Prep Baseball Report

Lefty's Dominate Day Two


Doug Freeman
Florida Executive Director

The second day of the 2020 baseball season called for another trip around south Florida. The day would produce two incredible performances by a pair of left-handers. 

The first stop featured 2020 MLB Draft prospect and Florida commit, Timmy Manning. Manning who is tough enough on a good day, has the advantage of a white building batter's eye at his home park. In any scenario though, I don't think it would've been much help to Coral Park. Manning would come out and dominate early and often. Working mostly 87-90 topping at 91 mph throughout the outing, he would work with an aggressive and up tempo pace seemingly never giving any hitter a chance. 

He mixed in an above average blend of a slider and curveball that worked 76-81 and had late depth at times. He also featured a fading change up that showed above average as well. He would go a complete game, striking out 16 and throwing a no-hitter. He was one, maybe questionable call, from a perfect game with a walk in the 6th. Easily one of the better high school performances I've seen.


Then, I would head north to catch No 1 American Heritage Delray and fellow left handed pitcher Nelson Berkwich. Berkwich is committed to Vanderbilt and long been known for his pitchability, had a lot to live up to on this night. While I arrived with one out in the first, the first thing of note was a velocity jump as he was touching 92 mph. He would settle in around 87-90, but did flash that added velocity. He would locate and change speeds with an average slider and change that both flashed above average at times. Kept Jupiter hitters off balance and attacked all night long. He would also not allow a hit, but would be taken out after 5 innings, while striking out 10.


Overall, two high profile left handed pitchers who lived up to the early billing this spring with outstanding performances. 

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