West Florida Trials Player Evaluations

This past Saturday, players from the 2019-2022 classes participated in the West Florida Trials which occurred at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. This gave the PBR Florida Scouting Staff the opportunity to evaluate all participants through a pro-style workout for position players which was followed by bullpens for pitchers.

Congratulations to the following four players who have received an invitation to upcoming invite-only events this summer:

2018 All State Games at the University of Miami

Tyler Kreissler 1B / RHP / Lemon Bay, FL / 2019 An athletic, high-waisted 6-foot-1, 170 pounds. In the infield, he tends to shorten his steps, his hands work well, but the ball tends to get fielded under his body. There is athleticism, and can see be a solid defender at third. Offensively, he has a reverse toe-tap load, which can get him out over his front side. When he is on time and gets to extension, he showed present pull power. There is bat speed, strength and athleticism to follow. He showed an exit velocity of 87 mph.

Andrew Bergeron SS / 3B / IMG Academy, FL / 2019 Uncommitted shortstop that stands at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds. He is athletic and projectable and the athleticism translates well into his workout. Defensively, he moves well. Working under control, a good first step and sound hands. Has the actions and tools to be an above average defender, most likely at third, as he has a frame to add strength and plenty of arm topping out at 87 mph. Offensively, he has a slight knee bend and a small leg kick trigger. He works out over his front foot, which can create some steepness in the path, but present strength and leverage gives him present pull power. Overall, there are above average all around tools and is a high uncommitted follow.

2018 Florida Underclass Games at Henley Field

Julien Brown RHP / OF / ODA, FL / 2020 A very athletic 6-foot-1, 195 pound RHP/OF. Ran a 7.13, but would expect that to continue to improve. Showed an above average arm, with carry in outfield, topping out at 84 mph with more to come. Offensively, the right handed hitter is a bit rotational, but has present bat speed and strength. There is bat to ball skills and as he learns to work through the ball more power will come as he registered a 90 mph exit velocity. Very high upside on the mound. Still fairly raw and as he learns to use his athleticism to sync up his separation and get down the mound he could make some major jumps. The fastball ranged from 86-88 touching 89 mph with life. He has a fast hand and showed a slider with above average potential at 76-77 mph. Also showed a fading changeup at 77-80. Very high ceiling two-way player.

2018 PBR Junior Future Games at Grand Park, Indiana
*Also receives and invite to the 2018 Florida Underclass Games

Landon Moran 1B / LHP / Lake Brantley, FL / 2022 Currently stands at 6-foot, 165 pounds with long legs and a projectable frame. Stood out on the mound from the left side where he showed a loose, quick arm. Ball comes out of the hand easy and repeats out in front. Fastball mostly sat 78-80 mph with run along with a 74-75 mph changeup and a 63-64 mph curveball that showed depth. As he continues to add to his frame and mature, except to some jumps in velocity and overall stuff. From the outfield he charges the ball out in front and fields it with confidence. Throws to the bag were accurate and showed carry, topping out at 82 mph. Offensively, he hits from a wide base with quick hands through the zone. Level to uphill finish from the left side where he showed some pull side pop while making consistent contact. Registered a 78 mph exit velocity in the cage.

Below are the best of the rest from the West Florida Trials which includes their full report:

Christopher Ferara 1B / OF / American Heritage - Boca/Delray, FL / 2019 Stands at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Ferara has a long, lean athletic frame. He topped out a 71 mph in the outfield and projects better there than first base. Offensively, the right-handed hitter has a medium leg kick trigger and short load. He has a strong lower half, but tends to hit on a soft front side and shift to his front foot.There is strength and could see a jump hitter off of a stronger front side. He had an exit velocity of 81 mph and ran a 7.41 60 yard dash.

William Childs RHP / Gaither, FL / 2019 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot, 170 pounds with a lean, athletic frame. Still some room to fill out. Works out of the stretch with a low ¾ arm slot, creating some deception in his delivery. Creates a tough matchup against right handed hitters. Fastball mostly sat 80-84 mph with plenty of movement across the zone. Also mixed in a 74-76 mph changeup that showed some sink along with a 76-79 mph slider that displayed some sweeping action. Should see an uptick in velocity as he continues to add to his frame.

Eddie Kitta SS / RHP / Merritt Island, FL / 2019 5-foot-11, 160 pounds. Defensively, he worked deliberately, could improve rhythm and fluidity in actions. Could improve transfer and topped out at 83 mph across infield with strong, accurate throws. Offensively, he has made some strides. He has a wide bases and a simple load. While he works over the front foot with some steepness, there is more strength and bat speed, this also showed in the 87 mph exit velocity. On the mound, there is some present arm speed. He could drive more with the lower half, but worked 80-84 mph with a loose quick arm. Also showed a 74-75 mph changeup and a 76-79 mph slider that shows potential.

Matthew Noto OF / 2B / Tarpon Springs, FL / 2019 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds with a solid frame. Offensively, starts from a slightly open stance and a high hand set. Shows some rhythm throughout his swing and shows the ability to drive the ball into the outfield when he stays back on the ball and lets it travel into the zone. Registered a 77 mph exit velocity in the cage. From the outfield, he fields the ball out in front and shows some accuracy on his throws, which topped out at 70 mph.

Cooper Haskell RHP / 1B / George Jenkins , FL / 2019 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds with an athletic, projectable frame. Throws out of the high ¾ slot with a turn and spin throughout his windup, creating some deception in his delivery. Repeats his windup well, some inconsistency on his landing. Fastball mostly sat in the 83-86 mph range with some life along with a 74-76 mph changeup and 69-70 mph curveball. Threw strikes. As he uses his lower half more and becomes more consistent out in front, he should see a jump in velocity.

Mark Stutts RHP / Merritt Island, FL / 2019 A long-limbed 6-foot-4, 185 pounds. He is very deliberate in his delivery, with a pair of pauses. These limit his ability to use his length to get down the mound. He has an over the top delivery and the fastball ranged from 78-82 touching 84 mph. He also three a straight changeup at 74-77 mph and a short slider at 65-68 mph. The frame has plenty of room for added strength and as he learns to use the lower half he should gain some velocity.

Ernesto Medina OF / OF / Miami Killian, FL / 2019 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot, 142 pounds with a lean, athletic frame with room to fill out. Offensively, he hits from an upright, slightly open stance. Level to uphill finish with some strength throughout his swing when he is on time. Should see a jump in power with more utilization of his lower half and as he continues to add to his frame. Registered an 81 mph exit velocity in the cage. From the outfield he shows some range to his right and left, surrounding the ball and getting behind his throws which showed accuracy topping out at 78 mph. Clocked in at 7.25 seconds for his 60 yard dash time.

Benjamin Scartz SS / 3B / Tarpon Springs, FL / 2019 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds with a solid frame and strong lower half. Offensively, he starts from a wide base with an uphill finish, looking to create hard contact and drive the ball into the gaps. At times can be out front, but when he stays back he can drive the ball with authority, which showed in the cage where he registered an exit velocity of 84 mph. In the field he shows sure hands and fields the ball out in front with confidence. Accuracy on his throws across the diamond which topped out at 78 mph.

Will Kistler C / 1B / River Ridge, FL / 2019 6-foot-2, 235 pounds he has a strong lower half Defensively, there is some flexibility, sound receiving and ability to block. Pop times ranged in the 2.05-2.2 range. The right-handed hitter brings his feet together in his load, he uses his stronger lower half well and has a slightly uphill path with present strength. He has an exit velocity of 88 mph.

Hayden Kimball SS / 2B / Trinity Catholic, FL / 2020 Athletic, 6-foot and 165 pounds, running a 7.46 60 yard dash. In the infield, he works under control. He could improve his first step and working with more fluidity through the ball. His hands work well, but tends to field the ball under his body. Topped out at 81 mph across the infield. Offensively, he uses his long levers and athleticism well. He has a leg kick trigger and and tends to hit on a weak front side, there is some rotational tendencies, but when he stays through the ball there is gap-to-gap power. There is some length, but the present bat speed and athleticism gives him some upside.

Felix Cruz Jr SS / 2B / South Fort Myers, FL / 2020 Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-4, 145 pounds on a lean, compact frame with quick twitch actions. Offensively, starts from a very open stance and a high hand set. Shows a quick bat through the zone with timing and rhythm throughout his swing. Displayed the ability to make consistent contact with a line drive approach. Creates solid contact which translated in the cage where he registered an exit velocity of 83 mph. In the field he shows bounce in his step, ranging backhand and forehand with accurate throws to first that topped out at 77 mph. Clocked in at 7.32 seconds for his 60 yard dash time.

Nick Romagnola RHP / 1B / ODA, FL / 2020 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he has a strong, lean frame. Defensively, he shows above average footwork around the bag and moves well at first. Works under control and hands work well. Offensively, while he has a strong lower half, he could clear his back side and use it more. He has some length, but also present strength. The swing is simple and an 86 mph exit velocity. As he continues to learn to use his strong lower half, he will show increased power. On the mound, he has a simple delivery and lands in line. A compact arm action, the fastball ranged from 81-84 mph with a changeup at 65-68 and a curveball at 61-63 mph.

Stone Frishman OF / 2B / Lakewood Ranch, FL / 2021 Currently stands at 5-foot-8, 155 pounds on a lean, compact frame. Shows athleticism when he started the day clocking in at 7.11 seconds for his 60 yard dash. Offensively, he starts from a slightly open stance with a big leg kick for his load. Shows quick hands and the the ability to drive the ball into the outfield. When he stays fluid and lets the ball travel through the zone, he’s able to make solid contact. From the outfield he shows a quick first step and surrounds the ball, taking efficient routes. His throws to the bag were accurate and had carry to them, topping out at 81 mph.

Trent Maner OF / RHP / Hernando, FL / 2021 Currently stands at 6-foot, 165 pounds with a lean, projectable frame. Offensively, he starts from a wide base with a small slidestep for his load. Looks to drive the ball out in front with a line drive approach. Staying direct to the ball, continuing to add to his frame should result in more consistent, hard contact. Registered an 83 mph exit velocity in the cage. From the outfield, he takes an aggressive approach to the ball, looking to field it out in front with momentum behind his throws which topped out at 74 mph. On the mound, he works from the outer part of the rubber with an up-tempo windup and big leg kick. Fastball mostly sat in the 70-75 mph range while mixing in  a 65-68 mph changeup and 61-63 mph curveball that showed some shape.

Ethan Valdez SS / 2B / Jesuit , FL / 2019 5-foot-6, 135 pounds. Defensively, he has a quick first step and some twitchy range. His hands work well and has a quick transfer. Topped out at 82 mph across the infield and an a 7.25 60 yard dash. Shows actions to be a solid defensive second baseman. Offensively, the switch hitter had an 80 mph exit velocity from the right side and an 81 mph exit velocity from the left. Right-handed he has a short, simple and level swing. There is a present feel for the barrel and line-drive approach. Left-handed, is nearly  mirror image. He creates a little more bat speed and gets into his lower half more with more natural uphill path. Overall there is present feel for the barrel and athleticism defensively.