5 Star National Tryouts Standouts
This past weekend 5 Star National held their 2020 Tryouts at the University of Tampa baseball field which featured players in the 2021-2024 classes not only from the state of Florida, but Georgia as well. On Friday night under the lights, players ran the 60 yard dash followed by batting practice on the field.
Below are 15 Standouts from Friday night which includes scouting notes on each. For additional content follow our Instagram @diamond.pro.media which has posted video highlights on some of the top performers along with our Twitter which is @DiamondProMedia
2022 OF Grey Brannen (Westfield Academy, GA)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-4, 185 pounds on a tall, athletic frame. Plenty of room to fill on his frame which projects to translate for jumps in power offensively. Clocked in at 6.88 seconds for his 60 yard dash, showing above average speed especially for his size. Offensively he works from a wide base and creates leverage, which was seen when he drove the ball gap-to-gap during batting practice. Confident approach and looks to drive the ball with intent. Showed some present pull side pop with gap-to-gap power to come. Defensively, he displayed an above average arm with accuracy and carry to his throws, topping out at 84 mph. Charges the ball and fields it out in front, looking to get behind his throws for a strong throw to the bag. Shows an overall above average feel for the game with confidence. Brannen will continue to be a strong follow moving forward especially as he continues to add to his frame and mature. Younger brother of current Red Sox minor-league outfielder Cole Brannen.
2023 OF Drew Burress (Houston County HS, GA)
Uncommitted. Showed very quick hands through the zone while working in rhythm to find the barrel out in front. Stays balanced throughout his swing and looks to go gap-to-gap. Showed some present pull side pop along with plenty of hard hit line drives into the gaps. Confident hitter. Strong follow.
2022 MIF Christopher Smalley (Riverview HS, FL) Currently stands at 6-foot-2, 165 pounds on a projectable, athletic frame. Had one of the stronger overall performances. Started off the night by registering a 6.70 second 60 yard dash time. Offensively, he showed a present feel for the barrel from the right side and squared up multiple hard hit line drives into the gaps. Strong follow.
2022 IF Christopher Moss (Nature Coast Tech, FL)
Showed present athleticism by recording one of the fastest 60 yard dash times on the day at 6.64 seconds. Offensively, he displays very quick hands through the zone and when he stays on time, can really drive the ball back up the middle. Also showed some present pull side pop and when he left the ball travel to the back of the zone, was able to drive it the other way.
2022 IF Payton Waters (Suwanee HS, FL)
Athletic frame with a stronger lower half standing at 6-foot, 175 pounds. Put on a strong couple rounds of batting practice, barreling it up multiple times for hard hit line drives into the gaps. Also showed some pull side pop, driving one over the left field wall.
2022 IF Tyler Ganoe (River Ridge HS, FL)
Showed present athleticism, clocking in at 6.81 seconds for his 60 yard dash time. Offensively he showed quick hands through the zone and was able to drive the ball into the gaps, especially to the right-center field when he squared it up.
2022 C/RHP Joey Daniels (Steinbrenner HS, FL)
Big, strong frame standing at 6-foot, 210 pounds. Drove the ball all over the field with intent. Ball really jumps off the bat when he connects. Showed an above average arm behind the plate, registering 1.99-2.03 second pop times.
2022 MIF Jace Stines (Plant City HS, FL)
Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 155 pounds on a lean, athletic frame. Showed above average speed to start the night, clocking in at 6.87 seconds for his 60 yard dash time. Hits from a wide base with a higher handset. His swing can get a little long at times, but when he stays direct to the ball he was able to drive the ball up the middle.
2021 OF Noe Tortolo (IMG Academy, FL)
Athletic frame with a strong lower half. Quick hands. When he squared the ball up during batting practice he made loud, hard contact and it really jumped off the bat. Shows present pull side pop. As he becomes more fluid through the zone he has a chance for gap-to-gap power.
2022 IF/RHP Ethan Phillips (Calvary Christian Academy, FL)
Uncommitted. Took one of the stronger rounds of batting practice, staying balanced and consistently finding the barrel throughout. Above average bat speed and while he laced multiple balls into the gaps, he also showed some pull side power as well. Has been in the mid 80s on the mound in the past. Strong two-way follow.
2023 1B/LHP Joseph Reed (Colquitt County HS, GA)
Big, strong frame standing at 6-foot, 210 pounds. Stood out offensively where he showed big power potential to the pull side, driving the ball deep into right field when he squared it up. Level to uphill path through the zone, creates hard contact.
2022 MIF Johnny Dibenedetto (Bishop McLaughlin HS, FL)
Showed present bat speed from the left side of the plate with an aggressive approach, displaying the ability to drive the ball back up the middle as well as to the pull side.
2022 IF Drew Knight (Bishop McLaughlin HS, FL)
Squared the ball up multiple times for loud, hard contact during batting practice. Above average bat speed through the zone from the right side that showed gap-to-gap potential.
2023 1B/RHP Andrew Dunford (Houston County HS, GA)
Tall, athletic frame standing at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds. Creates leverage with his long limbs offensively which translated to driving the ball back up the middle and to the pull side during batting practice. Multi-sport athlete who also plays quarterback.
2021 OF Benjamin Kim (Robinson HS, FL)
Also displayed above average speed on the day when he clocked in at 6.90 seconds for his 60 yard dash time. Worked in rhythm offensively form the left side with a calm, confident approach. Also showed some present bat speed from the right side.
