FTB Tryout PBR Upgrade: 2019 Breakdown

By Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director

Orlando, FL- From August 18-20th one of the top organizations in the country, FTB, held their Fall 2017 Tryouts for players from the 2018-2022 classes. Players participated in bullpens on Friday night, went through a full pro-style workout on Saturday, and finally ended the weekend on Sunday with a game.

Below is a breakdown of the 2019s in attendance that added the PBR Upgrade option:

Matthew Wade SS / RHP / Cypress Creek, FL / 2019 5-foot-10, 185 pound SS/RHP. On the mound, he has a simple, repeatable delivery. He lands slightly closed, with a clean short high 3/4 arm action. The fastball worked 80-83 mph and also featured a hard curveball at 74 mph and a changeup at 70 mph. Offensively, he is somewhat rotational with short load and level path. He uses his lower half well and stays balanced through the swing. Defensive actions a sound, could improve first step quickness, topped out at 72 mph across the infield.

Payton McIntosh SS / RHP / Martin County, FL / 2019 The 5-foot-10, 155-pound SS/RHP has made a nice progression on the mound, especially with the curveball. The fastball worked 80-83 mph, with some arm side run. The curveball was easily his best offspeed pitch. It worked 70-71 mph and showed hard, late depth and will be a swing and miss pitch with extremely tight spin. Also showed a fading changeup at 77 mph. Offensively, the right handed hitter has some rhythm and loads well, has a level path through the zone with some bat speed. Line drives from gap-to-gap and could get more from the lower half. Defensively, he works under control and shows sounds defensive actions.

Jake Pascale OF / 2B / Cypress Creek, FL / 2019 The high-waist, outfielder has the frame that looks like it will shoot up and fill out. Tan a 7.66 60 yard dash. Offensively, he uses a leg kick trigger. There is some steepness in the path, and could see the benefit from hitting off of a stronger front side. Defensively, he comes through the ball well and topped out at 68 mph.

Christopher McDonald RHP / 1B / Oviedo, FL / 2019 The 6-foot-2, 175 pound right handed pitcher has some lean and a short stride in the delivery. He throws a 3/4 slot with a fastball that ranged from 76-79 mph. Also threw a slider at 67-68 mph and a changeup at 69-70 mph.

Trey Bradley OF / RHP / Hagerty, FL / 2019 6-foot, 160 pound athletic OF/RHP. Ran a 6.71 60 yard dash. On the mound worked with a long, over-the-top arm action. The fastball has some tilt at 79-80 mph, curveball worked at 66-67 mph and the changeup at 67 mph. Offensively, the right handed hitter has no load and is aggressive through the zone. Would see a benefit from leveling out the path through the zone as there is some present aggression through the zone. Defensively, he shows athletic actions and topped out at 82 mph.

Cameron Martinez C / 2B / North Marion, FL / 2019 5-foot-9, 170 pound right handed hitting catcher has a short, level swing. He gets a quality load, and has some present bat speed with a level, line drive path. Defensively, the stocky catcher has quality receiving action. His best pop time was 2.02 and will continue to improve as the catch to release improves. Has present all around tools to watch going forward.

Braden Wood 3B / RHP / Lake Mary, FL / 2019 5-foot-10, 170 pound 3B/RHP has a simple delivery, lands slightly closed and throws from a short high 3/4 arm slot. The fastball ranged from 74-75 mph, curveball was at 66 mph and changeup at 70-72 mph. Ran a 7.38 60 yard dash time. Right handed hitter, is slightly mechanical starting slightly open with a somewhat shouldered swing. Has some present aggression through the zone with a line drive swing. Defensively, the hands work, could benefit from a quicker first step and quicker release. Topped out at 74 mph across the infield.

Bryan Scribner OF / 2B / Bartram Trail, FL / 2019 Scriber has improved both his 60 time to 7.07 and his throws from the outfield at 83 mph. He has a strong lower half and the bat is what shows the most potential. He is aggressive with an uphill path. Wide base and uses a lot of the lower half well. He has some present loft and will have a chance to hit for more power to the pull side in the future.

John O'Connor RHP / 1B / Lake Mary, FL / 2019 6-foot-6, 200 pounds he has a big strong frame. On the mound he has  a drop and drive delivery with a high 3/4 arm action. The fastball ranged from 77-78 mph with a changeup at 71-72 mph and a curveball at 72 mph. Ran an 8.1 60 yard dash. Offensively, he tends to cut his swing off and become rotational, but there is some aggression through the zone.

Adrian Palma 2B / RHP / Liberty, FL / 2019 5-foot-9, 150 pound right handed hitting second baseman. Offensively, he has a simple load and separation. Could get some big benefits clearing the back side more and leveling out the swing, but has shown the ability to find the barrel. Defensively, the actions work. He has a quick first step, the hands work well out in front and funnels the ball to his body with a quick release and accurate throws.

Jaden Rivera RHP / 3B / Nature Coast, FL / 2019 6-foot-1, 160 pound right handed hitting third baseman, Offensively, he has a small leg kick and simple load. There is some steepness and could use more of his lower half, but there is some present bat speed. Defensively, the hands work and actions work at third base. He topped out at 76 mph across the infield.

Gabe Pallo SS / OF / Melbourne Central Catholic, FL / 2019 5-foot-9, 155 pound middle infielder. The right handed hitter has his hands set high and uses pre-swing rhythm to start his swing and get separation. There is some length in the swing, but creates natural loft and showed a pull side approach with a feel for the barrel. Ran a 7.03 60 yard dash. Moves athletically in the infield. Hands work and topped out at  78 mph across the infield.

Joshua Blackmore C / 3B / St. Cloud, FL / 2019 5-foot-11, 170 pound catcher. The right handed hitter starts from an upright stance. There are some present tools, although the path can be steep and the front side can get weak, he has above average bat speed and as he learns to hit off of a strong front side will create gap-to-gap power. Defensively, the pop time was 2.25 with a preset throw stance and will improve as he gains flexibility and the footwork improves as the transfer to realse is good. His hands work and blocks well.

Daniel Gaviria LHP / Cypress Creek, FL / 2019 5-foot-7, 155 pound left handed pitcher. He has a strong lower half, but tends to drop and drive and could really benefit from staying taller over the backside. He throws from a clean, repeatable 3/4 arm action. Fastball worked 76-77 mph and worked downhill to both sides of the plate. He also threw a changeup and curveball at 66 mph. Curveball is tight and has some late movement and changeup is fading. Could see make a jump as he stays over the backside.

Luke Brown SS / 2B / Viera, FL / 2019 6-foot, 165 pound shortstop. Ran a 7.29 60 yard dash. Offensively, he has a small leg kick and gets quality separation with the hands. He clears his backside well and his hands work quickly out in fron. Line drive gap-to-gap hitter. Defensively, he moves better than the 60 time would say. Quick first step working under control with rhythm. His hands really work well and has a quick transfer and release with accurate throw. Will be an interesting follow.

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