Third Set Of NHSI Matchups Unveiled

USA Baseball on Wednesday unveiled the third set of matchups for the 2016 National High School Invitational. You can see a video breakdown here.

The first matchup of Pod 3 pits Mater Dei High, Santa Ana, Calif. against 2014 NHSI champ The First Academy of Orlando, Fla.

Mater Dei won the NHSI in 2012 and 2013, and is the first team to play in the event for a third time. Senior outfielder Josh Stephen is one of the better pure hitters in the 2016 class, a lefthanded hitter with an impressive blend of bat speed, pitch recognition and timing. The First Academy has several players committed to play at college baseball power conference schools. Senior righthander/third baseman Garrett Milchin, a Florida commit, has two-way potential, with sound tools as a position player, and the ability to bump 90 mph with his fastball. Several underclassmen should have an impact as well, with 2017 Notre Dame commit Cash Case manning shortstop, 2018 Florida commit Kendrick Calilao in the outfield, and 2019 righthander Joseph Charles expected to have an impact as a freshman.

The second matchup of this pod features Florence (Ala.) High vs. Liberty Christian Academy, Lynchburg, Va.

Florence High has two of the tournament’s most promising pitching prospects. Lefthander Braxton Garrett has a free and easy delivery and a projectable three-pitch mix. He’s committed to Vanderbilt, but will have a chance to put himself in Day One consideration for the 2016 draft with a strong spring. Following Garrett, 2018 righthander Cole Henry, a Louisiana State commit, has promising stuff and had early success as a freshman. Liberty Christian will be the first team from Virginia to play at NHSI, and rotation ace Zach Hess could be the hardest thrower at the event. Hess has gained strength this winter, and he was already able to hit 95 mph with his fastball last summer.