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High School  | Blog | 2/19/2009

Metro Orlando Preseason All-Senior Team

Central Florida Correspondent
RHP - Scott Allen, Lyman HS, Uncommitted - Allen is a long lanky RHP who pitches with a deceptive three quarters arm angle.  His fastball regularly sits in the 89-91 range, but has been clocked up to 94.  Allen has the makings of a very good slider which is particularly hard on RHHs.  Allen will need to show his ability to throw his off-speed for strikes, but has the raw arm strength to intrigue Major League clubs this summer.  Allen is a member of the Florida Stars.
 
RHP - Malcolm Clapsaddle, Oviedo HS, University of Georgia - Clapsaddle is a 6'2 RHP with a loose and quick arm.  He usually shows good command of three pitches and throws his FB in the 88-90 mph range with consistency.  One knock on Clapsaddle has been his inconsistency in competing against top competition.  He tends to fill the strike zone a little too much and has shown a tendency to get hit.  Their is no denying his arm though, and he will probably flourish at the collegiate level with some refinement.  Clapsaddle is a member of the Florida Hardballers.
 
LHP - Steven Ewing, University HS, University of Miami - Ewing is an intimidating mound presence at 6'3 and 225 lbs.  He has a quick arm that produces plus life and arm side run.  Although Ewing's fastballs usually register in the 85-88 mph range, he seems to get batters to swing like he is throwing 90.  Ewing also sports a hard breaking slider that he can either thrown in on RHHs or away from LHHs with good results.  He racks up a tone of Ks with this offering.  At the next level, Ewing will need to refine his change, but has the makings of an excellent college LHH who will be a good college draft.  Ewing is a member of the Florida Bombers.
 
LHP - Jason Boyer, Bishop Moore HS, Florida Atlantic University - Boyer is an extremely slender 6'1, 160 lb pitcher who has a loose whippy arm action.  Boyer's fastball explodes on hitters with late life and dynamite arm side run.  Boyer projects to add more velocity as he adds strength to his slender frame and is a sleeper for the 2012 draft.  His curveball and changeup are current average offerings that he throws for strikes at any time in the count.  Boyer will lead Bishop Moore's threesome of tough lefties this spring.  Boyer is a member of the Orlando Scorpions.

C - Nate Gonzalez, East Ridge HS, Vanderbilt University - Nate Gonzalez is a strong and stocky 5'10 and 195 lbs.  Gonzalez takes charge behind the plate and is an ultimate field general.  Pitchers enjoy throwing to Gonzalez because of his blocking and receiving skills.  Gonzalez has come a long way with his catch and throw skills and now consistently pops between 1.95 and 2.05 in games.  Nate is a disciplined hitter who uses the whole field well and has a knack for squaring up the baseball.  He only knows one way to play, and that is 100%.  Nate is a member of the Orlando Scorpions.
 
INF - Nick Franklin, Lake Brantley HS, Auburn University - Franklin is a switch hitting SS with above average speed and arm strength.  Franklin has been extremely successful at the High School level, helping lead his team to the 2008 Class 6A State Championship.  Franklin has also been a member of USA Baseball's 16U and 18U National Teams over the past two summers.  Franklin creates extremely good leverage in his left-handed swing and profiles to hit for power from that side.  Right-handed his swing plane is more of the line-drive variety and a little inconsistent, although he has recently shown the ability to handle good pitching from that side of the plate.  Franklin is a 6.6 runner and shows his arm strength off by serving as Lake Brantley's closer where he runs his fastball into the low 90s.  Franklin is a hard worker and will be watched closely this spring by MLB teams.  Franklin is a member of the Orlando Scorpions.
 
INF - Nolan Fontana, West Orange HS, University of Florida - Fontana has been described by many as a "gamer."  This is true, however, Fontana's tools are special as well.  He runs in the 6.6-6.7 range, has plus defensive range, and a plus arm.  He makes routine and spectacular plays alike, and does it with regularity.  Offensively, Fontana hits from an open stance and has a tendency to pull off the baseball.  He has a knack for getting on base and a very good eye at the plate.  He profiles as a Dustin Pedroia type player, a guy that you underestimate until he just does it over and over again.  Fontana is a member of the Orlando Scorpions.
 
INF - Anthony Caronia, Bishop Moore HS, University of Central Florida - While Caronia does not have the arm strength or glove of the two INFs mentioned above, he can flat run.  Caronia has game changing speed and uses it to his advantage.  He is an excellent bunter and knows how to put the ball in play the other way.  Although Caronia plays 2B currently, he may profile best as centerfielder at the next level.  Caronia is a member of the Orlando Scorpions.
 
INF - Chase Vergason, Bishop Moore HS, Florida Atlantic University - Vergason is a left handed hitting shortstop who may be one of the best offensive players in Central Florida.  Although limited currently because of his strength, Vergason has been a leading hitter for the Hornets for several years.  Vergason creates good leverage at point of contact, and as he continues to fill out his lanky frame, projects to hit with some pop.  He uses the whole field well and is very patient.  Defensively, Vergason has excellent range and soft hands.  His arm strength is fringy at best, however with added strength this tool has the possibility of becoming average.  Vergason is a member of the Orlando Scorpions.
 
OF - Mark Nelson, Dr. Phillips HS, Florida Atlantic University - Nelson is an extremely projectable LHH outfielder.  Nelson does is currently listed at 170 lbs, although this is probably stretching it by 10 pounds.  He has a nice hitting stroke that produces line drives to all fields at this time.  With added strength, Nelson could turn into a hitting machine.  He has an above average arm, but below average speed.  In order to excel at the next level, Nelson will probably be relegated to a corner OF position, and will need to show that he has the ability to hit for the power needed at these offensive positions. Nelson is a member of the Orlando Scorpions.
 
OF - Jabari Henry, Olympia HS, Florida International University -  The tool that stands out the most for Henry is the bat.  Henry has above average power in a very compact swing.  In the opening game of the High School season, Henry took a Steven Ewing (listed above) offering deep to center field for the only run in his teams 1-0 win.  He has shown an ability to hit top level hitting and will be watched extremely closely over the next few months.  Jabari profiles at the next level as a power hitting left-fielder.  Henry is a member of Chet Lemon's Juice. 
 
OF - James Mannara, Bishop Moore HS, Florida Tech - Mannara is not a prototypical "prospect", however no one can deny his ability to perform at a high level.  Mannara does not have explosive speed, but he gets great reads and tracks down many balls that you would not expect him to.  At the plate he is a left-handed swinger with the ability to hit for a high average.  He also pitches and can run his fastball up to 87 from the left side.  Although Mannara will not garner much pro interest this year, he will excel at the collegiate level and may make a good college draft someday.  James is a member of the Orlando Scorpions.
 
DH - Chris Taladay, Olympia HS, University of Central Florida - Taladay, who catches for his high school, deserves recognition with this group, although his catching skills are a tick behind Gonzalez.  Taladay is a left-handed swinger who projects as a middle of the lineup run producer at the next level.  Taladay has a tendency to drift during his swing, but has the ability to keep his hands back and drive the baseball.  Along with outfielder Jabari Henry, Taladay makes up the most dynamic 1-2 punch in Metro Orlando.  Talladay is a member of Chet Lemon's Juice.
 
Util - Brian Johnson, Edgewater HS, High Point University - Brian Johnson is a RHP/1B who is known in Central Florida as one of the best big game pitchers around.  He runs his fastball into the upper 80s with a short, repeatable arm stroke, and features a short, lake breaking slider.  Johnson has a durable frame and is a workhorse.  At the plate Brian can handle upper level pitching and has present gap power.  Johnson is a member of the Orlando Baseball Academy.

The All-Junior team will be released next week, followed by the Sophomore class.
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