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:

LHP/OF Ryan Bruno

Team: American Heritage Delray
Preseason Rank: 16
2016 Record: 22-8
FHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Carm Mazza
Playoff Run: Lost in State Semi-Final
Returning Starters: 9


TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Nelson Berkwich, LHP, 2020 (Vanderbilt)
Jaden Bruno, RHP/OF, 2020 (Stanford)
Ryan Bruno, LHP/OF, 2020 (Stanford)
Ben Vespi, RHP, 2020
Carmine Lane, INF/RHP, 2019
Jacob Lojewski, SS, 2020 (FGCU)

X-FACTOR

Pitching depth. With five Division 1 caliber arms, three of which are already committed to Division I schools, the depth of talent on the mound is extremely impressive. All five are underclassmen, but all played a significant role in a 2017 run to the State Semifinals.  They return 17 of their 22 wins and have young arms who will be set to contribute big.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
C Nathan Zuckerman
OF Michael Malinchak

OUTLOOK
As mentioned above the young pitching depth is a focus for the Stallions, but it is not their only strength.  They return their top hitter for 2017 in Carmine Lane, who batted .323 with 21 RBIs. They return 6 of their starting 9 offensive players from last season and most of these players are underclassmen who have continued to make big strides over the summer and fall. Look for Berkwich, Vespi and Lane to lead the way on the mound as well as bolstered by the Bruno twins. The offense will be loaded with quality young talent and if they can turn that young talent to ins they will be extremely dangerous.  The depth of talent bring American Heritage Delray in at No 16 in the Preseason Power25.

Make sure to follow @pbrflorida on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.

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