2017 State Draft Report: Florida

CROP RATING
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Rating compares this year’s group to what a state typically produces, not to other states

There are usually a couple players from the Sunshine State in consideration for the top few picks of the draft. That isn’t the case in 2017, with no prospect expected to be selected in the top five, and Florida righthander Alex Faedo being the highest-ranked prospect in the state and No. 10 in the BA 500.

While the state of Florida lacks a premier talent like Kyle Tucker or Brendan Rogers, it’s as deep as ever, with droves of projectable prep arms and an exceptional class of junior college prospects. Beginning in the back of the first round and continuing through all of day two, players from Florida could dominate the draft.

As in years past, there will also be plenty of prep prospects who will choose to attend college, where they’ll develop into premium draft talents later on. Virginia prospects Adam Haseley and Pavin Smith rose from Florida’s prep ranks to develop into slam dunk first round picks, as did Faedo with the Gators.

NATIONAL TOP 500 PROSPECTS

BA 500 Scouting Reports

1. Alex Faedo, RHP, Florida (10)
2. Nate Pearson, RHP, JC of Central Florida (13)
3. Brendon Little, LHP, State JC of Florida (36)
4. Brady McConnell, SS, Merritt Island (Fla.) HS (39)
5. Mark Vientos, SS/3B, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla. (40)
6. Chris Seise, SS, West Orange HS, Winter Garden, Fla. (46)
7. Kevin Merrell, SS, South Florida (51)
8. M.J. Melendez, C, Westminster Christian School, Palmetto Bay, Fla. (52)
9. Jeter Downs, SS, Pace HS, Miami Gardens (53)
10. James Marinan, RHP, Park Vista HS, Lake Worth, Fla. (58)
11. Jake Eder, LHP, Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale (69)
12. Tommy Mace, RHP, Sunlake HS, Land O’ Lakes, Fla. (88)
13. Evan Steele, LHP, Chipola (Fla.) JC (90)
14. Andrew Bechtold, 3B, Chipola (Fla.) JC (95)
15. Joe Perez, RHP/1B, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla. (98)
16. Mike Baumann, RHP, Jacksonville (103)
17. Shane Drohan, LHP, Cardinal Newman HS, West Palm Beach, Fla. (106)
18. C.J. Van Eyk, RHP, Steinbrenner HS, Lutz, Fla. (109)
19. Sam Keating, RHP, Canterbury HS, Fort Myers, Fla. (116)
20. Sam McMillan, C, Suwannee HS, Live Oak, Fla. (117)
21. Dylan Busby, 3B/1B, Florida State (129)
22. Austin Martin, SS, Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville (134)
23. Hunter Ruth, RHP, Buchholz HS, Gainesville, Fla. (135)
24. Logan Allen, LHP, University HS, Orange City, Fla. (143)
25. Jordan Spicer, RHP, Polk State (Fla.) JC (144)
26. Garrett Cave, RHP, Tampa (160)
27. Taylor Walls, SS, Florida State (165)
28. Dalton Guthrie, SS, Florida (168)
29. Freddy Tarnok, RHP, Riverview (Fla.) HS (170)
30. Jack Leftwich, RHP, The Next Level Academy, Orlando (173)
31. Michael Rivera, C, Florida (175)
32. Tyler Holton, LHP, Florida State (180)
33. Zach Jackson, C, Winter Haven (Fla.) HS (182)
34. Reynaldo Rivera, OF, Chipola (Fla.) JC (191)
35. Bowden Francis, RHP, Chipola (Fla.) JC (194)
36. Alex Toral, 1B, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla. (199)
37. A.J. Labas, RHP, Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. (226)
38. Christian Robinson, OF, Viera High, Melbourne, Fla. (236)
39. Harrison Francis, RHP, Lawton Chiles HS, Tallassee, Fla. (238)
40. Tim Elko, 1B, Hillsborough HS, Tampa (248)
41. Jordan Butler, LHP, Alonso HS, Tampa (251)
42. Andrew Karp, RHP, Florida State (253)
43. Christian Santana, RHP, American Heritage High, Plantation, Fla. (264)
44. Ricky Vanasco, RHP, Williston (Fla.) (269)
45. Jackson Tetreault, RHP, State College of Florida JC (286)
46. Gio Arrierra, RHP, Palm Beach State (Fla.) JC (292)
47. Bryson Hutchinson, RHP, DeLand (Fla.) HS (306)
48. Calvin Greenfield, C, Jensen Beach (Fla.) HS (307)
49. Cooper Swanson, SS, Canterbury HS, Fort Myers, Fla. (310)
50. Cash Case, SS, The First Academy, Orlando (324)
51. Matt Golda, SS, Inspiration Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (328)
52. Gabe Rivera, OF, Killian HS, Miami (329)
53. Jackson Stoeckinger, LHP, Central Florida JC (351)
54. J.J. Schwarz, C, Florida (374)
55. Jason Bahr, RHP, Central Florida (379)
56. Ryan Dease, RHP, The Next Level Academy, Longwood, Fla. (381)
57. Shameko Smith, RHP, Polk State (Fla.) JC (383)
58. Joey Cavallaro, RHP, South Florida (397)
59. Reese Albert, OF, Jupiter (Fla.) HS (402)
60. Ryan Karstetter, 3B, State College of Florida (403)
61. Riley Cabral, RHP, Chipola (Fla.) JC (405)
62. Austin Pollock, LHP, Lincoln HS, Tallahassee (406)
63. Andres Santana, OF, Doral Academy, Miami (411)
64. Austin Bates, C, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (417)
65. Mark Kolozsvary, C, Florida (432)
66. Connor Allen, 1B, Merritt Island (Fla.) HS (440)
67. Dalton Wingo, OF, Plant City (Fla.) HS (461)
68. Oraj Anu, OF, The Next Level Academy, Longwood, Fla. (472)
69. Graham Hoffman, RHP, Calvary Christian HS, Clearwater, Fla. (475)
70. Brandon McCabe, RHP, Forest Hill HS, West Palm Beach, Fla. (488)

OTHER PROSPECTS OF NOTE

2017 Draft Map

71. Pearson McMahan, RHP, St. John’s River State (Fla.) JC
72. Deacon Liput, 2B, Florida
73. Jose Garcia, C, Doral Academy, Miami
74. Troy Bacon, RHP, Sante Fe (Fla.) JC
75. Dylan Cloonan, LHP, Westminster Christian HS, Palmetto Bay, Fla.
76. Robert Touron, RHP, Gulliver Prep, Miami
77. Michael Rothenberg, C, Pine Crest HS, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
78. Donovan Benoit, RHP/OF, Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic HS
79. Shane Shifflett, SS/OF, Venice (Fla.) Senior HS
80. Matt Turner, LHP, Palmetto (Fla.) HS
81. Patrick Dorrian, 3B, Lynn (Fla.)
82. Carl Chester, OF, Miami
83. Jared Johnson, LHP, Palm Beach State (Fla.) JC
84. Colton Gordon-Zimring, LHP, Lakewood Ranch HS, Bradenton, Fla.
85. Nate Gillen, LHP, Estero (Fla.) HS
86. Brady Smith, C, The Next Level Academy, Longwood, Fla.
87. Max Lazar, RHP, Coral Springs (Fla.) HS
88. Phoenix Sanders, RHP, South Florida
89. Patrick Morris, 1B, Steinbrenner HS, Lutz, Fla.
90. Max Guzman, C/3B, Chipola (Fla.) JC
91. Conor Grady, RHP, Tampa (Fla.) Catholic HS
92. Robb Adams, LHP, DeSoto County HS, Arcadia, Fla.
93. Francis Villaman, SS, Olympia HS, Orlando
94. Justin Farmer, OF, Riverview (Fla.) HS
95. Brian Gursky, LHP, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.
96. Tyler Esplin, OF, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.
97. Austin James, SS, State College of Florida JC
98. Jake Walsh, RHP, Florida Southern
99. Darrin Kilfoyl, RHP, Academy At The Lakes, Land O’Lakes, Fla.
100. Giovany Lorenzo, C, Canterbury HS, Fort Myers, Fla.
101. Adan Fernandez, OF, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
102. Kevin Santa, SS, Tampa
103. Kyle Marsh, , Central Florida
104. Conner Nurse, RHP/OF, Ridge Community HS, Haines City, Fla.
105. Jake Molle, C, University HS, Orange City, Fla.
106. Matt Morales, SS, Palm Beach State (Fla.) JC
107. Nick Rivera, 1B, Florida Gulf Coast
108. Tyler Ahearn, RHP, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.
109. David Vasquez, SS, Stoneman Douglas HS, Parkland, Fla.
110. Ray Gil, 3B, Gulliver Prep, Pinecrest, Fla.
111. Jaren Shelby, OF, State College of Florida JC
112. Shane Roberts, RHP, Dywer HS, Jupiter, Fla.
113. Andy Rohloff, RHP, Central Florida
114. Ubaldo Lopez, 2B/OF, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
115. Anthony Servideo, SS/2B, Jupiter (Fla.) HS
116. Vince Coletti, RHP, Palm Beach State (Fla.) JC
117. Justin Smith, OF, St. John’s River State (Fla.) JC
118. Andrew Fernandez, C, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
119. Chris Mauloni, LHP, Oakleaf HS, Clay County, Fla.
120. Caleb Williams, LHP, Venice (Fla.) HS
121. Deandre Shelton, SS, West Orange HS, Winter Garden, Fla.
122. Ethan Richards, RHP, Plant HS, Tampa
123. Freddy Zamora, SS/3B, Killian HS, Miami
124. Mason Doolittle, C, Jupiter (Fla.) HS
125. Kyle Farjad, LHP, Palm Beach State (Fla.) JC
126. Adrian Chacon, 1B/C, Tampa
127. Everett Hurst, RHP, Sebring (Fla.) HS
128. Josh Crouch, INF/OF, Sebring (Fla.) HS
129. Keshawn Lynch, SS/2B, State College of Florida JC
130. J.C. Escarra, INF/C, Florida International
131. Daniel Federman, RHP, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
132. Quincy Nieporte, 1B, Florida State
133. Robert Bell, 3B/OF, Seabreaze HS, Daytona Beach, Fla.
134. Max Clark, RHP/OF, Winter Park (Fla.) HS
135. Edmond Americaan, OF, Chipola JC
136. Jordan Scheftz, RHP, Central Florida
137. Nick Blasucci, RHP, Tallahassee CC
138. Raudy Martinez, OF, Polk State (Fla.) JC
139. Bubba Sangster, 1B, Ocoee (Fla.) HS
140. Jason Swan, OF/SS, Atlantic Coast HS, Jacksonville, Fla.
141. Jose Visaez, RHP, University Christian School, Jacksonville, Fla.
142. Luis Aviles, C/1B, Westminster Christian HS, Palmetto Bay, Fla.
143. Zane Stephens, RHP, Suwannee (Fla.) HS
144. Duke Stunkel Jr., OF, South Florida
145. Ryan Valdes, RHP, South Florida
146. Stephen Kerr, 2B, Florida Atlantic
147. Irving Lopez, INF, Florida International
148. Alec Byrd, LHP, Florida State
149. Jim Voyles, RHP, Florida State
150. Logan Lacy, RHP, Godby HS, Tallahassee, Fla.
151. Karl Ellison, C, Lynn (Fla.)
152. Blake Ebo, OF, Indian River (Fla.) JC
153. Aubrey McCarty, RHP/LHP/OF, Florida A&M
154. John Capra, SS, Florida A&M
155. Andrew Carber, RHP, Chipola (Fla.) JC
156. Henry Ryan, RHP, State College of Florida JC

Shane Shifflett, SS/OF, Venice (Fla.) Senior HS
Shifflett’s best attribute is his plus-plus speed. He has quick hands and hits line drives from both sides of the plate. He’s committed to Florida, where he could develop into a promising prospect down the line if he’s able to get stronger and add more power.

Jared Johnson, LHP, Palm Beach State (Fla.) JC
A 6-foot-3 southpaw who has shown advanced control with an 88-92 mph fastball, Johnson fanned 77 batters and walked 27 this spring with Palm Beach State in 69.1 innings.

Patrick Morris, 1B, Steinbrenner HS, Lutz, Fla.
Morris has a reputation for his dangerous lefthanded bat. He’s got a knack for driving the ball with tight backspin and shows above-average bat speed with a quick, whippy swing. As a prep first baseman with limited track record against hitting against professional-caliber pitching, Morris could boost his draft stock by proving himself in college.

Matt Morales, SS, Palm Beach State (Fla.) JC
Morales has seen a lot of interest at shortstop this season, showing soft hands and a plus arm defensively, to go along with athleticism and some ability to hit. He is a Central Florida signee.

Ubaldo Lopez, 2B/OF, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
Lopez doesn’t have an obvious position for the next level, but his bat will play. He shows above-average bat speed and has feel for using the whole field. He’s set to attend Dartmouth, where he could immediately be one of the best hitters in the Ivy League and could earn a chance to play professionally if he adds more power and improves his defense in college.

Anthony Servideo, SS/2B, Jupiter (Fla.) HS
Servideo shows smooth actions at shortstop. He has a wiry build with room to add strength as he matures. Scouts would like to see him hit for more power, something he could do after adding strength in college.

Daniel Federman, RHP, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
Federman generates above-average life on his fastball, which works mostly at 87-91 and has touched 92. His delivery starts with an overhead hand pump and he has a deep arm swing after his hands break. Federman has a fluid motion with lots of moving parts. His curveball works in the mid-to-upper 70s with short vertical break, and he sometimes throws a slower version of it in the low 70s with humping break. His athleticism and arm speed give him a chance to develop more velocity as he matures. He could be a quick contributor for Miami as a freshman, and could develop into a more substantial draft prospect after college.

Luis Aviles, C/1B, Westminster Christian HS, Palmetto Bay, Fla.
Aviles has intriguing bat speed and power potential. His defensive future is uncertain, but he’ll have a place to play as long as his power continues to play.