Top Tier Roos Summer 2023 Team Tryouts Standouts Part 1
This past weekend from December 2nd-4th, the Top Tier Roos held their Summer 2023 Team Tryouts which took place at the Courthouse Performance Center along with the Yankees Spring Training complex in Tampa, FL. Over the three-day stretch players went through bullpens, a pro-style workout, and game action on the final day of the event. With over 300 players in attendance ranging from the 2023-2028 classes, there was plenty of talent all over the field.
Below is Part 1 of the standouts highlighted from the event that made an impact on our scouting staff and will be strong follows moving forward as we head into the spring season.
*Note: The players mentioned below were ones seen by our Scouting Director for the event on Saturday and Sunday.
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2023 MIF Ean Gimsom (Land O’ Lakes HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Lean, athletic frame. Stood out during his batting practice rounds as he sent multiple pitches deep to the right field wall from the left side. Fast hands through the zone, simple approach. Stays direct to the ball. Sound defender up the middle that can range to his right and left with accurate throws across the diamond.
2024 OF DJ Pirela (Jesuit HS, FL)
Continues to be one of the top uncommitted follows in his class, showing the ability to make a big impact at the top of the lineup. During one of his at-bats during game action, Pirela crushed a ball deep into the left-center field gap for a two-run triple. Kicked it into the next gear rounding 2B, showing his above average speed. Fast hands through the zone. Looks to have become more physical as well, especially in the lower half. Very strong follow heading into the spring.
2024 RHP Logan Voelz (Wiregrass Ranch HS, FL)
Big riser as he was one of the top uncommitted arms at the event, running his fastball up to 91 mph. Mostly pitched at 87-90 with run while mixing in a 78-80 mph changeup and a hard curveball at 75-77 mph. Quick arm, repeats his delivery. Pounded the strike zone and generated lots of swings and misses. Physical lower half with more in the tank. Strong follow heading into the spring season.
2024 IF Cole Huddleston (Palm Harbor University, FL)
Uncommitted. Lean, athletic frame with some present quick twitch actions. Continues to stand out as an offensive prospect as the hands are quick and loose through the zone, allowing him to find the barrel consistently for hard hit line drives. During batting practice he drove the ball all over the field including one that went over the left-center field wall. Confident defender with accurate throws across the diamond. Strong follow.
2025 OF Brody Smith (Jesuit HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Athletic frame with room to fill out, add physicality. Smith continued to stand out offensively from the left side of the plate as he showed off fast hands with an aggressive approach during his batting practice rounds. Produced lots of hard hit line drives, working gap-to-gap while displaying some pull side pop as well. Left handed bat to follow closely moving forward.
2025 C/RHP Dylan Taft (East Lake HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Tall, athletic frame with some present strength throughout. Will continue to become more physical which will translate to jumps in his overall game. Stood out from behind the plate where he displayed an above average arm on his throws down to 2B, registering pop times in the 2.0-2.03 seconds range. Offensively he showed the ability to drive the ball with intent, notably into left field and the left-center field gap. Ran it up to 86 mph on the mound as well.
2025 IF/RHP Griffin Cline (George Jenkins HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Long, tall frame that really projects. Plenty of room to fill out. Offensively he showed off some present juice from the left side of the plate, sending several pitches deep into right field, right-center field during his batting practice rounds. More power to come. Up to 83 mph on the mound, pitching from a deceptive arm slot. Strong follow with more to come.
2025 OF Slade Newton (Plant HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Lean, athletic frame that projects to continue to fill out. Stood out offensively from the left side as he worked in rhythm, displayed quick hands through the zone which produced multiple line drives back up the middle and into right field during his batting practice rounds. Some present feel for the barrel with jumps in power to come as he becomes more physical.
2026 OF Ethan Barclay (Wiregrass Ranch HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Long, athletic frame with projection. Took one of the best rounds of batting practice of the entire group for his class, consistently finding the barrel and driving the ball deep into left field and center field. Simple approach that stays direct to the ball and barrels it up. Expect to see jumps in power as he continues to mature. Accurate throws from the outfield to the bag. Strong follow.
2026 OF Brayden Spink (East Lake HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Lean frame with present athleticism. Stood out all over the field throughout the weekend. Defensively he showed off a loose, quick arm on his throws from right field that topped out at 77 mph. Accurate throws to the bag. During game action he showed quick hands and jumped all over a breaking ball, ripping it back up the middle for a line drive single. Got a good jump on the base paths during the next at-bat and stole 2B. Strong follow.
2027 IF Brennan Jones (Southfork HS, FL)
Stood out during batting practice when he squared the ball up multiple times from the left side. Ball really jumped off the bat for loud, hard contact. Above average bat speed. Real power potential to follow moving forward.
2027 MIF Jacob Henderson (Calvary Christian HS, FL)
Lean frame with present athleticism. Really liked the approach during his batting practice round as the hands were quick and direct to the ball. Lots of line drives back up the middle. Young bat to follow closely.
