By Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director

As the summer continues progress, we have now had a chance to get a quality look at the 2019 class. It’s not only a talented class at the top, but one that has shown to be very deep. The updated rankings have LHP Hunter Barco (The Bolles School, FL) remaining at the top. Big velocity and athleticism from RHP Brandon Walker (North Florida Christian School, FL) has him at No. 2 and a big performance in the spring and thus far in the summer has SS Rece Hinds (Niceville HS, FL) rising to the No 3 spot. Below we break down the Top 5 with report and video.

 

 

Hunter Barco LHP / OF / Bolles, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:1 POS:1 Overall Rank:3 POS:1 Virginia recruit. Currently ranked No. 1 in the Florida 2019 Class, No. 3 Overall. The big, strong 6-foot-4, 200 pounder has a clean, somewhat short arm action coupled with a drop-and-drive type delivery. The ball jumps out of his hand with life. His fastball sits at 88-91 mph early, before settling in and pitching at 86-88 occasionally running it up a little better when needed. Barco also shows a feel for both a changeup at 78-82 mph as well as a slider at 75-77 mph with quality shape. At the plate he has present power with potential for plus power from the left side. The frame has a lot of room to continue to fill out and may have the biggest upside of any player in the class.

 

 

Brandon Walker RHP / SS / North Florida Christian, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:4 POS:2 Overall Rank:8 POS:5 Florida State recruit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the Florida 2019 Class, No. 8 Overall. The 6-foot, 180 pounder shows big time tools, especially on the mound. He is very physical with strong legs. Arm swing is medium to long, but super easy and effortless. Repeats his motion flawlessly and fastball sits 90-92 mph with life, and has been up to 95-96 mph at times early this summer, that jumps on hitters along with a slider that sits 74-76 mph with the potential to be a plus pitch. There is so little effort that the ball explodes out of his hand with a flick of the wrist. Walker is young and extremely athletic with a quick arm and a durable frame that should hold up even with the explosiveness in the delivery.

 

 

Rece Hinds SS / 3B / Niceville, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:7 POS:1 Overall Rank:15 POS:3 LSU commit. The high-waisted, athletic, 6-foot-3, 195-pounder has some of the best all-around toolsets in the class. Defensively, he show quick first step with easy, rangy actions and a plus arm. The frame and athleticism appears to give him the ability to stick at short, but if he continues to fill out he could be a plus defensive third baseman. At the plate, he is balanced with a slightly open stance, quick hands, and above average bat speed. Consistently makes hard, loud contact with above average power and bat to ball skills. Hinds has continued to refine the swing and the twitchy athleticism, big time all-around toolset have started to come together after a big spring and are carrying into big performance this summer.

 

 

Riley Greene OF / LHP / Hagerty, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:2 POS:1 Overall Rank:4 POS:1 Florida recruit. Currently ranked No. 2 in the Florida 2019 Class, No. 4 Overall. The athletic, projectable 6-foot-2, 180 pounder has big potential at the plate and on the mound. The left handed hitter stands tall in the box and shows an advanced approach with a feel for the barrel. He drives the ball gap-to-gap with present pull side power with much more to come. On the mound, he has a clean and easy 3/4 arm action that produces a fastball that ranges from 81-84 mph.  He also shows a sweeping slider with quality shape at 73-75 mph. Overall, Greene has present tools, with above average bato to ball skills and potential to have above average to plus power.

 

 

Joseph Charles RHP / First Academy, FL / 2019 Rankings  State Rank:3 POS:1 Overall Rank:6 POS:4 North Carolina recruit. Currently ranked No. 3 in the Florida 2019 Class, No. 6 Overall. Stands at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds with an athletic, projectable build which has appeared to have added strength, especially in his lower half. He shows a loose, quick arm with a simple, repeatable delivery throwing out of the high ¾ slot. Lands out in front, in line and shows good extension at times. His fastball sits at 90-92 mph, touching 94 mph with sink along with a slider that shows some late bite at 80-81 mph generating plenty of swings and misses. Creates a tough angle against right handed hitters. Charles looks young in the face and has an extremely quick arm and has been up to 98 mph from the outfield. There is a lot of athleticism and shows that in the box with a feel for the barrel and an aggressive approach. His arm really works and will look to make some big jumps as he continues to mature.

 

Check out the full Top 10 Below

RANK	NAME	POSITION
1	Hunter Barco	LHP
2	Brandon Walker	RHP
3	Rece Hinds	SS
4	Riley Greene	OF
5	Joseph Charles	RHP
6	Judson Fabian	OF
7	Jake Holland	C
8	Tyler Callihan	SS
9	Isaac Nunez	SS
10	Jacob Herbert	C

CLICK HERE to see full list of updated rankings. 

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