FL Summer Trials: 2018 Player Breakdown

The 2017 Summer Trials took place June 28th at Lake Brantley High School. This event consisted of players from the 2018-2021 classes, all of which took part in a 60 yard dash, pro-style workout, batting practice and a bullpen for pitchers. Today we break down the 2018 graduates in attendance

JACKSON ALVORD C / 3B / BROOKS DEBARTOLO, FL / 2018 The strong-bodied, stocky right-handed hitting catcher has some present strength. There is a lot of pre-swing movement, but he generates bat speed and gets quality extension, working consistently out in front. He shows some present gap-to-gap power when he is on time. Defensively, he has a high setup with a clean quick transfer that resulted in pop times from 2.1-2.2. There is some stiffness and could see strides with added flexibility, but there are present tools with some strength.

RICARDO RIVERA LHP / COLEGIO DE LA SALLE, FL / 2018 The strong, athletic left hander was smooth on the mound with clean consistent delivery and good tempo. Fastball was live with a quick arm and good arm side run. Sat 82-85 with good command of the zone. Showed good feel with his changeup and breaking ball. He would tend to get around breaking ball occasionally and would see it flatten out with less depth. He has a long, athletic, projectable frame and the arm really works. The fastball comes out of the hand well and should make a jump as he continues to add strength to the frame.

EVAN KNOWLTON SS / 3B / NEW PRAIRIE, IN / 2018 The 5-foot-11, 185-pound infielder has a physical frame. The actions in the infield are sound, with the hands working well. Showed enough arm to stay on the left side of the infield. Offensively, the right handed hitter gets quality separation with simple load. Balanced, strong lower half.. Level, stays in the zone and shows a feel for the barrel working gap-to-gap.

LUIS NUNEZ OF/ANA J CANDELA, FL / 2018 The 5-foot-9, 165-pound left-handed hitting outfielder has a strong, stocky frame. In the outfield, he moved well with a slightly long arm action topped out at 78 mph. Offensively, from an upright stance, he has a very simple load. Does not have much of a stride and relies on mostly his hands. He shows very good hands that are quick through the zone and generate some whip in the bat and bat speed. Could see a jump with better use of the lower half, but the hands work well.

MIGUEL SOTO SS / OF / TNXL ACADEMY, FL / 2018 Rankings  State Rank:122 POS:26 Athletic, lean frame with room to add muscle. His hands really work well the footwork is average and projects as an above average defender at third base. Showed plenty of arm, topping out at 88 mph. Also ran a 6.91 60 yard dash, could also project well in the outfield. Offensively, the swing works. He has a medium leg kick trigger and generates above average bat speed. Can start late at times, but when on time he has gap-to-gap power and a feel for the barrel. A lot of present and projectable tools that can make him very useful for a school all over the field.

CAMERON JOHNSON RHP / LAKE MINNEOLA, FL / 2018 The big lanky right hander, with long arms and legs, has plenty of room to grow. He showed some life on his fastball sitting at 79-82 mph that worked down in the zone consistently. From the stretch only, he has some drop and drive, but lands in line consistently. Tended to get around the curveball at 66-67 mph and showed a changeup with fading arm-side action at 75-76 mph.

JESUS RUIZ SS / 2B / UNIVERSITY, FL / 2018 The athletic infielder showed quality actions in the field. Very twitchy, with plenty of range. Hands works well with a quality funnel and transfer with a strong arm, topping out at 86 mph across the infield. Offensively, showed the same twitchiness in actions. Short level swing with above average bat speed. Level through the zone with quality bat-to-ball skill and produced a lot of hard line drive contact.

ZACK SWIFT 3B / 1B / LAKE BRANTLEY, FL / 2018 Big corner infielder showed good hands in the field with an average but very accurate arm. Feet worked well with good feel around the bag. Offensively, has a good frame and was aggressive to the ball. Although he was occasionally out front and steep in his swing path he showed good bat speed and ability to drive the ball gap to gap on a line.