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run, scoring two runs...
Tournaments | Story | 6/22/2026

14u WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
2030 SS Cash Kelly (Franklin, Tenn.) is a buzzing name this summer as someone who is off to a fast start and looks the part as one of the better pure hitters in this class. He’s very comfortable in the box, showing an innate feel to find the barrel (and limit swing-and-miss) while the hands are fast and he can really accelerate the barrel. Defensively he has been excellent making plays look easy, showing nice range and enough arm for the left side. Add in the fact that he’s a strong runner and you have someone that can impact the game a ton. 2030 SS/RHP Trey Vandergriff (Milton, Ga.) got a couple innings of work at the back end of East Cobb’s first game and looked awesome, striking out 5 of the 6 hitters he faced with big stuff. He sat 85-88, showing dynamic arm speed and a really athletic delivery, while the breaking ball feel stood out, showing he can land it in any...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/22/2026

Hot Bats Help AZBC 2027 Take Title

Emily Hicks
Article Image
After three days of competition, the 2026 BCS Challenge concluded with a championship matchup between AZBC 2027 EB and AZ Aztecs at Goodyear Ballpark. AZBC 2027 EB came out victorious with a 12-1 win for the tournament title. AZBC 2027 EB took control early, plating 4 runs in the 2nd inning after Aztecs put 1 on the board in the 1st. The offense continued to build momentum throughout the game, capitalizing on hitting and aggressive base running. Leading the way offensively was Griffin Gregory, who finished 2-3 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored. He got the game started for AZBC with a double lined out to left in the top of the 1st inning, getting the crowd and dugout going. Additionally, Beau Zacher, a top 500 ranked player,d went 2-2 with 1 double and 2 runs score, though he wasn't the only one to help out the offense. Logan Sanchez went 2-2 with 2 doubles and 1 run scored and hit .714...
Tournaments | Story | 6/19/2026

14u/15u Midwest World Series Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Aiden Weishaar (2029, Geneso, Ill.) physical power bat put together one of the most productive offensive performances of the event, showing big impact off the barrel with advanced strength and leverage through the swing. Collected six hits including two doubles and two home runs while driving in 13 runs, consistently doing damage in run-producing situations. Creates loud contact with present pull-side juice and projects for significant power as the frame and strength continue to mature. Middle of the order offensive profile with the ability to change the game with one swing. Also stood out on the mound with a dominant 7 inning performance, punching out 11 hitters while working efficiently throughout the outing. Fastball ran up to 86 mph with good life through the zone and showed the ability to consistently attack hitters and miss bats. Highly intriguing two-way prospect whose combination...
Tournaments | Story | 6/19/2026

14u WWBA Returns to Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
One of the most anticipated events on the summer travel baseball calendar returns this week as the 2026 Perfect Game 14U WWBA National Championship gets underway in Hoover and the surrounding Birmingham area. Now in its 19th year, the tournament has established itself as the premier event for 14U players across the country, annually attracting some of the top young talent in amateur baseball. This year’s championship will feature 129 teams competing for a national title, continuing a tradition that has seen organizations such as East Cobb Astros, Team Elite, USA Prime, SBA Bolts National, and defending champion ZT National Prospects take home the trophy. As always, the field is loaded with elite prospects, many of whom are already becoming familiar names within the Perfect Game community. Starting off strong with Christopher Cabrera, the No. 1 overall player and No. 1 third baseman...
Tournaments | Story | 6/19/2026

UBC West Scout Notes: Days 5-7

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
UBC West Scout Notes: Days 1-2 | Days 3-4 Impressive performance on both sides from Cole Migaki, working 5 and striking out 3 w/o allowing a walk for the ND. FB 81-83 T85, BB 73-74 #UBCWest https://t.co/nSIx0UVQY7 pic.twitter.com/t2zXIpPLCO — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 16, 2026 Cole Migaki (2029, Vancouver, Wash.) Migaki is a high-end prospect, putting that on display with one of the more consistent performances at the 15u UBC West.  He totaled five hits, drove in four and walked six times to only two strike outs to help lead the Baum Bats to the title.  He has a projectable frame 6-foot-1, 170-pounds with strength throughout.  The right-hander made an appearance on the mound, throwing five-innings and striking out three without allowing a walk.  The fastball was up to 86 with run and coupled it with a sharp breaking ball in the...
Loading more articles...