Sanford Standouts Part 2

This past weekend, many of the top 14u teams from throughout the state of Florida came together in Sanford, FL for the PGBA 14u Fall Nationals. Florida Baseball Heaven would eventually come away with the championship win, but throughout the event there were multiple players who made an impact.

Below is a break down of several players who stood out on the second day of the event (Sunday) with a brief report on each:

2023 SS Deven Gonzalez (Florida Baseball Heaven)
Continued to be a difference maker at the top of the lineup. Very confident hitter who shows advanced defensive actions in the field as well. Drove one into left field for an RBI single during one of his at-bats and then followed it up by lacing one into the left-center field gap for an RBI double. Gamer. Strong follow. Impacts the game in multiple ways.

2024 OF Ryan McCracken (Gatorball)
Continued to be one of the top offensive standouts of the weekend as he started the day by lacing a ball over the right fielder’s head for a leadoff double. Followed it up in a later at-bat where he drove a ball back up the middle for a single.

2024 C Grant Bowers (Gatorball)
Bowers made his presence felt in multiple ways behind the weekend, most notably defensively. Was a wall behind the plate, keeping everything in front of him while showing athleticism along with a strong and accurate. During one of his at-bats he drove a ball back up the middle for a single before following it up with a double on a ball hit over the left fielder’s head. Shows a higher level baseball IQ and has plenty of confidence. 

2024 RHP Brooks Wright (5 Star National) 
Came in for relief and displayed a very quick arm, using exclusively the fastball and sitting 81-83 mph, touching 84 with life. Induced multiple swings and misses, when he stays in line shows a command of the zone. Much more to come and a strong follow.

2024 IF Maddix Simpson (Florida Baseball Heaven) 
Tall, athletic frame with advanced actions. Barreled it up multiple times throughout the weekend for hard contact. Laced a ball into right-center field for a single and then followed it up by crushing a ball deep into left-center field for an RBI double during the day Strong follow.

2024 IF Jack Waddingham (FTB)
Above average bat speed, shows a feel for the barrel from the left side. Level to uphill finish on his swing. During one of his at-bats he got ahold of one and crushed a ball over the center fielder’s head for a standup double and then followed it up by driving one through the right side of the infield for an RBI single. Aggressive runner. 

2024 IF Gian De Castro (Florida Hurricanes)
Continued to stand out offensively and shows big power potential from the left side. Laced one deep into the right-center field gap for a triple during the game. Ball really jumps off the bat. Strong bat to follow moving forward. 

2024 OF Sean Benjamin (5 Star National)
Quick hands offensively, shows present athleticism. Drove a ball the other way down the right field line and made a hard turn at first base before hustling his way to second base to stretch it into a double. 

2023 RHP Skylar Stinson (Team Orlando) 
Long limbs with a projectable frame. Loose arm that had his fastball up to 80 mph, showed a feel for the slider at 73-74 mph. Will be an arm to watch moving forward, especially as he fills out his frame.