OBA Media Day Standouts Part 1
This past week Ostinger Baseball Academy held their 2021 Media Day which was exclusively covered by Diamond Prospect Media. OBA 2022, OBA 2023, OBA 2024, and OBA 16u went through a pro-style workout for their position players followed by bullpens for pitchers. There were many players who stood out amongst our scouting staff throughout the day not only from a committed perspective, but many uncommitted players who should be closely followed throughout the summer as well.
Below is Part 1 of 2 of our 2021 OBA Media Day Standouts which includes a breakdown of the player listed. Please give us a follow on our social media platforms listed below as we post content with highlights, clips, and announcements on past and upcoming events.
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2022 OF John Whitney (Venice HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds on an athletic frame with a stronger lower half. Was the top two-way standout at the event, showing potential both on the mound and offensively. Loose, quick hands from the left side that finds the barrel for loud, hard contact. Works gap-to-gap and can really drive the ball. Also was up to 90 mph on the mound with more to come, feel for his offspeed stuff. Up to 91 mph from the outfield and clocked in at 6.60 seconds for his 60 yard dash time. Whitney has multiple above average tools and is one of the top uncommitted follows for his class.
2023 RHP/OF Evan Dempsey (Newsome HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds on a projectable frame. Showed lots of upside with a feel for all three pitches. Fastball mostly sat 85-87 mph, touching 88 with run along with a nasty curveball at 71-72 mph consistently at 3200+ RPMs and a changeup at 77-78 mph. The breaking ball is already above average and has the ability to be a weapon with two strikes. Also was up to 89 mph from the outfield, displayed present bat speed from the left side of the plate. Strong follow.
2022 RHP Evan Chrest (Wharton HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot, 168 pounds on a lean frame that projects to still fill out. Showed a good mix of his pitches, running his fastball up to 89 mph, sitting 86-88 along with an above average curveball at 76-77 mph that consistently came in at 3100-3200 RPMs. Changeup sat 79-80 mph and showed similar fastball arm speed. More in the tank and another uncommitted arm to follow closely.
2023 C Dylan LaPointe (Durant HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds with present strength throughout. Really stood out offensively as he produced plenty of hard line drives up the middle and to the pull side during batting practice. Consistently registered exit velocity numbers in the 93-96 mph range throughout his round including his top reading at 100 mph. Registered pop times in the 2.01-2.06 seconds range with accurate throws to the bag. Catcher with present juice offensively.
2022 IF Avery Cherry (Seffner Christian, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-9, 151 pounds on a lean, athletic frame with quick twitch actions. Clocked in with one of the Top 3 60 yard dash times on the day at 6.78 seconds. Offensively, he displayed fast hands and produced multiple line drives during batting practice. Throws from the outfield topped out at 80 mph.
2022 OF Drake Harman (Bloomingdale HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 172 pounds on a lean, athletic frame. Still room to add physicality which will translate to jumps in power offensively. Took a couple of impressive rounds of batting practice, finding the barrel often for loud, hard line drives into the gaps. Works from a high hand set with a level to uphill path through the zone from the left side. Also clocked in at 6.95 seconds for his 60 yard dash.
2023 MIF Arjun Nimmala (Strawberry Crest HS, FL)
FSU commit. Currently stands at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds on an athletic frame that will continue to become more physical as he fills out. Really stood out offensively when he showed off easy, big time power during batting practice as the ball really jumped off the bat. Drove the ball deep to left and left-center field with several going over the wall in a hurry. Registered a top exit velocity at 100 mph. Also clocked in at 6.96 seconds for his 60 yard dash time.
2023 C/RHP Bryan Rivera (Leto HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot, 185 pounds with present physicality throughout. During batting practice he consistently drove the ball gap-to-gap and the ball really jumped off the bat as he registered numerous exit velocities at 90+ mph, including his best one at 95. Showed some present power as well. Above average arm from behind the plate that showed plenty of carry with accuracy on his throws as his pop times were in the 1.92-1.99 seconds range. On the mound he mostly sat 83-85 mph with his fastball, touching 86. Rivera has multiple above average tools and is a strong follow going into the summer.
2022 C Joey Daniels (Steinbrenner HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds and has noticeably leaned out which has translated in a few ways to the field. During batting practice he showed above average bat speed and was able to drive the ball out in front back up the middle for hard hits. Showed some pull side pop as well. Defensively, he showed strong wrists and receives the ball well. Willing to give up his body to block the ball and stays squared, stays in a quality position to make the throw.
2024 OF/RHP Ryan Spitzer (Newsome HS, FL)
Uncommitted. Currently stands at 6-foot, 165 pounds on an athletic frame with plenty of room to fill out. Stood out all over throughout the day as he showed above average arm strength, topping out at 85 mph on his throws from the outfield. Ran it up to 83 mph on the mound as well. Offensively, he displayed fast hands through the zone and was able to make loud, hard contact on the ball. Swings with intent and registered his top exit velocity at 87 mph
