Prep Baseball Report

2022 Power25 Countdown: Bubble Teams


PBR Florida
PBR Florida Staff

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. Prior to that, we will break down some other teams across the state and what to watch for. Today, we will take a look at some of the teams on the bubble of the Top 25.

Team: Bishop Verot
2021 Record: 19-9
FHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Casey Scott

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Kevin RisCassi, C, 2022 (Flagler)
Josiah Velazquez, LHP, 2022 (FGCU)
Kolton Curtis, RHP, 2022 (Barry)
Preston Heben, C, 2022
Dylan Peck, 3B, 2022
Aidan Knaak, RHP, 2023 (Clemson)
Preston Hall, OF, 2023
Carter Smith, SS/RHP, 2025

X-FACTOR

Aidan Knaak - Clemson commit is a new addition to the Verot roster and looks to be one of their top arms in 2022.

OUTLOOK

Bishop Verot fields a strong team year after year that battle against any opponent. Despite losing a few key contributors, they return many underclass contributors and add a key transfer in 2023 Clemson commit Aidan Knaak. Also joining the Vikings in 2022 is the No. 1 2025 in the state in SS/RHP Carter Smith.

 

Team: Mitchell
2021 Record: 22-7
FHSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: Howard Chittum

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Ashton Crowther, LHP, 2022 (Miami)
Zachary Crawford, SS, 2022 (Saint Leo)
Hayden Cockman, C, 2022 (College of Central Florida)
Jace Trautner, RHP/UTIL, 2022 (Indian River)
Aidan Miller, 3B/RHP, 2023 (Arkansas)
Christian Madeira, SS/RHP, 2023
Chase Nystrom, RHP/OF, 2024

X-FACTOR

Ashton Crowther - The Senior southpaw is the ace of this Mustangs' staff and brings premium stuff from the left side.

OUTLOOK

Coming off a Regional Semis finish, the Mitchell Mustangs have reloaded with a lot of key contributors from 2021. Miami commit Ashton Crowther returns as the team's ace after posting a 1.43 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 2021. Arkansas commit Aidan Miller led the team offensively with a 1.297 OPS and 19 extra base hits. Transfer Hayden Cockman joins the Mustangs and will be doing the catching for a talented staff.

 

Team: Out-of-Door Academy
2021 Record: 24-3
FHSAA Class: 2A
Head Coach: Mike Matthews

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Josh Cone, LHP, 2022 (USF)
Logan Tribble, OF, 2022 (Wofford)
Aidan Marino, SS, 2022
Luke Geske, RHP, 2023 (Miami)

X-FACTOR

Josh Cone - ODA's ace returns for his senior season after pitching the Thunder to a State Title.

OUTLOOK

Coming off a huge 2021 capped off by winning the 2A State Championship, ODA returns several key contributors and look to defend their title. USF commit Josh Cone finished 9-1 with a 1.39 ERA. Aidan Marino and Logan Tribble lead the offensive attack, and Junior Luke Geske will be a key contributor to the pitching staff. Can ODA repeat their 2021 success?

 

Team: St. Thomas Aquinas
2021 Record: 20-4
FHSAA Class: 6A
Head Coach: Joey Wardlow

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Roger Vergera, SS, 2022
Derek Rahim, OF, 2022
Daniel Cuvet, 3B, 2023 (Miami)
Ryan Liss, OF, 2023
Pavlos Piperakis, LHP, 2023
Michael Bollinger, RHP, 2023
Noah Greenseid, RHP, 2023
Christian Hamilton, OF, 2024 (Miami)
Anthony Ciscar, RHP, 2024 (Miami)

X-FACTOR

Daniel Cuvet - Cuvet leads the way for Aquinas again on offense after a huge 2021 season where he hit .458 with 21 extra base hits.

OUTLOOK

St. Thomas Aquinas has another strong team in 2022 led by Junior 3rd Baseman Daniel Cuvet. They have plenty of pitching to make a deep run and several underclassmen who have a chance to make a big impact in 2022.

 

Team: Trinity Christian Academy (Lake Worth)

2021 Record: 17-8
FHSAA Class: 2A
Head Coach: Miguel Cuello

TOP PLAYERS

Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Eduardo Morel, 2B, 2022
Deshaughn Forbes, OF, 2022
Angelo Allievi, LHP, 2022
Ariel Antigua, SS, 2023 (South Carolina)
Matthew Ossenfort, LHP, 2023
Pierce Boles, RHP, 2023
Jan Oquendo, OF, 2023

X-FACTOR

Angelo Allievi - Senior southpaw leads the way on the mound for a talented pitching staff.

OUTLOOK

With the returning of 7 starters and a few newcomers, TCA will have a deeper team this year. Getting the experience from States Final 4, this group is ready to return to States. Angelo Allievi and Pierce Boles will be their 1-2 punch. In the offense Ariel Antigua (391, 3hr, 39 RBI’s will look to lead this team with the addition of Jan Oquendo and Eduardo Morel who had great numbers last year as well.