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High School  | Blog | 2/5/2009

Central Florida's Preseason Top Five

Central Florida Correspondent
Central Florida's Preseason Top 5

1. Oviedo High School (6A) - Oviedo heads the list of preseason favorites in the Orlando area for the 2009 High School season. Oviedo is led by a quartet of top arms, headlined by PGCrosschecker's #1 2010 prospect, RHP AJ Cole. AJ runs his fastball into the mid 90s and continues to develop his offspeed offerings. Malcolm Clapsaddle (2009, Georgia) is Oviedo's second 90 mph arm and figures to continue his domination of the high school competition this year. 2010 grad, LHP Trevor Berry, is a lanky 6'2'', who pitches in the mid 80s and commands two plus offspeed offerings. Trevor recently became UCF's first verbal commitment for the 2010 class. The end of the rotation will be anchored by 2011 prospect, Ryan Meyer. Meyer is Cole's look-a-like, standing at 6'5. Meyer's stuff is a little raw at this time and has not been battled tested, but the sophomore can run his fastball into the upper 80s. He is an intimidating mound presence and has the ability to give the Lions quality innings out of the bullpen. As long as Oviedo can find a way to manufacture runs, they should be able to make a deep run into the State playoffs. MIF Todd Hankins (2009, Georgia) will be their top returning position player.

2. West Orange High School (6A) - West Orange returns a bulk of it's starters from their 2008 Region Final team. Led by 2009 graduates Nolan Fontana (SS/RHP, Florida), Blake Dieterich (LHP/1B, Georgia), and 2010 graduate Mason Williams (OF/RHP), the Warriors will be a tough match-up for any team locally. Fontana, a member of the 18U Youth National Team this summer, is one of the ultimate gamers in the state. A left-handing hitting middle infielder, Fontana has an advanced feel for the game, and leadership skills that you can't teach. He will also be relied upon heavily as the teams closer this spring. Dieterich is as good a lefty as any in Central Florida, commanding a mid-to-upper 80s fastball and a tight 12-6 curve. Dieterich has been very effective over his three years in a Warriors uniform, and will look to continue his winning ways. The last of the Warriors "Big 3" is Mason Williams, one of the most athletic and dynamic players in Orlando. He has a greyhound type body, that pro scouts love to project. He packs surprising pop into his left handed swing and has a knack for getting on base. In the outfield, he has a plus arm and is a plus runner. Diving catches and outfield assists are the norm. Williams will also serve as the teams #2 starter. Williams changes arm angles on his fastball which he can run up to the upper 80s. He is very tough on right handed hitters. In addition to the team's three stars, West Orange has a impressively strong supporting cast, led by Christian Coburn (2010, OF), Aaron Spragg (2010, MIF), Albert Lefran (2010, INF), and Cody Denoylles (2012, C/INF).

3. Olympia High School (6A) - Despite the loss of All-State SS and Clemson recruit, Brad Miller, the Titans seem to be poised to make a run at supremacy in Central Florida. This team is all about offense. Their lineup will be lead by seniors Jabari Henry (OF, FIU), Chris Taladay (C, UCF), and AJ Mackey (Unsigned, MIF). Henry and Taladay, both members of Chet Lemon's Juice during the summer and fall, offer a 1-2 punch that could prove to be devastating. Both have the potential to lead central Florida in homeruns this season and should be a force. Mackey compliments the two boppers with his ability to consistently put the barrel on the ball and make things happen. While the senior class is impressive, a trio of Juniors, and a couple incoming freshman, may be what puts Olympia over the top. Brett Winger (RHP/3B), a transfer from local private school Bishop Moore, brings an electric arm and promising bat. Brett commands an upper 80s/90 mph fastball to compliment his developing offspeed pitches. He will serve as the teams #1 pitcher and third baseman. Dom Attanasio and Trevor Seimian, both 2010 grads, will provide additional punch to Olympia's potent line-up. Attanasio does not stand tall in stature, but all of his tools grade out as average to above average. He is a plus runner (6.7-6.8), with plus arm-strength (89 from the OF). He can excel in all facets of the game. Siemian will anchor the infield at SS, and currently has a big league body, with big league tools. He is untested in game situations at SS, and it will be interesting if he can fill the big shoes left by Miller. Two 2012 grads who will look to contribute to the teams success are Jesse Winker and Walker Wieckel. Winker is a left-handed hitting outfield who has current power beyond his age. His advanced approach will serve him well as a freshman playing varsity. Wieckel is a 6'5 RHP/OF, who presently runs his fastball into the upper 80s. He is a little raw, but will be a definite follow over the coming years. Olympia's success will boil down to their ability to pitch and play defense. If they can find a reliable pitcher beyond Winger, it could be a fruitful year for the Titans.

4. University High School (6A) - Unlike Olympia High School, University will be lead by a trio of pitchers and will look for ways to manufacture runs as their formula for success. Most high schools are happy to have one talented pitcher, let alone three. To sweeten the pot even more for the Cougars, each of these pitchers is left-handed. The trio is lead by seniors Brian Adkins (UCF) and Steven Ewing (University of Miami). The two bring different game plans to the table: Adkins relies on his pitchablity, while Ewing relies on "stuff." Adkins usually pitches in the mid 80s and effectively changes speeds and keeps hitters off-balance, while Ewing pounds the zone with a boring upper 80s fastball and plus-plus curveball. The third starter on the staff, 2010 grad Justin Nicolino, is currently a combo of his two counterparts. Each lefty has the ability to be a shut-down guy and they will feed off eachother during the 2009 campaign. Most times, catchers are overlooked as a part of the equation to a pitchers success, but in the case of University catcher Corey Bass this could be anything farther from the truth. Bass controls the running game better than any in the Orlando area, and is a large reason his pitching staff has been so successful. He commands respect from teammates and opponents alike, and is one of the consumate game managers. Bass and SS Nick Goody will anchor the Cougars offensive attack this spring. University will not give up many runs during the upcoming season, and will be a handful come playoff time.

5. Bishop Moore High School (4A) - Although Bishop Moore does not play in the FHSAA's highest classification (6A), no one can deny their ability to play with the "big boys." Like University, this pitching rotation will be headlined by three highly effective lefties. 2009 graduates Jason Boyer (FAU) and James Mannara (Florida Tech) will team up with 2010 grad Jimmy Hodgskin (Troy) to give the Hornets an incredibly talented starting rotation. Boyer, who threw a no-hiiter this summer at the WWBA National Championships in Atlanta, has a loose arm that produces mid to upper 80s fastballs. Mannara is a proven winner who registered a 9-0 record during Bishop Moore's 2007 State Championship run. Mannara can run his fastball into the upper 80s as well, but typically pitches in the mid 80s with plus armside run. Hodgskin, a recent Troy University committ, pitches comfortable in the mid 80s as well, and is no stranger to high level competition. The Hornets offense will be led by their middle infield: Shortstop Chase Vergason (FAU) and Second Baseman Anthony Caronia (UCF). Both Vergason and Caronia swing the bat from the left-side, have advanced athleticism, and have proven success at the high school level. The two will be a terror on the basepaths and will set the table for sophomore Sean Trent. Trent is a 6'1'', 200 lb, sophomore 3B/C who is one of the top hitters in Central Florida, regardless of graduation year. He has a short stroke that produces a high average as well as above average power. Trent will be making the jump from the infield to behind the plate this spring, and should have no problem joining the line of past great Bishop Moore catchers: Greg Dini, Andrew Butera, Max Sapp, and Ben McMahan. The Hornets had a dissapointing loss in last year's district tournament and look primed to return to their 2007 State Championship form.

The "Best of the Rest"

Lake Brantley High School - 2008 6A State Champions will look to reload after losing a hoard of meaningful senior talent including Dalton Hicks (UCF), Ted Blackman (Miami), Greg Larson (Florida), Josh Ledford (Seminole CC), JT Warmoth (Embry Riddle), and Ryan Markell (Daytona Beach State College), among others. The Patriots do return top prospect SS Nick Franklin (Auburn). The switch-hitting Franklin will be relied on heavily this spring. Lake Brantley is a traditional power and always seems to reload.

East Ridge High School - East Ridge, who is the same district as West Orange and Olympia, will be lead by Vanderbilt bound C Nate Gonzalez. Gonzalez is a former member of the USA Youth National Team and will look to lead a team who is generally unproven. 2010 graduates OF Tyler Dye and INF Devon Workman (FAU) are two talented players who bear watching this spring.
Edgewater High School - The Eagles are always a tough out in the playoffs and this year will be no different. RHP/DH Brian Johnson (High Point) is a proven big game pitcher. With Johnson on the mound, the Eagles have a chance to beat any team in Central Florida. The offense will be centered around 2010 graduates SS Blake Prince and OF Garrett Gleiter. The Eagles are well coached and will be ready to play come playoff time.

Freedom High School - This team from the south side of Orlando has a chance to make some waves this spring. The Patriots return a solid pitching rotation which includes senior Jason Sickles. The offense will be lead by returning All-Metro conference DH, 2011 grad Sikes Orvis as well as OFers, brothers, Jay and Nelson Gonzalez.
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