Prep Baseball Report

2018 Florida Trials: Quick Hits


Doug Freeman and Mike Maerz


This past weekend at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL, high school prospects ranging from the 2019-2022 classes participated in the 2018 Florida Trials which served as an integral identifier for upcoming high-profile, invite-only events, like the All-State Games and Future Games, as well as Preseason All-State and the national Super 60 showcase. Players participated in a pro-style workout followed by one ten inning game.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will breakdown each position through stats, report, video, and more. Below we take a look at some quick news and notes from the event along with a look at those who performed well. We will have more detailed breakdown to come next week, breaking down every player and listing who we feel were the top players in each position.

2020 C Declan McDermott is somewhat undersized, but creates present leverage and gap to gap power using the lower half. Took a loud BP and had a hard hit triple in the left-center field gap during the game.

2019 MIF Elian Roman is not the twitchiest middle infielder, but shows a well above average feel for the middle infield and the actions and instincts has him an above average defender. Offensively, the switch hitter has potential from both sides of the plate.

2020 C/1B Joaquin Monque showed an above average arm behind the plate with pop times in the 1.92-2.06 range. Took one of the loudest rounds of BP, Works with rhythm and showed present pull power and can see having above average power in the future.

2020 C Bennett Lee showed offensive potential and a feel for the barrel during batting practice when he sprayed line drives all over, going gap-to-gap. Was also equally if not more impressive behind the plate where he threw out two base runners at second, one time from his knees.

2019 RHP/3B Gregory Martinez has a big, strong frame standing at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. There is some swing and miss, but showed some present pull side power at the plate. Up to 88 on the mound.

2020 SS Jacob Starling is an all around athlete with a feel both offensively, defensively and on the basepath. Twitchy hands with bat speed and bat to ball skills, rangy defender and stole multiple bases.

2020 OF Jalen DeBose is a high ceiling outfielder with above average athleticism. Throws have carry and the swing has power potential.

2019 OF Bryan Scribner showed range in centerfield during gameplay when he ran a ball down for an out deep in the right-center field gap. Also, had a hard hit single in the game.

2020 OF/RHP Michael Lindsey showed some athleticism with carry and accuracy on his throws from right field during defensive evaluations.

2020 SS/RHP Jake Mills showed rangy, athletic actions in the middle and offensive potential. Also showed a loose arm on the mound up to 83 mph with some feel to pitch.

2020 C/MIF Brendan Roney showed above average all around defensive tools. Despite not getting a hit, he was on the barrel in both of his at-bats.

2021 1B William Hagen has a strong, solid frame. Had a hard RBI single down the right field during the game. Registered the top exit velocity of 88 mph exit velocity in the cage.  

2022 IF Christian Soto has a strong lower half and was not overmatched against older competition. Had a hard hit single and overall advanced actions to follow.

2020 MIF Sterlin Thompson has a projectable, lean frame with withatic actions in the middle. Offensively, he has loose wrists and works over the front foot. Present feel and power potential. Had a single in the game.

2020 C Travis Stapleton is a stocky catcher with catch, throw and receive skills. Showed present gap-to-gap strength offensively.

2020 3B/RHP Jake Isenman has a strong, solid frame. Had the highest exit velocity of the day at 88 mph. Also was 82 mph across the infield during defensive evaluations.

2020 OF Joey Cicini showed some quick twitch and speed on the basepaths, registering the fastest home to first time at 4.25 secs.

2020 RHP Chris Coll struck out three in his two innings of work.

2020 MIF Felix Cruz Jr is somewhat undersized, but feet and hands work well defensively. Also, had a pair of singles in game play.

2022 MIF Connor Fosnow has a lot of present athleticism with a very projectable young frame. The tools were intriguing both offensively and defensively.