Florida Burn 2025 Summer Tryouts Standouts Part 2
On January 11th and 12th, players from the 2026-2029 classes participated in this year’s Florida Burn 2025 Summer Tryouts, taking place at the Venice High School Baseball Complex in Venice, FL. Position players went through a pro-style workout each of the days followed by bullpens. Below are a list of players (Part 2 of 2) our scouting staff felt stood out the most throughout the event and are strong follows heading into the spring season. Part 1 is HERE
*If you’d like to know more about our individual player coverage for the upcoming HS season, please feel free to reach out by way of DM on our Twitter/X or Instagram accounts listed below. We consistently post content with highlights, video clips, and announcements on past and upcoming events.
Twitter/X: @DiamondProMedia
Instagram: @diamond.pro.media
YouTube Channel: Diamond Prospect Media
Standouts (Part 2 of 2)
2026 RHP/OF/MIF Ethan DeJesus (Sumner HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Present above average athleticism. Was one of the top two-way standouts at the event, shining in multiple ways. Big time arm from the outfield as he topped out at 97 mph on his throws into home with plenty of carry. Had multiple other throws between 95-96. From shortstop he ranged freely to his left and right, fielding the ball with confidence and topping out at 90 mph on his throws. Offensively he displayed gap-to-gap power from both sides of the plate. On the mound he worked in the upper 80s with his fastball while mixing in the low 80 changeup and wipeout slider in the upper 70s, consistently at 2700+ RPM.
2026 IF/RHP Cole Travers (St. John Neumann HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Tall, physical frame. Continued to stand out from an offensive perspective from the right side of the plate as he demonstrated easy power during batting practice as the ball really jumps off the bat. Sent multiple pitches over the left-center, left field wall. Middle of the order bat that drives in runs. Defensively he moves very well for his size around the bag at 3B, working laterally and under control to field the ball. Above average arm and accurate throws across the diamond.
2026 MIF Dylan Messina (IMG Academy, FL)
Penn commit. Present physicality throughout with a compact and athletic frame. During batting practice he displayed controlled but explosive swings from both sides of the plate with present juice. Looks to utilize his strength and really drive the baseball. Showed the ability to use all parts of the field as well. Defensively he showed off his fluidity with great anticipation and acceleration up the middle while topping out at 87 mph on his throws.
2026 MIF Danilo Soto (Northside Christian, FL)
Navy commit. Athletic frame with some strength in the lower half. Stood out from an offensive perspective as he found the barrel often from the right side of the plate. Laced the ball all over the field as he engaged his lower half and really drove the baseball. Stays balanced with a simple approach. Rangy fielder up the middle who fields the ball with confidence and accurate throws across the diamond.
2027 OF/RHP August Backman (Venice HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Physical frame, notably in the lower half. Was another one of the top standouts at the event, this time showing his high offensive potential. Loose and fast hands front the left side of the plate that generated multiple deep drives into right field with a couple going over the wall. Really implements his strong lower half into his swing. Above average from the outfield with carry on his throws that topped out at 87 mph. Mid to upper 80s on the bump as well.
2027 OF/RHP RJ Shields (Venice HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Continues to stand out as a two-way prospect. From the left side of the plate offensively he worked from a confident approach, driving the ball both to left-center field and right-center field during batting practice. Strong lower half that he implements into his swing with present power. Above average and accurate arm from the outfield with throws topping out at 89 mph.
2028 MIF/OF Shaun Maradona (St. John Neumann HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Lean and athletic frame that projects. Loose and quick arm in multiple spots from a defensive perspective. Topped out at 86 mph on his throws from the outfield to home that displayed carry. Quick hands from the right side of the plate that resulted in line drives back up the middle and to the pull side during batting practice. Look for jumps in gap-to-gap power as he continues to become more physical.
2028 MIF Easton Gatenby (St. John Neumann HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Athletic frame that will continue to fill out, become more physical. Shows plenty of upside with his overall game, notably on the offensive side. Above average bat speed from the right side that produced multiple line drives back up the middle, into left-center field during batting practice. Still more power to unlock. Defensively he fields the ball under control and with confidence.
2028 MIF/RHP/OF Cooper Pote (Out-of-Door Academy, FL)
Uncommitted. Lean frame with present above average athleticism. Above average arm that translated to multiple spots during defensive drills. Topped out at 87 mph on his throws from the outfield while topping out at 83 mph on his throws across the infield. Upside arm on the mound as well. Showed a confident approach from the right side of the plate that produced some hard hit line drives into the gaps. Still more power to come.
