By Justin Burgess
Florida Area Scout

We have already reached the final week of the 2016 regular season here in Florida and many of the top programs seemed poised for yet another exciting road to the state tournament. Over the last few weeks, we have released rankings for the 2016, 2017, and 2018 classes and made a few changes in each class based on how the players have performed up to this point in the year.

Now up is the Class of 2019. This incredibly talented crop of freshmen is already making impacts on the varsity level.

Most of the players towards the top of this list have been receiving serious attention since last year as they were talented enough to play for the top travel organizations and perform against guys who were two and three years older than them. It seems that the prospects are getting better and better every year as this class of freshmen already boasts 12 Division I commits—including seven in the top 10—and many more who are having standout freshman campaigns.

At the top of the list, 3B/RHP Triston Casas has been turning heads since last summer with his size and tools. At 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, Casas looks like a senior on the field and has proven himself worthy of playing with seniors at some of the top events. He possesses an easy lefty stroke with plus power for his age and he has plus arm strength across the diamond with smooth actions in the field. From the mound, Casas has already been up to 91 mph and only looks to improve with strength and maturity.  The sky is the limit for this Miami commit as he has a serious chance of becoming a draft prospect as either a pitcher or position player in 2019.

Another two-way prospect comes in behind Casas in the rankings in the second spot. RHP/SS Brandon Walker stood out as one of the top overall prospects at our Florida Underclass Games last year in August despite being one of the youngest players there. He stands at 6-foot, 175 pounds with an athletic, strong, loose, and projectable body. His loose and quick arm sticks out whether he is at shortstop or throwing off the mound. Everything looks easy and natural and he still has plenty of room to grow and fill out. From the mound he sits in the 84-87 mph range and he can touch 88-89 mph. He also shows off a sharp breaking ball and is already one of the top pitchers for North Florida Christian. The Florida State commit also possesses plus bat speed and raw power at the plate. Like Casas, it is too early to tell whether Walker will become a shortstop or pitching prospect come 2019.

RHP/3B Matthew Allan comes in ranked third in the 2019 class and is another prospect with big time arm strength. At 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Allan has a lean, athletic, and projectable frame that will continue to add strength and fill out. He sits 85-88 and touches 89 mph with a loose arm that will continue to increase his velocity throughout his high school career. The Miami commit shows great confidence on the mound and pounds the zone with both his fastball and plus curveball.

Florida Top 10 Rankings:

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Triston Casas	FL	American Heritage	2019	3B	Miami
2	Brandon Walker	FL	North Florida Christian	2019	RHP	Florida State
3	Matt Allan	FL	Seminole	2019	RHP	Miami
4	Jake Holland	FL	Archbishop McCarthy	2019	C	Miami
5	Hunter Barco	FL	Bolles	2019	LHP	University of Virginia
6	Riley Greene	FL	Hagerty	2019	1B	Florida
7	Jacob Herbert	FL	George W. Jenkins	2019	C
8	Joseph Charles	FL	First Academy	2019	RHP
9	Josiah Miller	FL	Lincoln	2019	2B
10	Dylan Simmons	FL	Trinity Christian	2019	RHP	Florida State

>> CLICK HERE to view the complete 2019 Florida rankings